Home euthanasia for dogs and cats

When to consider euthanasia

There is rarely a single right day. Most owners decide with their vet, based on whether their pet is still eating, moving, comfortable and enjoying the things that matter to them. A vet can visit for a quality-of-life consultation first, so you can talk it through without deciding on the spot.

If your pet is suddenly in severe pain, collapsed or struggling to breathe, contact your practice or its out-of-hours service immediately rather than waiting for a booked visit.

What happens on the day

Every vet works a little differently, but a home euthanasia usually follows the same calm sequence:

• The vet arrives, talks you through what will happen and answers any questions. You will usually be asked to sign a consent form.
• Your pet is given a sedative injection, so they become sleepy and relaxed. This takes a few minutes and many owners stay close, stroking and talking to their pet.
• Once your pet is deeply sedated, the vet gives an overdose of anaesthetic, usually into a vein. Your pet loses consciousness within seconds and passes away peacefully, normally within a minute or two.
• The vet listens to the heart to confirm your pet has died. Their eyes may stay open, and there can be a reflex breath or muscle twitch afterwards; these are not signs of pain or awareness.
• You can take as much time as you need. The vet then helps with aftercare.

Who carries out a home euthanasia

A veterinary surgeon. The medicine used is a controlled drug, and the RCVS controlled drugs guidance states that it is not appropriate for a vet to send a veterinary nurse out on a home visit to euthanise an animal with a controlled drug. A nurse may attend alongside the vet to help, but the vet carries it out.

How much does home euthanasia cost in the UK?

Published UK prices for home euthanasia generally run from £250 to £485, rising with the size of the animal. One practice lists £280 for a pet under 25kg, £350 for 25 to 40kg and £400 or more above that; another lists £425 for a cat or a dog up to 25kg and £485 for a larger dog. Urgent and out-of-hours visits cost more, typically £350 to £450 and upwards.

Most quotes at this level include sedation beforehand and unhurried time to say goodbye. Cremation and aftercare are usually charged separately. Our home vet visit cost guide sets these figures alongside routine home visit prices.

Aftercare: cremation and burial

Ask about aftercare when you book, so you do not have to decide in the moment. The usual options are:

• Communal cremation: your pet is cremated with other animals and the ashes are not returned. This is the lowest-cost option.
• Individual cremation: your pet is cremated alone and the ashes are returned to you, often in a casket or scatter tube.
• Burial at home: some owners bury their pet in their own garden. Check local guidance before you do, as it depends on where you live and the ground.

How to prepare

• Choose a quiet, comfortable spot: your pet's bed, a favourite blanket, or the garden on a dry day.
• Decide who will be present. Children can be told honestly and simply, and allowed to choose whether to stay.
• Other pets can often be present afterwards; many owners feel it helps them understand.
• Have a towel or blanket ready, and decide on aftercare beforehand.
• Tell the vet about any medical history and whether your pet has been eating.

Booking a vet for a home euthanasia

Search by postcode to see whether an RCVS-registered vet on Pet Care at Door covers your address, and their full price before you book. If no vet covers your area yet, your own practice may offer home visits. For a gentler first step, a vet can visit for a quality-of-life consultation.