Putting a cat to sleep, or euthanasia, is one of the most difficult decisions any pet owner will ever have to make. It is a humane and completely painless way to say goodbye to a beloved pet and ease their suffering if they are suffering from an incurable illness or injury.
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When can a cat be put to sleep?
Veterinarians usually suggest euthanasia to owners when there is no longer any appropriate treatment for the cat, it is elderly, suffering from a serious and incurable disease that is incompatible with life, or has suffered a serious injury.
Putting a cat to sleep must be a well-considered decision, but it is unavoidable if the animal is suffering or in agony. The veterinarian assesses each situation responsibly, advises and informs the owners of all possible treatment methods and the sequence of procedures.
Euthanasia of a cat is performed when the animal is seriously or terminally ill, injured, and in severe physical pain.
Is it possible to put a healthy cat to sleep?
It is not permitted to euthanize healthy cats. According to animal welfare laws, only cats that are seriously and terminally ill and aggressive cats that pose a danger to themselves and their surroundings may be euthanized.
Euthanasia may also be performed on cats that are carriers of serious and incurable infectious diseases and pose a danger to healthy cats or even humans.
How is euthanasia performed on cats?
Putting a cat to sleep is a fairly simple and painless procedure for the pet. It is usually performed in two stages:
- First, the cat is given medication to calm it down. After assessing all the circumstances, this stage may be skipped if the animal is generally unwell, as decided by the veterinarian.
- Later, in the second stage, drugs (usually pentobarbital) are administered to further sedate the animal and stop its breathing and heartbeat.
When an animal dies, its body may twitch, take a last breath, or even release urine or feces. This is completely normal and common, but it has been observed that this happens less often when sedatives are used.
Although this process may sound unpleasant to owners, we assure you that it does not cause any pain or discomfort to the animal. In fact, it often eases the fate of a pet that has been suffering from a serious and incurable disease for a long time.
The cost of euthanasia for cats
The cost of euthanizing a cat usually depends on the pet’s weight and the amount of medication used. The cost of euthanizing a cat may also vary depending on the desired method of farewell – leaving the animal’s body at the clinic, burial, or cremation. Contact our specialists for consultation and a more accurate price quote.
Euthanasia of cats at home
The Begemotas Veterinary Clinic and its specialists always strive to ensure the comfort of your beloved four-legged pet and minimize any stress they may experience. For these reasons, we can perform the euthanasia procedure at your home.
The veterinarian will explain the procedure and possible side effects to the cat’s owner and ensure that the sick cat is humanely euthanized without causing additional stress at home.
Cremation of a cat
It takes time to come to terms with loss, but it is very important to understand that no one is to blame for the death of a cat – euthanasia is performed only to protect the pet from greater suffering. It is completely understandable and normal to feel pain, sadness, loneliness, and other unpleasant emotions when saying goodbye to your beloved pet. Respecting the owner’s wishes, we can offer several ways to say goodbye – cat burial or cat cremation.
Cremation is the process of turning a deceased cat’s body into ashes. If you decide to cremate your cat, Begemotas Veterinary Clinic can take care of the cremation for an additional fee, after which the remains of your cat will be returned to you in an urn of your choice, along with all cremation documents. We offer cremation services in cooperation with our partners (Augintinių krematoriumas in Tauragė).
The cost of cremating a cat depends on the weight of your dog and the type of urn you want.
Euthanasia and cremation of cats at the Begemotas veterinary center
The Begemotas Veterinary Medical Center is ready to help you throughout all stages of your pet’s life. We are here because we care about your pet’s health and quality of life. The Begemotas Veterinary Clinic employs only professionals who respect and love their work. The widest range of services and tests ensures high-quality and targeted treatment for your pet when it falls ill.
Vet. gydytojas Robert
