The diminishing quality of life of the furry friend with painful old age consequences is an extremely difficult phase for a pet owner. When your dog suffers from illnesses and no medications contribute to improving his health, it becomes essential to explore a few options that can lead to a peaceful end for your beloved pet. Euthanasia is one such way that can put your dog down. It can be a heart-wrenching decision for you, and therefore, it has to be taken only after understanding every detail. But how much does it cost to put a dog down? Here is detailed information related to euthanasia for dogs and the situations for when to put a dog down.
Euthanizing a Dog: What Does It Mean?
Euthanasia is a medical practice that involves putting a dog to sleep or putting a dog down. It is a procedure vets use to put the dog to sleep humanely. This emotional step is usually taken when a specific ailment drastically reduces the dog’s quality of life and makes them vulnerable to incurable pain. Euthanizing a dog can end this suffering and can provide a painless death to them. Due to this reason, it is considered one of the most peaceful options available to a dog whose chances of recovery are negligible.
No pet lover will ever want to face such a difficult situation, and the guidance of veterinarians becomes crucial at that time. You can consult a vet before making the final decision. However, it is always suggested that putting your dog down is better than seeing them cry due to excessive pain.
When to Euthanize a Dog?
Do you have a question about when to euthanize a dog and why is it necessary? Euthanasia becomes necessary in conditions where the scope of good quality of life is nil and the ability of dogs to enjoy their lives has ended. Veterinarians recommend euthanasia when dogs become old and lose the strength to stand and walk alone. Incurable illnesses and severe pains also force dog owners to take this emotionally difficult step for their dogs. Below are the signs a dog in pain can show and you can decide whether it is the right time for euthanasia or not:
- Continuous pain and difficulty in breathing
- Medicines not working to cure a particular chronic disease
- Loss of ability to control pee and poop
- Not showing interest in eating food
- Excessive weight loss because of frequent diarrhea or vomiting
Here are a few questions also that you can ask yourself to conclude:
- Is your dog’s remaining life free from pain, and can medicine work to give it a better life?
- Is any effective treatment plan available to revive your dog’s spirit to live a happy life? And whether it is financially feasible.
- Does my pet able to urinate/defecate properly? Do they interact and similarly enjoy with humans as earlier?
If the answer to any one of them is NO, then it may be time to consider euthanasia for your dog; therefore, you can consult about it with your veterinarian.
How Does Euthanasia Work?
The procedure of euthanasia can be conducted at your veterinarian’s pet hospital or even at your house. It begins with the veterinarian’s explanation, who will guide you through the entire process. This is also the most appropriate time to request your vet to give you some time alone with your beloved pet. You also have the choice to stay with your dog during the euthanasia process. After this, the vet makes the dog comfortable and uses a sedative injection. This injection causes your dog to lose consciousness and allows the vet to move towards the further procedure.
Then, the vet injects a high dose of a fatal drug, known as sodium pentobarbital, into the dog’s body. It shows its effects quickly and stops the dog’s heartbeat in less than 30 seconds. Your dog will not feel any pain and will fall asleep peacefully. If you wish to bury your dog, then the vet staff can take the dog’s body to the burial ground. For cremation, the vet staff and a pet cremation service company can make the necessary arrangements. You can also check the cost of dog cremation.
How Much Does It Cost to Put a Dog Down?
Wondering how much is it to put a dog down? The average cost of the entire process of euthanasia for dogs can range between $30 and $300. The total dog euthanasia cost depends on a few factors and differs for every individual.
#1 Location
Location is an essential aspect that influences the cost of dog euthanasia. It is because owners can put the dog down at the vet’s hospital or in their own homes by paying extra money. However, it is better to perform it in your house only because it will give you and your dog a few more moments together, and the dog can also feel at ease in familiar sights. Depending on the distance between your house and the organization, the process of at-home euthanasia for dogs can cost up to $300. This cost can be below $100 if you opt to perform this procedure in the vet’s office.
#2 Euthanasia Services
You can also take Euthanasia services from a non-profit organization, which charges much less for this process. If your dog is already familiar with them, then they can provide more comfort to your dog. Organizations like the Anti-Cruelty Society usually demand $30 for these end-of-life services. On the other hand, a vet can charge any amount between $50 and $100. Non-profits can also give flexible payment options to financially weak pet owners.
#3 Post-Euthanasia Procedure
You have the freedom to bury your dog’s body on your own. But if you don’t want to do this heart-breaking task, you can take your vet’s help regarding the same. They can provide you with information regarding the pet cemetery and its cost. Cemetery burials usually cost more than $700, including the charges of digging a grave and a casket. You can also choose dog cremation. The whole cremation costs between $30 and $300.
What is the Cheapest Way to Put a Dog Down?
The cheapest way to put a dog down is to approach nearby veterinarians, non-profit organizations, and other veterinary service companies. You can discuss the cost to euthanize a dog and understand whether they can provide a discount. A few organizations can even do the entire process for free. If you are facing financial problems, it is essential to clarify everything to the service provider. Try rates with different pet hospitals and veterinarians, as the rates can vary largely for a similar type of service.
If you think you can put your dog down by giving them sleeping pills or Benadryl, then you need to understand that it is an unacceptable practice and even illegal in various countries. It can also lead to severe complications in your dog and make them vulnerable to other painful diseases. Therefore, you should take the help of a professional veterinarian for dog euthanasia.
Conclusion
So this is all about How much does it cost to put a dog down? Saying goodbye to a pet dog can be the most difficult situation for a pet owner. It can fill the heart with grief and loads of sad emotions, but it is a crucial phase of the pet ownership journey that every dog owner has to face. The cost to put dog down is not high, and an individual can easily bear it. But looking for different provider options can give less burden to your pockets. However, the cost factor holds no importance in front of the loss of a pet dog as it is something no pet lover can forget.