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Featuring Demian Dressler, DVM and Sue Ettinger, DVM, Dip. ACVIM (Oncology), authors of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide

Home Euthanasia for Dogs

Updated: November 14th, 2018

Summary

If you’re considering home euthanasia dogs will thank you. It turns out, they understand what is happening, and want you there with them.

Veterinarians have privately known for years that dogs are scared, and look for their humans when they are being put to sleep. As one broken-hearted veterinarian wrote on social media recently, animals “don’t understand why you left them.” We’ve heard the same from veterinarians writing into our site — when it comes to leaving this world, home euthanasia dogs just seem to do better.

There is no doubt in my mind that dogs have emotional needs that we have a responsibility to meet. If you are at the point of considering euthanasia for your pup, consider doing it at home.

Home Euthanasia = Good Death

The word euthanasia literally translates to “good death.” Whew. That’s a tough concept, isn’t it? But a good death is entirely possible.

A good death is simple, relatively painless, and peaceful. When my aunt died of cancer in 2005, she died with her entire family around her and a member of the local chamber orchestra playing the harp. There were quiet tears on the part of my mother and other people in the room, but they were all fully present as my aunt slipped from this world to the next. The passing was quiet and lovely. And, of course, devastating.

Luckily, there were hospice workers present in the room, ready to take care of the transportation and other necessary duties. My aunt’s family had plenty of space to grieve without having to worry about “doing too much.”

That was a good death. It is what I would wish for any of my loved ones. Particularly, my dogs.

Home Euthanasia Dogs — Veterinary Services

Many veterinarians now offer home euthanasia appointments with similar services to what you would expect from Hospice. Your own veterinarian can arrange for services at home, or refer you to someone else who will perform them. You can also contact Lap of Love, a national organization that will connect you to local resources (see video below).

When you use home euthanasia dogs don’t have to go to the vet — eliminating a major source of stress. Having someone come to the home is a lot less stressful than going the vet and being in a cage or a cold table!

Typical home euthanasia services are individualized for you, your dog, and your home situation. You can basically expect the following:

  • A good overview of the whole process, with the veterinarian answering your questions in as much or as little detail as you need.
  • The use of a mild sedative to make your dog very relaxed and pain-free, calm and comfortable. Your pup will usually sleep after a little while.
  • The actual euthanasia injection, usually pentobarbital.
  • There is often a clay paw print taken, and sometimes a lock of fur, so you have a memento.
  • A death certificate that memorializes what happened.
  • Transportation, if you want it, for cremation.
  • Updating any other veterinarians who need to know of your dog’s passing.

Here’s an excellent video from the founder of Lap of Love about what to expect at the moment itself:

Everyone Can Say Goodbye In Their Own Way

Everyone handles grief differently, and having home euthanasia allows each individual to make their decisions. Other pets often seem to want to be there for their pack member when they pass, and we know for certain that they understand the concept of death. By letting your other dogs and cats inspect the body, you help them to process the knowledge that their buddy has gone on from this life, and to start their own grieving.

Yes, animals grieve. From what I’ve personally seen, animals seem to understand death — and how to handle it — better than we do. So if you feel like your other pets should be there, they should have the option.

Of course, other family members, friends, and even children might want to be there, too. I was far away when my aunt died, and one of my only real life regrets is that I was not able to be in that room as she passed. This is a very important, sensitive decision, but one of the nice things about home euthanasia is that you have control over who is there.

You’re not in the back office, with only room for one or two extra people.

You’re at home, cuddling your dog, holding her while she passes. Where on earth else should you be?

Let your beautiful and beloved face be the last thing he sees.

Many blessings to you,

Molly Jacobson

 

Leave a Comment





  1. BrittsDeux on October 25, 2018 at 2:17 pm

    Thanks for sharing. I have used home euthanasia for my past 3 dogs and always will if the circumstances allow. Most recently, I prepared a pallet for Roundabout (plastic liner between her dog bed and fleece) and when my vet arrived, she walked right over to it and laid down looking up at us. He and I exchanged a glance and through my tears I said, “she’s ready.” I had the song “soon and very soon” playing for her and petted and whispered to her while my veterinarian gave her the shots. RIP Cherokee Baylee’s Roundabout (2/5/08-5/11/18) #osteosarcomasucks

  2. Diane Lynn on October 23, 2018 at 11:55 am

    I laid on the floor nose to nose,patting her ears, we had jazz playing in the background as we often did. Dr Jan and I told stories as my husband sat reassuring her and being her rock. When she passed my husband and I felt instant unexpected relief. We could not have done better for her. She was calm and happy, I gave her three liver treats for her journey that I popped into her mouth. I don’t know what is after life on earth but J know that doing this for her in this life was the best that I could do for her. Thank you for your comfortable emails in the months leading up to my Mia’s passing.
    Diane Lynn.

  3. Lois Tickle on October 23, 2018 at 6:18 am

    having put 10 animals to sleep over the years, dogs and cats, I can tell you the stress level in both the caretaker and the animal is significantly less. The cats much prefer it, esp if your vet can provide a small amount of something like bupronex for the caretaker to give about an hour before the vet comes.

    Dec 1 2017 we were putting our beloved cocker spaniel Cyrene to sleep. We would always put the other dogs in the car to reduce stress levels for the animal being euthanized, so less barking. Cyrene passed before the vet got there; her brother Thor was laying on the couch right above her. The second she died he picked up his head, sighed deeply, and lay his head back on the couch.

    Unfortunately he grieved for her terribly. I’m still not sure he’s over it.

  4. Cynthia McFadden on October 23, 2018 at 4:25 am

    I could not agree with this more. My last two dogs had home euthanasia, and I don’t think I’ll ever do it differently again (if the situation allows). They were on their own dog bed, in their own home, with familiar smells and sounds, and the family they loved near. I dimmed the lights, turned on nice calming music, and gave them both special treats and love while the vet set up. It was calm and peaceful. My last girl passed just a month ago with her head in my hands. And after each was loaded into the car for transport to the crematorium, I could mourn in privacy at home. I found it much easier to come to grips with the actual act (because second guessing ourselves is a big part), knowing I was doing everything I could to make it stress, fear, and pain-free. We owe it to them.

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