Euthanasia ('putting to sleep') is the term used by vets for the process of preventing the suffering of an animal which is too old or sick to have a happy and fulfilled life. It is never an easy decision and many owners understandably delay making it for as long as possible. Pain is not the only form of suffering, quality of life is important too and there are a number of situations in which euthanasia is the kindest option for a pet.

Consider euthanasia if they are:

• Suffering untreatable pain from a large tumour.
• No longer able to eat or drink normally.
• Unable to breathe properly because their lungs and heart are diseased.
• No longer able to empty their bowels or bladder without pain or they are incontinent.
• Unable to stand or move normally.
• So blind or deaf that they cannot cope with everyday living.
• If the emotional or financial demands of caring for your pet are more than you can manage and re-homing is not deemed a suitable option.

What to expect

Your vet may shave the fur from a patch of skin on one of your cat or dog's front legs, or an ear-vein in rabbits and insert a needle into a vein. An overdose of an anaesthetic drug which makes your pet lose consciousness (and ability to feel pain or fear) will be administered. It will be asleep in a very short time (usually a matter of seconds). Breathing and heart beat will stop a few seconds later. If your pet is fearful or aggressive it will often be given a sedative before the fatal injection is given.

The process is completely painless. In its last moments your pet may give a gasp. They are asleep and the sound is caused by a muscular spasm which is perfectly normal. Other muscles in your pet's body may also twitch and, as its body relaxes, its bowels or bladder may empty.

Owner Presence

Discuss in advance with your vet whether you wish to be with your pet when it is put to sleep. It may be less stressful for your pet to be held in your arms and to be able to hear a familiar voice. You may be comforted by knowing that your old friend suffered no pain and met a peaceful end. However, if you are frightened or anxious your pet may sense this and may also become upset.

Where to have a Pet Put to sleep

Vets usually prefer to see their patients in their own clinic where all the equipment and trained staff they need are close at hand. However, euthanasia is a special situation for both the vet and yourself and if you want to have your animal put to sleep in its own home then we are happy to arrange a visit to do this.

Time for Euthanasia

It is you who must decide whether or when euthanasia is the right thing for your pet. Your vet will be able to advise you on what the options are and make a sensible recommendation but he/she will not make the decision for you. It is rare that a decision has to be made on the spur of the moment, so it is much better to make your choice after talking it over with your vet and with other members of your family. It is important that all members of the family are involved in the decision-making process and that they are all in agreement. Do not exclude children from this. Talking with them before the decision has been made may help them to come to terms with it. If you are not sure it is the correct decision, it may be better to delay euthanasia.

Grieving for a Pet

It is perfectly natural to feel grief after losing a pet and there is no shame in feeling strong emotions. Sometimes the first response to a pet's death is anger or guilt that more could not have been done to save them. The depth of friendship with a pet may be greater than that of many human friends and a period of mourning is quite normal. However, people experience grief in different ways and there are no hard and fast rules about what you will feel. It may help to have someone to take you home after your pet has been put to sleep so that you do not have to return to an empty house. Talking to friends and family is important, especially your children (if you have any).

Helping Children Understand

Loosing a pet is often the first time that a child becomes aware of death. It is usually best to be honest with a child and explain the truth as clearly as you can. Children may want time to say goodbye to their pet and seeing the dead body may help them understand what has happened. Marking the occasion with some kind of memorial such as a burial can be very therapeutic. Talking about the happy times you shared will often help them and yourself come to terms with the change in your lives. Children frequently get over the loss of a pet much more quickly than adults.

Burial/ Cremation Options for the Body

Your vet will explain what can be done with the body of your pet. They can arrange for your pet to be cremated, or you may choose to bury the body yourself. If you want to bury your dog in your garden, check first with your local authority that this is allowed and make sure that the body is buried at least 2 feet (about 60 cm) below the surface. If your dog is cremated, it is possible for your vet to arrange for you to have its ashes returned but you must inform them of your wishes at the time of euthanasia. The Pet Crematorium that we use gives you the option of attending the cremation. Whether you wish to attend or not, you will have a choice of caskets in which the ashes are returned. Please ask at reception for details of these. Pets that are not individually cremated will have their ashes scattered in a garden of remembrance at the crematorium and it is possible to visit this.

Getting Another Pet

After the experience of losing a pet some people say they never want to own another. However, many others find that getting another pet helps them deal with their grief. The relationship you build with a different pet will never be the same as the one you had but can be equally rewarding.