Putting Your Cat Down at Home with In-Home Cat Euthanasia

Saying goodbye to your beloved cat is never easy. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, guilty, and full of doubt during such an emotional time. However, by considering in-home euthanasia for your cat when a good quality of life is no longer possible, you can provide a peaceful farewell in the comfort of your own home.

Emotional Challenges and Considerations

When faced with the difficult decision of euthanasia for your cat, it’s important to acknowledge and address the emotional toll it will take on any pet parent. Grief is an inevitable part of losing a cherished cat. Our pets are a part of our family and bring immense joy into our lives. Feeling grief, sadness or depression after losing a beloved companion is completely normal.

Most pet owners feel a tremendous amount of guilt when making this decision- it is natural to question whether they did everything possible for their loyal friend, and if there was more that could have been done. Remember that making this decision comes from a place of love and compassion for your cat; the quality of life should always be at the forefront when deciding what is the kindest option.

Doubt may also creep in during these tough times. You are likely to wonder if it truly is “the right time” or if there are any other options available aside from euthanasia.

During these challenging moments, seeking professional help can be crucially important both before and after making this difficult decision.

Consult Your Veterinarian: Your veterinarian has extensive knowledge about your animal’s wellbeing and understands your cat’s prognosis better than anyone. They will be able to let you know if your cat is likely experiencing pain or suffering, and this information can help with your decision.
Seek Emotional Support and Professional Counselling: Reach out to friends who have experienced a similar situation or understand the bond you share with your cat. Consider joining support groups for grieving pet owners. At Rest Your Paws, we offer pet loss support and grief counselling services to help you cope with the difficult emotions of losing your beloved cat. Additionally, our ‘End of Life Care Pack’ includes valuable resources specifically designed to assist with ‘anticipatory grief.’
Talk Openly With Family Members: Discussing emotions openly with family can be a powerful way to process grief together. Share your thoughts, concerns, and feelings with loved ones.

How to Prepare for Your Cat’s In-Home Euthanasia

How can you prepare for in-home cat euthanasia? First and foremost, make sure you have a trusted palliative care veterinarian to guide you through every step with compassion and empathy. Palliative care vets are trained specifically to guide you through the process and help you to make the final goodbye into a personal and memorable experience.

Creating a peaceful environment is essential during this time. Choose a quiet area where your cat feels comfortable— his or her favourite spot in the house. Surround your pet with favourite objects like blankets, toys and treats that bring joy. You can also create a personalised safe space for your beloved cat with special touches like soft music, candles and even a photo slideshow to remind you of all the beautiful memories together.

The procedure involves administering a gentle sedation medication to help your cat relax into a peaceful sleep. Once asleep, a gentle anaesthetic will be given, allowing your cat to pass in sleep. Rest assured that cats do not experience any pain during euthanasia; it is a peaceful and humane process designed to ensure their comfort until the very end.

What Happens During Cat Euthanasia

We understand that discussing the details of the procedure can be difficult. At Rest Your Paws, it is our priority to ensure that this is a smooth and comfortable process and that your cat will feel calm and surrounded by so much love.

One important thing to decide is whether you and any other family members would like to be present during the euthanasia. This is a personal decision and ultimately you need to do what feels right for you. If you are struggling with this decision it may be helpful to speak to your veterinarian and better understand the process. From our experience, once pet owners understand just how peaceful and gentle the process is, they will likely feel more comfortable being present.
During the appointment, our veterinarians will answer any questions you may have and explain the process in as much or as little detail as you’d like.
We generally explain it as a three-step process and guide you through each step making sure you’re comfortable at each stage and have had enough time to say goodbye.
Prior to having the first sedation medication, this is a wonderful time to give your beloved cat his or her favourite treats.
Soon after, the sedation will be given and you can sit with your cat while he or she becomes sleepy and relaxed. They will want to get comfortable and lie down on his or her favourite bed or blanket.
Once asleep, this is when we can make some beautiful keepsakes such as ink paw prints or collect a lock of fur.
From here, the veterinarian will shave a small patch of fur and place an IV line. There are scenarios when the vet will choose not to place an IV line and this will be based on your cat’s individual circumstance and disease process.
Once you have taken your time to say goodbye, euthanasia is carried out by administering the required volume of gentle anaesthetic into the IV line.
Shortly after receiving this medication, your beloved cat will go into a deeper and deeper sleep, the heart will slow down and will pass without feeling anything at all.

What Happens After Euthanasia?

After your beloved cat has been put to sleep, deciding on the final arrangements is an important consideration. There are several options available to you:

Cremation: There are two options for cremation, and you can discuss with your veterinarian whether you would like a private individual cremation or a group cremation with other family-loved pets.

Burial: There is also the option of a home burial or your veterinarian can provide guidance on local pet cemeteries. It’s essential to consult with your local council to ensure compliance with any legal regulations regarding pet burial.

If you find it too hard to make all these decisions, most vets are able to hold on to your cat’s body temporarily, allowing you more time for careful consideration of the available options.

When considering the costs associated with cremation, it’s advisable to check whether your pet insurance plan covers this aspect or discuss any financial concerns directly with your veterinarian.

Honouring Your Beloved Cat’s Memories and Supporting Grieving Family Members

Below are some ideas to support you and your family through the stages of grief and to help you assist children and other pets during this grieving process:

Create a memorial: Consider compiling photographs into a photo album or creating an online memorial page dedicated specifically to celebrating your cherished cat’s life — a heartfelt way of remembering all those beautiful moments shared together.
Planting trees or flowers: Choose special plants in remembrance of your beloved cat by dedicating part of your garden space just for him or her — a living testament symbolising eternal love between you and your companion.
Seek support from others who understand: Rest Your Paws offers grief counselling services to provide guidance and support during this difficult time. Additionally, we invite you to join our Facebook Grief Support Group, where you can connect with others who have experienced pet loss and share cherished memories. Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends and family members who have gone through similar situations for guidance on your journey towards healing.
Supporting children through grief: Encourage open conversations with your children about their feelings. Allow them to express emotions freely, answer questions honestly but gently, and consider providing age-appropriate books or resources that can help them understand and cope better. Our End of Life Care pack also includes dedicated sections specifically designed for children and addressing the topic of pet loss.
Supporting other pets: Other pets also experience grief when losing a companion. Be attentive to any behavioural changes they may exhibit – offer extra love, attention, and reassurance during this difficult time.

Remember, grief is normal after such a profound loss. It’s okay to feel sadness, guilt or doubt — it means you loved deeply! Trust yourself in making the decision based on what was best for your beloved cat throughout your journey together — a choice made out of compassion, selflessness and love.