Back in a much simpler time it was common for family animals to die at home, whether from natural causes, a shot from the family rifle due to disease or old age or a needle from the bag of a vet who routinely traveled from house to house and farm to farm. The rise of clinic-based veterinary care meant that for years pets died at the vets office in a cold sterile room with the door closed with all sorts of activity going on on the other side of the door. For a few minutes you have the privacy to say goodbye and then you open the door and there is a new puppy in the waiting room or a family bringing their pet in for routine visit.
Veterinarians are realizing that owners want to be alone when they say goodbye and don’t want to put their sick or old dog through the stress of going to the vet and waiting in the waiting room with other dogs and people around. They realize that people want to say goodbye in private not just behind a closed door but behind the closed door of their homes. Veterinarians are listening and more and more are offering at home Euthanasia services it might come at a price but it affords the owners the goodbye they create themselves. Whether it is on the floor around the pets favorite bed or in their arms on the couch they determine the setting.
Its a more quiet and some think dignified way to say goodbye to your family pet. If you would like to say goodbye at home ask your veterinarian now if they offer this service to their patients families. Some vets will not advertise the service but will come to your house if you request it and talk about it in advance. If they do not you can check to see if there is a provider in your area by visiting the In Home Pet Euthanasia Directory
I did this w/my cat, Bobo when he passed in 2007. I honestly don’t know if I could ever do it again.
It took me forever to be able to sit on the part of the couch that Bobo was on when he passed.
My husband and I had to wait in our hallway while they shaved Bobo’s legs to prep him for the injection. I can STILL hear his scared meows and I am about to cry like I did the day it happened. It was awful.
There IS NO EASY WAY
Luckily I am a vet tech and my pets have been to work woth me numerous times so I’d opt to take them to work when the time comes.
Please keep in mind that pets sometimes soil themselves during the process, so if you are having this done at home, place the pet on something you don’t mind having messed up.
I plan on doing this when the time comes.