A Gentle Farewell
Deciding to say goodbye to your beloved companion is one of the hardest decisions most pet parents will face. To help you understand the road that lies ahead, we’ve prepared a step-by-step guide to how the in-home euthanasia process works when you schedule a licensed veterinarian through CodaPet.
Understanding The At Home Pet Euthanasia Process
Find gentle guidance through the challenging and necessary steps of at-home pet euthanasia, from facing the difficult decision to mourning the loss of your beloved companion.
Every pet-loss journey is different, but as pet parents we understand and share the desire to extend the lives of our beloved companions as long as humanely possible.
When your pet's quality of life deteriorates to a point at which they are without hope of recovery from persistent physical discomfort or anxiety, or are unable to sustain their basic needs, most veterinarians will offer euthanasia as a humane way to relieve your pet's suffering. When a good life is no longer an option, a good death is a humane choice.
In making this judgement call, we recommend pet parents take these 6 steps:
- Give yourself grace. It's an impossible decision. But you are the person best equipped to recognize when your pet's remaining quality of life no longer outweighs their burdens.
- Take a Quality of Life Assessment, which provides a more objective lens through which you can measure and monitor your pet’s quality of life over time. Our 10 question assessment addresses physical comfort, emotional wellbeing, and basic needs. To help you better contextualize your Quality of Life results, we’ve summarized key insights and themes from Quality of Life responses across the CodaPet community. Additionally, the assessments can help facilitate a more holistic conversation with your primary veterinary care provider.
- Listen to your pet. While your pet cannot use words to tell you how they feel, they can communicate in many other ways. Some of the signals you can watch for include:
- Your pet no longer enjoys the experiences they once did.
- Your pet does not respond to you in the way they once did.
- Your pet experiences more lows than highs.
- Your pet is constantly anxious: exhibiting abnormal panting, pacing, drooling, whimpering, or whining.
- Your pet is terminally ill or critically injured.
- Speak with your primary veterinarian, who can support you by offering their medical expertise to assess how factors like your pet's condition, disease, availability of and response to treatment can influence your pet’s quality of life. While your primary veterinarian won’t be able to make the decisions for you, they can provide guidance personalized to your pet.
- Consult other caretakers for your pet. Those that know you and your pet best will have the most insight into his or her quality of life. You can also hear from pet parents like you that have struggled with their own pet loss journey by reading how other, loving pet parents weighed their most difficult decision.
After deciding that euthanasia is the next humane course of action, you can schedule an appointment with a licensed veterinarian who will visit your home to help give your pet the gift of a peaceful passing where they are surrounded by the comforts of home and love of family.
You can schedule a vet when you know you are ready, or simple click here to see pricing & availability.
Note: If you need to reschedule, postpone, or cancel your appointment, you can do so anytime by clicking the link provided in your confirmation email or your booking confirmation page.
After the appointment is scheduled, your licensed CodaPet veterinarian will reach out, either via text message or phone call, to address any questions you may still have. Expect your CodaPet vet to contact you the day before or the morning of your appointment, as they are often with other families who are reaching the end of their pet's journey.
If you have any questions or concerns before your veterinarian has reached out, or if you have not heard from your veterinarian prior to your appointment, you can call our customer care team at 833-CODAPET 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Your veterinarian will review the euthanasia process with you in as much or as little detail as you wish. In the meantime here are a few common questions to consider:
1. Medications
We want to ensure that your pet is as comfortable as possible. We encourage you to give your pet’s medication as prescribed, unless doing so would cause unnecessary discomfort.
2. Treats
You can give your pet some special treats prior to or during the appointment. However in some cases, the calming medications given during the appointment can cause nausea and even vomiting. For this reason we encourage you to limit portion size.
3. Location
We want your pet to be as comfortable as possible. As long as your vet has access to your pet, they may choose any location, whether that's curled up in your lap, nestled in your bed, or sunbathing by a favorite tree.
4. Parking
Please provide any special instructions or gate codes when your vet contacts you prior to the appointment. You may also leave parking or entering instructions in your booking process.
No video recording
Our policy is to preserve the sanctity of the transition from life to death, and to encourage you to be fully present with your pet. For this reason, we do not allow video chat with family members or friends through a non-recording video platform, such as FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype. You are welcome to take photos, but please obtain the vet's permission prior to doing so.
After arriving, your vet will assess your pet’s condition and talk you through each step of the euthanasia procedure. This assessment can look different than the “nose-to-tail” examination your pet may receive in a clinic setting. Rather, the end-of-life assessment will primarily focus on the pet’s history and quality of life, since the primary goal is to make your pet as comfortable as possible.
Your veterinarian will not move forward with the procedure until you are entirely comfortable. Once you are ready, your veterinarian will provide a consent form for your signature.
You can also discuss whether you, other pets, or any children want to be present during the euthanasia process. Your veterinarian’s priority is providing your pet with the most peaceful passing possible. You know your family best. If children and other pets are able to have a calming effect on your pet and won't impede the vet's ability to provide a peaceful transition, then they are absolutely welcome to be present throughout the procedure.
1. Assessment
Your veterinarian will assess your pet’s condition and talk you through each step of the euthanasia procedure. This assessment can look different than the “nose-to-tail” examination your pet may receive in a clinic setting.
2. Sedation
Your pet will be given medication(s) to help keep them calm and comfortable. These often include combinations of drugs to quell pain and anxiety and are usually given by a very small needle just under the skin. Your pet may feel a slight pinch or momentary discomfort, but many pets do not feel it at all. Depending on your pets condition and other factors the medications may take effect quickly or more gradually, your veterinarian will let you know what to expect.
3. Euthanasia
Once your pet is comfortably and soundly asleep, your veterinarian will provide the euthanasia medication. This medication causes the pet to peacefully transition into an unconscious state that leads to the loss of respiration and heartbeat.
4. Reflexes and Release of Energy
As the body transitions energy is released from the muscles. At first this may appear as movement such as a slight twitching of the legs or ears or disorganized deep breaths. Then you may notice a loss of bladder and bowel control and the eyes remaining open. These are natural physiological reactions and can occur whether death is natural or assisted. They are not cause for alarm, but you should feel comfortable asking your veterinarian any questions you have during this process.
5. Taking Your Time
After your pet passes, you will have the opportunity to spend as much time as you need with your pet. Your veterinarian’s goal is to provide your pet the most dignified, pain-free, and peaceful passing possible.
During your appointment, your veterinarian will confirm your aftercare selection options with you. If you choose cremation services, your veterinarian will oversee your pet’s transportation to a local facility for cremation. If your preferred cremation option includes the return of your pet’s ashes to you, your veterinarian will discuss how that process works and the expected timeline during your appointment.
Although every pet-loss journey is different, our hope as pet parents is often the same: to extend the lives of our beloved companions until they no longer enjoy the life that’s left to live.
Although every pet-loss journey is different, our hope as pet parents is often the same: to extend the lives of our beloved companions until they no longer enjoy the life that’s left to live.
Quality of Life Survey
This survey for your pet is an important tool that helps you assess and evaluate your pet's overall well-being and level of comfort. It is designed to assist pet owners in making informed decisions regarding their pet's care, particularly in situations where the pet is facing serious illness, age-related challenges, or declining health.
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