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How Much Does It Cost To Put a Dog Down

Written by Assistant
Assistant is passionate about all sorts of domesticated pets. They have written dozens of articles across the web.
Published on
Saturday 5 March 2022
Last updated on
Tuesday 9 May 2023
putting a dog down cost
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Putting your dog to sleep is a heartbreaking action. It is hard to come to the conclusion that this may be the best decision for your dog. Knowing everything you can about the process can help to ease your mind and prepare for the scenario if it is what you and the vet decide. If you want to know how much does it cost to put down a dog then we will summarize this for you to help with your preparation.

As well as the cost of putting a dog down, we will also discuss influencing factors when making the decision. In hopes, we can make the decision a little bit easier for you.

What is Euthanasia

Euthanasia refers to the process of putting your dog to sleep. Only trained veterinarians can do it and a valid reason has to be agreed upon by them, especially if they are an owned pet. If your dog is suffering due to its health, then this is the most common reason for euthanasia. Sometimes treatment will not be viable or will cause more suffering than help in the long term. Euthanasia may also take place in shelters when numbers are too high, which is an unfortunate truth of many shelters. There are also no-kill shelters that exist as well that only euthanize when a dog’s health of life is compromised in some way.

Common Causes of Death in Dogs

We have labeled some of the most common causes for a dog’s death below, whether this is from the illness itself or due to euthanasia being the best option. Understanding some of the most common causes may be able to help you recognize cases that can be helped and cases that cannot. A vet’s opinion is always the first and best place to consult though.

Diabetes

Diabetes is, unfortunately, a disease that is becoming more and more common in dogs due to rising obesity rates and poor diets. You may notice rapid weight loss, them suddenly drinking a lot of water, and a possible cloudy appearance of the eyes.

It leads to the sugar level in your dog’s blood being too high and your dog is unable to properly regulate this. If your dog remains untreated then their health can suffer in many different areas. Although the disease is manageable, concerns may arise in very elderly individuals or those that have been untreated for a while.

Kidney Disease

If you notice your dog suddenly drinking a lot more water than normal then your dog may be suffering from kidney disease. Both acute and chronic kidney disease exist which is why it is so important to notice abnormalities in your dog’s liquid intake as well as their urination habits.

Acute kidney damage can be treated, however, chronic cannot. Diet changes and medications can help your dog to feel better or reduce the symptoms. However, it can be life-threatening if untreated and can affect individuals severely for those who survive after long-term suffering.

Lyme Disease

The symptoms of Lyme disease can be severe including lethargy, loss of appetite, depression, and even progression to kidney failure. This disease can remain dormant until the symptoms arise possibly years later. However, when they arrive your dog can go downhill quickly.

If left untreated the disease can affect organs and even affect them neurologically permanently. If your dog has these severe effects then their state of life can be severely affected. In these cases, it may not be fair to keep your dog going as their movement and even mental health can lead to constant pain or unhappiness.

Obesity

If a dog is overweight, this in itself is not a reason to put a dog down. However, obesity can lead to other illnesses and diseases which cause death. From diabetes to heart disease, obesity is a regular cause of poor dog health and even death.

Mobility is another factor that it affects. Your dog may struggle to walk and develop hip dysplasia, sores, and breathing difficulties. If weight gain is not treated then issues will only become more severe, some of which can be permanent in affecting your dog’s life negatively.

dog euthanasia
The euthanasia solution is injected into your pet’s vein, where it rapidly travels throughout the body without your dog experiencing pain or suffering.

Factors to Consider

If you have decided to put your dog to sleep then you want to make sure that all the factors that add stress are sorted. We have labeled some of the concerns to help ease your mind.

Location

Many owners will take their dogs to the vet to be put to sleep. It costs a lot less which is a bonus but many dogs may become stressed during the procedure because they are not at home. You can decide to pay more for a home visit as your dog may be less stressed, but the cost can be a lot more depending on the clinic.

Neither option is wrong, it is about what is best for you and your dog. Some clinics may not have much of a price adjustment between the two locations. Therefore, if you are stuck between the two options and price is a factor, contact a few clinics you trust. One of them may be able to offer a cheap at-home visit.

Service

There are more facilities able to put your dog to sleep than just the vets. Perhaps your dog gets very stressed at the vet’s or does not particularly like their vet. In this case, there are other options to consider, especially when the cost is an issue.

You can choose to surrender your dog to a humane society where they may euthanize it for free or at a much lower cost. However, some remains are managed on-site without your input, or some may offer cremation and decisions with the ashes. Others may take complete control of the animal once they are in their care and you no longer have a say.

Post-Procedure

After your dog has been put to sleep there is a choice of what to do with its body. Some options include an at-home burial, burial at a pet cemetery, and cremation with ashes returned and without. At-home burials are the cheapest with you only needing to pay for euthanasia, whereas pet cemetery burials can usually be above $700.

Cremation is a lot cheaper and can range from $25 to over $200 usually. Deciding the best option for you can be understandably influenced by cost so take time to consider what is right for you and what you can afford.

How Much Does It Really Cost

This depends on the clinic as well as the size of the dog. Furthermore, if your dog has had other medications then this can also increase the cost. The average cost range is $200 – $400. However, we cannot give you an exact price range due to influential factors.

Location

Each state or area will have a different average price for vet procedures. Some states are much more expensive in general and although each vet practice will vary, generally some locations are cheaper than others.

Furthermore, city practices are often much more expensive than those in suburban areas. Expensive areas, whether state or places within, can add hundreds of dollars to the bill for euthanasia. So scouting around is always worthwhile.

Practice

Every vet practice is different, and some choose to have higher profits than others. Unfortunately, we have to remember that veterinary practices are businesses and they do aim to make a profit. Some may do so more than others.

Furthermore, more expensive states will have to fund the purchases of their medications, which may be more expensive in turn. You can consider nonprofit organizations that can offer euthanasia at a discount or even for free.

Travel Fee

If you want an at-home procedure, some practices may do so with no added costs, whereas others may do with another hundred dollars added on top. It is worth comparing the cost of at-home and in-practice procedures from every vet you contact as each will vary.

How Much Does It Cost To Put a Dog Down: FAQ

More questions? Let’s give you the answers you want.

What is the cheapest way to put a dog down?

Contacting nonprofit organizations is the cheapest option to put your dog down. Then, either surrendering their body or burying them at home would be your cheapest option. We understand that sometimes our finances make hard decisions more difficult. So search around to find your options and choose what is right for you.

Is there any way to humanely euthanize a dog at home?

A vet is the only way to safely euthanize a dog. Any other method will cause your dog pain, and stress, and can be ineffective. Considering any other option than contacting a vet is one that should not be considered. Furthermore, when your dog is ill or is close to the end of its life and needs the help of euthanasia, then euthanasia can be a kind and necessary choice. It will not be painful for your dog as well.

Do dogs know when they are dying?

This is debatable. Owners and behaviorists have mentioned that dogs close to death may try to find more comfort in their owners and appear more lethargic and out of their normal behavior. However, depending on the cause of their death, many things could induce these symptoms. However, we always recommended reassurance and providing your pet with love and gentle care during their last hours. Whether they know or not, it matters that they are cared for.

Why is losing a pet so painful?

The pain that comes from losing a pet is because they are our family. Losing a family member hurts someone who cares for us and brightens our day. A dog is just that, someone who loved unconditionally and brought joy to us during our darkest moments. They improve our lives, and losing them is a pain like no other.

Is it normal to cry when your dog dies?

It is absolutely normal to cry when a dog dies. You are losing a member of the family and losing a loved one always hurts. You need to take time to process these emotions and that is completely normal.

Euthanasia is a hard decision, and deciding the right path is difficult. We hope we have answered some of your questions and you feel more comfortable about costs associated with dog euthanasia.

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