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

Saying goodbye to your beloved dog 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 dog when a good quality of life is no longer possible, you can provide a peaceful farewell in the comfort of their own home.

Emotional Challenges and Considerations

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

Most pet owners feel a tremendous about 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 dog; their 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 dog’s prognosis better than anyone. They will be able to let you know if your dog 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 dog. Consider joining support groups for grieving pet owners. At RYP, we offer pet loss support and grief counselling services to help you cope through the difficult emotions of losing your beloved dog. 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 Dog’s In-Home Euthansia

How can you prepare for in-home dog 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 dog feels comfortable — their favourite spot in the house. Surround them with their favourite objects like blankets, toys and treats that bring them joy. You can also create a personalised safe space for your beloved dog 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 pet relax into a peaceful sleep. Once asleep, a gentle anaesthesic will be given, allowing your pet to pass in their sleep. Rest assured that dogs 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 Dog 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 dog 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, you 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 little detail that 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 dog their favourite treats.
Soon after, the sedation will be given and you can sit with your dog while they become sleepy and relaxed. They will want to get comfortable and lie down on their 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 pets individual circumstance and disease process.
Once you’ve had enough time to say goodbye, the euthanasia is carried out by administering too much of gentle anaesthetic into the IV line.
Shortly after receiving this medication, your beloved dog will go into a deeper and deeper sleep, their heart will slow down and they will pass away without feeling anything at all.

What Happens After Euthanasia ?

After your beloved dog has been put to sleep, deciding on their 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 our 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 dogs 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 Dog’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 their life — a heartfelt way of remembering all those beautiful moments shared together.
Planting trees or flowers: Choose special plants in remembrance of your beloved dog by dedicating part of your garden space just for them — 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 dog throughout your journey together — a choice made out of compassion, selflessness and love.