Euthanasia at home
For many people, deciding to let their pet be put to sleep is the hardest thing they do as a pet owner. It is a decision filled with grief, love and responsibility. Our aim is to give you calm, clear and reassuring guidance so that you can feel confident throughout the process. Whether it's due to old age, illness, pain or an acute condition, we are here to support you through the whole farewell. We meet you with respect and take the time to create as calm and dignified a moment as possible.
We adapt to how you want the goodbye to be – in their favourite spot on the sofa, in your arms or out in the garden? You know your pet best.
Related terms
Putting a dog to sleep at home, putting a cat to sleep at home, letting your dog pass away peacefully, losing a dog, euthanasia at home or a vet home visit for euthanasia.
When is it time?
There is rarely a simple answer to when the time is right, but it always comes down to quality of life. Signs that your four-legged friend is not doing well can include having more bad days than good ones, withdrawing, stopping eating or no longer wanting to do things it used to love, such as playing or going for walks.
In older animals, we often see a combination of ailments such as osteoarthritis, heart failure or kidney problems. Sometimes the kindest decision is to spare your dog from suffering, rather than waiting too long. We're happy to help with a quality-of-life assessment, weighing up the medical facts together with your sense of how your dog is doing day to day.
A peaceful farewell at home
Today, many people choose to let their pet pass away at home in familiar surroundings. This means your dog or cat can lie in its favourite bed, surrounded by the family, without the stress of a trip to the clinic. Every case is unique. Our vets go through the prognosis, treatment options and quality of life with you before you decide.
The procedure itself is painless and calm.
Many people worry about how euthanasia is carried out and whether their dog will be in pain. It's important to know that euthanasia is a calm and painless process.
We start by sitting down together for a while to go through any questions, thoughts and/or wishes. You fill in a consent form for your four-legged friend to be put to sleep and complete the payment, so that we can then focus on what lies ahead.
Preparation
The vet gives an injection of sedative, usually in the scruff of the neck, and after about ten minutes your pet is asleep, as before an operation. They are then completely unaware of their surroundings and do not feel it when we then place an IV catheter. Everything is completely painless, and we check that your pet is deeply asleep before we continue. It's also good to know that not all animals close their eyes when they are anaesthetised, nor when they have passed away.
The farewell
We check that the IV catheter is correctly placed using a saline solution, and then give a larger dose of anaesthetic through the catheter, which makes the heart stop after a minute or so. In older and ill animals, the sedative injection can make the blood vessels contract a lot, and we may need to give the final injection into the heart if we cannot place a catheter in the leg. After your pet has passed away, so-called “agonal breaths” may occur – deep, gasping breaths. These are reflexes in the breathing centre of the brain “discharging”, so to speak. The vet uses a stethoscope to confirm that the heart has stopped.
Afterwards
The vet listens to the heart and confirms that your pet has passed away. When you have said your final goodbye, together we gently place the body in a coffin. You can put your pet's own favourite blanket or toy in it if you like.
What happens afterwards?
When you have said your final goodbye, there are different options for what happens to the body. We can take your dog with us for cremation, or you can arrange a burial yourselves if you are able to. For cremation, you can choose between communal cremation (where the ashes are scattered in a memorial garden) or individual cremation (where the ashes are returned to you in an urn).
We will contact you when the urn is ready to collect from us. It usually takes 2-4 weeks for the urn to come back after the euthanasia. If you wish to keep the body, please check whether you need permission from the municipality where you want to bury it.
If you're unsure whether it's time, you're welcome to book a consultation with one of our vets first.
Euthanising a dog at home
Many people prefer to have their dog put to sleep at home, where it feels safest.
- We offer euthanasia at home in all the areas where we operate.
- The price of euthanasia for a dog at home can sometimes differ from clinic prices; see our price list for more information
Who can be present at the euthanasia?
It's up to you as a family to decide who should be present, and there is no right or wrong. Most people choose to stay with their dog throughout, but it's equally fine to stay until your dog has had the sedative injection and fallen peacefully asleep, and then leave the room before the final injection is given. Do whatever feels best for you.
Letting children be present. Children are often welcome to take part. In our experience, children generally have a natural and rational attitude to death, and cope well with the moment as long as there is a reassuring adult who can answer questions and give support.
If you feel that you will find it hard to support your child in the middle of your own grief, it can sometimes be better for the child not to be present during the euthanasia itself. A lovely alternative can then be for the child to come in and say a calm goodbye after your pet has passed away.
Price for euthanasia and cremation
The cost varies depending on whether you would like help with cremation afterwards, and which type of cremation you choose.
The basic price includes the vet's travel (within our standard area), sedation, the euthanasia itself and materials. If you choose to have us take the body for cremation, there is an additional fee for this based on the dog's weight.
We aim to be transparent so you don't have to worry about costs at a difficult time.
From
Euthanasia, dog <30 kg
2 900 kr
Euthanasia, cat
2 900 kr
Cremation, dog
From 2 300 kr
Euthanasia, dog >30 kg
3 400 kr
Euthanasia, small pets
2 900 kr
Cremation, cat
From 1 200kr
Personal animal care in safe surroundings – home visits, clinic & vet practices
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the most common questions we get from our customers, with answers.
How much does euthanasia at home cost?
See the “Euthanasia” section of our price list for current prices.
Can the whole family be present?
Yes. Many people choose to gather the family, light candles or create a quiet moment in their own way. You decide what suits you and your pet best.
Is it painful for my pet?
No, the procedure is designed to be gentle. Your pet is first given a sedative and falls into a deep sleep before the final injection is given.
What if it's difficult to place an IV catheter?
In some older or very ill animals, the blood vessels can be difficult to access. The vet will then adapt the approach and explain what is needed and why.
I'm not sure if it's time – what should I do?
You are very welcome to call us or book a consultation with a vet first, so that you get support and can talk the decision through.
We bill all insurance companies directly
VetAtHome offers clinic visits, home visits and visits to our vet practices – what's best depends on your pet's needs and what's most convenient for you. We bill all insurance companies directly, which makes it easy to get help whatever insurance cover you have.
