Pet euthanasia costs

Well, we did have our Westie cremated and ashes returned. But honestly? I have never been convinced that they were his ashes as they weighed almost as much as he did.

So when our little cairn was euthanised we said goodbye and keep him in our memories and remember him with flowers in the garden that flower at the time of his death - mostly primroses.

As to cost?

Well I was a night time emergency so over £500. That was for consultation and euthanised.

We had our last dog cremated, I don't know how much it was, DH insisted.
I actually dislike having his ashes on display, we have a big poster up with pictures & his collar on it to remember him by, plus other photos. It feels weird to me, but DH values them so I tolerate.

My husband came from a family that always buried their pets and then planted a shrub or tree over them.

Over the years many of our cats have been 'put to sleep' due to extreme old age or illness. Up till last time all it took was an injection and they went off to sleep with us stroking them. Always so sad. However, last time it was much more of a palaver. Poor Finn was taken away to have his paw shaved and a line put in. He was then brought back and something injected via this line. He died. I only wish we'd known that the vet now used this stressful procedure. Poor puss he must have wondered what had been going on. We only went ahead in the first place because we wanted to spare him the nightmare of procedures the vet said just might give him a few more months with us. We'd have loved that but not at the cost of his pain and suffering.
It seemed expensive after all the extras but we weren't counting the money. I just wish it had been done more kindly.

I can’t even remember what it cost to put our dog to sleep - I was just so grateful that it was a home visit - far less stress for her. Bless her, she was lying on the grass in the front garden in the sun when the vet arrived - and wagged her poor old tail. 😰
It was the first anniversary of 9/11, too.

What did really upset me, was when I went to collect her ashes. The receptionist, clearly new and clueless - handed them over with a super-bright and chirpy, ‘There you go!’
I was in tears on the way home.

Lathyrus3

My husband came from a family that always buried their pets and then planted a shrub or tree over them.

That’s what we do. We have guinea pigs, goldfish, a cat and 3 small dogs buried in our garden.

My son knew a lad who worked at a vets. He said all the dead animals were just dumped in one big skip round the back of the surgery.

When one of our dogs was PTS aged 18 they asked me if we would like a “nice little cremation” and the cost was shocking. I declined and brought him home and buried him in the garden.

I do know it cost my friend £200 to have her pet goat cremated and that was several years ago.

It’s an awful decision to make and my mantra is a ‘day too soon, is better than an hour too late’. We buried the cats, guinea pigs, rabbits and goldfish in the garden and I think the vet charged £175 to come to the house to euthanize the cats.
A couple of the dogs were buried, but as it was such hard work for DH, we started to have them cremated at the local Pet Crematorium. Depending on the circumstances of their deaths, either the vet sent their remains there (guaranteed our dogs!) or on 2 separate occasions we took them. I think it was about £200 per pet (17kg spaniels) then we collected their ashes from the Crem, in the cheapest container (not the wooden casket with name plate) and scattered their ashes over where the others are buried. £500 should cover a home visit and cremation.
Our dogs weren’t insured, as we had too many, but I believe some policies cover euthanasia.

I have 5 much-loved cats buried in my garden here, surrounded by plants and shrubs.
4 of them had had to be put to sleep at the vet's but I brought them home afterwards and they looked so peaceful. The 5th little cat was found dead by a neighbour after being hit by a car and she is buried in the garden too.

A choice of individual cremation or not here. We paid 250 euros for an individual cremation for our JR.

Don’t go through the vets - look for an independent company or even better do you have a local horse abattoir ? They will often collect and cremate your domestic pet not just horses. They will be alot cheaper than places the vets will use.

Holts is £265 plus vat for a 40kg + dog

Gosh. 'Fallen stock'. Nice way of putting it.

From childhood we have always buried our cats, guinea pigs, goldfish in the garden, with flowers or a rose bush planted on top. All but the last one died at home without a vet, but we took our last cat to the vet who wanted us to leave her with them, and when we said we were taking her home to bury the vet scared us with tales of foxes digging pets up. We took her home anyone and though we do have foxes visit the garden none have tried to dig this cat or our 4 previous cats up.

Aveline, the same happened to me when my last cat was put to sleep. Why they can't realise that it's less kind to the animal than doing the same with owners there to comfort their cat is beyond me.
I changed vets for this & other dissatisfactions.

The cost of having Peggy PTS and cremated (I didn’t want her ashes back) was £150.
I do wish the receptionist had been more tactful though.
She came through to collect the payment while Peggy was next door having the line put in and said, ‘Aw, Bless her! She’s being ever so good.’
I know she meant well but she might just has well have stuck a knife in my heart. 🥲

I've just had an email back from our vets - £480! that's without having the ashes returned to us 😢

Goodness me Elless!
We had our treasured cat put to sleep at the vets 3 years ago. Can't remember the cost but do remember thinking it was reasonable . We then took her home and she is at rest in the garden.

Having the euthanasia done at the Surgery is definitely a cheaper option. We’ve done it every which way.

Perhaps this thread is a sad reminder to budget for every eventuality.

Please stay with your pet until the very end. They may have been part of your life, but you’ve been all of theirs.

Ask your vet ; they will quote a range of charges. Usually
Euthenasia at your home.
Euthenasia at the vets ( with owner present)
Euthenasia + cremation
Euthenasia + cremation+ return of the ashes.

We always use "Euthenasia at home", (minimises stress for the pet) and we bury our pets in the garden.

We have always stayed with our pets till the end.

My Belgian Shepherd passed away peacefully a few minutes before our regular vet arrived. The vet did check her over and stayed for a cup of tea. We never did receive a bill for the visit
All our pets have been buried in the garden

I paid for a very expensive specialist vet who does nothing but euthanasia. She comes to the animal's home, takes care of all the animal's special needs and feelings , and the owner's needs and feelings. It was very very personalised. Little Sandy was PTS on my bed lying safely between my legs on top of a waterproof sheet and blanket she brings for just such a purpose.

Her initial phone consultation about the dog's condition and possible alternatives to euthanasia was free of charge. She followed up the PTS visit with a phone call to ascertain was I okay and a condolence card. Cost about £400. It was a lot to pay but I pick and choose what is worth the money, to me.

We only moved to this area a year ago and are lucky to have found a vet who comes out to your house so when the time comes our girl will be at home. Unfortunately we haven't got anywhere to bury her, the people in the house before us have covered all the gardens with thick stones and she is a big dog so it would be very difficult even if we did have somewhere.
It is really hard to make 'that' decision, one minute she seems fine and the next she's bad again, it's heart breaking.