Cat Euthenasia

While cats are certainly more independent then dogs, they nevertheless become an integral part of the family. They also tend to live longer than dogs and therefore often have been part of a family for a long time when the time comes to have to consider euthenasia.

There are many reasons why one might consider euthenasing a cat, including old age and debility, a terminal or longstanding disease, financial constraints that preclude expensive treatments, an inability to re-home the pet if you are moving etc etc.

Once you have made the decision, then try to organise the day so that things go as smoothly as possible.

1) Make an appointment with your vet at a time when the waiting room is unlikely to be crowded.

2) Settle all bills before the time so that you do not need to hang around once the procedure has been carried out.

3) Decide beforehand how your pet's body will be disposed of. Options might include home burial, general cremation or cremation with the ashes returned to you.

4) Decide beforehand if you want to be present during the procedure. If you do want to be present then it is best that you understand the procedure and what it entails so that you can prepare yourself.

See

Dog Euthenasia for more details about what to expect.

Cat euthenasia can be an emotionally stressful event, but this can be greatly reduced if one understands that the decision to take this route has been made in the best interests of your pet.