Deciding to euthanise your beloved cat is when his/her quality of life has gone is an incredibly hard decision to make. Knowing what happens when you euthanise a cat can help make the decision a little easier by helping you understand that it may indeed be the right, and loving choice to make.
Why Do We Euthanise Pets at Home?
We firmly believe in euthanising all pets in a gentle, peaceful manner, rather than proceeding in a clinical fashion that is stressful for both pets and owners.
Pets are far more relaxed within their home environment than at a veterinary clinic, which is why we will visit your home to put your cat to sleep.
Tailoring everything to your cat’s personality, circumstances, ailments and/or illnesses and your family’s general situation, our fully trained, qualified mobile vets will ensure everything is done in a perfectly unhurried and gentle manner.
Coming to your home therefore also allows us to give you all the time you need to say goodbye to your furry friend – which may be anything from 30 minutes to a few hours depending on your wishes and circumstances.
So, What Happens When You Euthanise a Cat?
Before we commence, we will answer all your questions and talk you through the process, to ensure you know what to expect. We especially recommend this when your children are present, as they can, with a little support, deal with this aspect of life in a surprisingly natural manner.
The first thing we will do once you have said your goodbyes and we have addressed your questions/concerns is to administer a gentle sedative. Administered via a quick, painless (cats rarely even notice it) injection and, taking usually just a few minutes to work, this will allow your pet to fall asleep naturally.
Once he/she is fully asleep, we will administer the final injection consisting of our own, specially developed and customised euthanasia drugs. Freeing your cat of all pain and suffering, this injection is extremely effective, and she/he will pass away immediately and, more importantly, peacefully.
Occasionally, a cat may take a last deep breath and exhale with a “last sigh” as he/she passes away, or there may be a little involuntary twitching or movement of a whisker – typically lasting for just a moment or two – after death occurred. It is important for you to understand that these are neither signs of pain nor of life – they are merely electrical/bio-chemical reactions within the body.
What happens next is entirely up to you. Closely collaborating with East Grinstead’s highly accredited Chestnut Lodge Pet Crematorium & Pet Cemetery, we can either:
- Respectfully take your cat with us and arrange for an individual cremation at Chestnut Lodge with your pet’s ashes subsequently being hand-delivered to your usual vet’s practice or a group pet cremation;
- Direct you in taking your cat to Chestnut Lodge yourself, or
- Advise you on a home burial/memorial ceremony
Whichever option you decide on, you will always know for sure that you have given your beloved cat a dignified, pain-free and peaceful end surrounded by his/her loved ones.
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more about our services and/or believe the time to say goodbye to your pet has come, please do not hesitate to contact us today.