Pet euthanasia

How much does it cost to put your pet down?

In Australia, euthanising your pet can cost anywhere from around $200-$500+. This is for the procedure alone and doesn't account for burial or cremation costs.

If you have pet insurance, the cost to euthanise your pet may be covered by the policy, provided your vet has deemed euthanasia as medically necessary. However, you should check what your excess is to see if it's worth claiming as your excess could be higher than the cost of the procedure itself.

Mobile vet euthanasia

Mobile vet euthanasia has become increasingly popular in the last few years. The familiar environment can be a calming influence on you and your pet but you should be aware that it is likely to cost more than euthanasia at the vet.

What to expect during the euthanasia procedure

Vets typically use a two-step process designed to gently lead your pet to a more peaceful death. The process, which is the same for dogs and cats, consists of the following:

• Sedation. If your pet is overly anxious, the vet will painlessly inject it with a relaxant to calm it down. This keeps the pet from interrupting the procedure and it allows you to spend the last few minutes stroking or cuddling your pet.
• General anaesthetic. When it's time to say goodbye, the vet will administer a large dose of general anaesthetic that will painlessly cause your pet to lose consciousness. Death will occur in a matter of minutes.

What to do after your pet has been euthanised

After your pet passes, there are two ways you can lay the body to rest:

• Burial. Many people will bury their pets somewhere on their property. If the euthanasia is done at the vet, you will be responsible for bringing the body home. If you don't have a yard but still want to bury your pet, there are several pet cemeteries throughout the country.
• Cremation. Most vets can arrange the cremation for you, or you can choose a different provider who will pick up your pet from your home or your vet. You can choose to do a general cremation where the ashes aren't returned, or you can have them returned to you in an urn.

Facts about putting your pet to sleep

Coming to terms with euthanasia is easier when you understand some basic facts about the procedure.

• It's not painful for the pet. The procedure is designed to make the experience as comfortable and peaceful as possible for your pet.
• It's a last resort. Vets will not suggest euthanasia for a pet whose suffering can be minimised or managed. If your vet recommends euthanasia, you can be confident it's the right choice.
• It's a simple procedure. You don't have to send your pet away for a complicated, drawn-out procedure. You can be right there to comfort your pet while an experienced vet gently and effortlessly brings your pet to peace.

FAQs

• How much does it cost to euthanise a dog in Australia?

  It can cost between $200-$500+ depending on the size of your pet and where you choose to carry out the procedure.

• What if I can't afford to put my dog to sleep?

  If you can't afford the cost to euthanise your pet, talk to your vet about your finance options. They may be able to help you implement a payment plan or they may refer you to other more affordable facilities.

Written by

Gary Ross Hunter

Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise

Gary Ross has written 648 Finder guides across topics including:

• Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
• Managing the cost of living

Co-written by

Peta Taylor

Publisher of Insurance

Peta Taylor is a publisher at Finder, working across all of insurance. She's been analysing product disclosure statements and publishing articles for over 2 years. Peta is passionate about demystifying complex insurance products to help users make well educated decisions with confidence. Peta is part of Finder's insurance awards team and works alongside editorial and insights experts to bring users the best insurance products every year. See full bio