The price of dog euthanasia has increased over time. Often, euthanasia happens at the veterinarian’s office. Like other veterinarian visits, they charge a cost for a checkup and medication to euthanize. Facilities, like animal hospitals, have pay veterinarians and building operations which is a couple of the reasons the cost to euthanize a dog is so expensive.
If pet owners choose to have a veterinarian or other professional come to their home to have at-home euthanasia for their dog, the cost may be even higher. In this situation, someone comes to the home to provide the medication, which adds on additional time and travel considerations. Veterinarians must also uphold a license to have possession of the controlled substance that puts them down. These factors also tend to increase the price of euthanasia.
Other pet hospice services may provide additional care and resources for both the dog and the family during the difficult transition. With these extra services often comes a higher cost for saying goodby to a dog.
The cremation or other burial decisions for the dog are also factored into the overall cost of euthanasia and end-of-life care. This can also come with a significant price tag, depending on the location and availability of services where you are at. A private cremation can even cost between $300-$400, even higher in some places.
A key factor that determines the cremation cost is the weight of the dog. Heavier dogs may have a higher cost to cremate as they require more energy and resources in order to cremate. There also may be additional fees in choosing a private cremation, which means you get to keep the dog’s ashes. On the other hand, a communal cremation disposes of the ashes by the crematory. Overall, this cremation process is often what drives up the overall cost of the euthanasia process.
Other fees and components of the euthanasia process, such as a catheter, office call, and more can quickly add up. Other examinations may be required by the veterinarian before the operation is performed. Fees for disposing of needles or other tools used can also be factored into the cost. The overall cost to euthanize your dog can be very expensive.