Euthanasia for pets - at home or at vets office?

JubalJubal
in General

I'm about to shell out a stupid amount of money to have a vet come to the house to put down an older pets whose time has come. Over the years I've had to take pets to the vet for that last trip, and avoiding the pets stress & fear in being at the vets office that last time is worth the $$ tag to me.

For comparison, the cost to take a pet to the vet for this is around $100 or so vs $400-$600 for the mobile service.

For the pet owners on here, at what point is the difference in price too much to justify having this done at home vs going to the vet?

Comments

  • SweetPeaJenSweetPeaJen

    I was adamant about having a vet come to our house for our black lab that passed in October. She absolutely hated the vet, and would get so stressed out about being there. I didn't want her last moments to be filled with fear. So I found someone who came out to our house and we helped her cross the Rainbow Bridge in her favorite spot in our back yard. It was worth it to me for her peace of mind, and ours. I don't regret it at all.

  • JET2024JET2024

    The dog I had the vets put down at the clinic was the one who loved going to the vets. All others the lack of distress was worth the expense.

    I’m sorry you are losing your companion.

  • TxTomTxTom

    Sorry to hear about this, @Jubal .

    I must echo the above sentiments--the comfort and familiarity of home for a four-legged family member trumps price.

  • [Deleted User]SeriousSnuggler (deleted user)

    I'm so sorry to hear this, losing your pet is so hard and the grief is something that is often made to seem trivial to others.

    I will echo what others have said about the cost being worth it for the comfort to your pet.

    However, I want to add that it is also for your benefit as well. At the vet, you feel rushed to say goodbye to your companion. When they come to your home you can take the time you need to let go.

    Grief is an individual process and everyone handles it differently. Take care of yourself and your family as they deal with this transition.

  • WestsideMarcWestsideMarc

    Can’t say it any better than @SweetPeaJen did!

  • [Deleted User]smokeybear82 (deleted user)
    edited March 2024

    We spent the extra money last year for our cat Chancho. He was an indoor/outdoor cat in his youth but when we got him he became a fully indoor cat, and he seemed to love the life but he spent a time watching the squirrels and bunnies in the yard. For the last hour we took him out in the spring sun and let him lay in the grass; he hadn't the energy to play much but he laid there and soaked up the warm sun and ate some grass and took in all of the pets we could give him. When the vet showed up he was as calm and content as he could be. It was heartbreaking to say goodbye, but that he seemed so warm and happy for the first time in a while when he finally slipped away made it sting less.

    It was around $400 total, as opposed to about $150 at the vet's office, but I would gladly have spent $1000+ knowing what I know now. I am so grateful we decided to go that route.

  • CuddleHugs01234CuddleHugs01234

    @smokeybear82 Ahhh, that sounds like a good last hour. 💕

  • JubalJubal

    Well, as it turned out, the at-home fee was money well spent. There's something to be said for letting your dog or cat be able to roam the yard minutes before the vet has to do the final tasks.

  • TxTomTxTom

    It's at least reassuring knowing that it worked out well. But...

    ..letting your dog or cat be able to roam the yard minutes before...

    Oh, boy. That inevitability really gets to me.

  • CuddleHugs01234CuddleHugs01234

    @Jubal Hugs! I’m sorry about your loss.

  • Parad0xParad0x

    When each of my two cats reached the end of their long lives, the final rest came at the vet. In both cases, I took them in the hope that something could be done to help them; to be sure it really was their time. Neither was afraid or stressed, and the clinic had a comfort room where I could spend as much time as I needed with each of them. If circumstances had been different, I would definitely have paid several times more for either of them to be put to sleep in the comfort of our home.

    I am so sorry you are losing your beloved companion. You are making the right choice.

  • MorpheusMorpheus

    Since my wife and I have been married, we lost 4 dogs and 2 cats and any way you slice it, it just sucks. I’m sorry.

Sign In or Register to comment.