By Dr. Karen Whala, Co-founder of CodaPet
Your pets incredible loyalty, love and devotion makes it heart wrenchingly hard to ever consider having to face the decision to euthanize. It’s considered the most difficult decision you’ll ever have to make for your pet, but as a responsible, caring and loving pet owner, your pet relies on you to ensure their well-being and prevent their suffering. Sometimes the most loving option for your furry companion’s well-being is to make the difficult decision to end their suffering and the dying process by considering humane euthanasia. It is a ‘gift’ when otherwise nothing more can be done to alleviate their suffering.
While many pet owners prefer to have their pets euthanized at a veterinary clinic, some choose to do it at home. Here are some reasons why you may want to consider euthanizing your pet at home.
- Comfort of Your Pet
One of the biggest advantages of euthanizing your pet at home is that they will be in a familiar and comfortable environment. Pets can often feel anxious or stressed when taken to a veterinary clinic, which can make their last moments even more difficult. By choosing to have your pet euthanized at home, you can ensure that they are in a place where they feel safe and secure. Another advantage is that euthanizing at home alleviates the stress and difficulty of having to transport a larger pet that can’t walk or a cat that hates car rides. There is truly no place like home for many pets and this especially goes for pets that are terminally ill and elderly.
- Privacy
Another advantage of having your pet euthanized at home is that you and your family can experience true privacy during this difficult time. Many pet owners find it challenging to cope with the emotions associated with euthanasia, and being able to do it in the comfort of their own home can make the process easier.
- Control over the Process
When you choose to have your pet euthanized at home, you have more control over the process. You can choose who will be present, including other household pets or children, during the procedure and how you want to say goodbye to your beloved pet. This can help you feel more in control during this difficult time.
- Convenience
Finally, having your pet euthanized at home can be more convenient than taking them to a veterinary clinic. Oftentimes, an in-home euthanasia veterinarian can offer more appointment times than a traditional clinic, sometimes offering their services on weekends or evenings. Of course this depends on the provider’s schedule in your area.
It’s important to note that only a veterinarian has the qualifications and license to provide at home pet euthanasia services and thus can provide guidance and support on whether it is time. Your veterinarian, along with this quality of life assessment, can help provide you the tools to determine if euthanasia is the best option for your pet.
In conclusion, euthanizing a beloved pet is likely the most difficult decision you will ever have to make regarding your pet, but choosing to do it at home can offer several advantages. It can provide peace, comfort and privacy for both you and your pet, give you more control over the process, and be more convenient. It can help make a heart wrenching decision a little less so by knowing you’re giving your pet a Final Gift of peacefully passing at home.