How Much Do Pet Euthanasia and Cremation Cost?

The cost to put one’s pet down will vary by location and how and where you wish to have the procedure done. In addition, there are other unforeseeable fees that may be included that the average pet owner is not aware of but should be taken into account.

Post-euthanasia options have a variety of costs to be considered as well. But before considering these, there is a ton of information you would first want to know. First, what is the cost to put down a dog?

Does disposal also come with a fee? How do you know it is finally time? What are the methods you can choose from?

Cost of Pet Euthanasia

• In-Home Euthanasia

Some people may elect to do in-home euthanasia. In this situation, a licensed veterinarian will come to your home and perform the whole process with you.

For animals that experience fear or anxiety at the vet’s office or with medical handling, this may be a good stress-free choice. Since putting your animal down is already very emotional, the dog experiencing further discomfort or distress would only worsen the situation.

It can help your animal feel more comfortable being in a place it is used to and by having its bedding and toys near it. For someone with small children, having the procedure done in your home can also help ease their confusion or anxiety, which may be more escalated in the possibly colder, more hectic vet office environment.

A lot of organizations or veterinary hospitals offer this service. This is suitable for you as well if you want the final moments of your pet to be in a familiar place to avoid anxiety.

Some also prefer in-home services for pets that can no longer walk and are too heavy to be carried.

Furthermore, you might also want your other pets to bid farewell, although this is usually not recommended by veterinarians as it causes distress among them. They suggest performing it out of sight or hearing of fellow animals.

This euthanasia will cost the owner more, obviously, because the vet is coming to you for a special one-on-one service. Depending on the individual vet’s rates, as well as how far they need to travel, in general, the price will range from $100 to $500.

For example, Happy Endings Pet Euthanasia in Arizona offers in-home euthanasia for $305 as a starting fee. Additional charges vary depending on the distance.

• Euthanasia in the clinic

On the other hand, the rate to put down a dog in the clinic is more affordable. Some prefer to have the procedure done here because they don’t want their house to be a reminder of loss and death.

Other pet owners might not have the option to perform the procedure at home due to their area, or the pet might already be located at the clinic.

This is the most basic and the simplest option to have your animal put down. An in-office euthanasia will usually range in cost from $50 to $150, depending on the location and size of the dog.

Some offices offer low-income pet owners cheaper euthanasia rates and you may want to check with local humane societies for discounts as well, especially if you are working on a budget.

On the other hand, Sacremento SPCA bases pet euthanasia fees on whether it is scheduled or not, and whether the owner wants to be in the room during the last minutes or not.

Rushed euthanasia costs $50 for when the owner would rather not stay by the pet’s side and $100 if they want to be present. Lastly, scheduled euthanasia costs around $110.

Cost of Body Disposal

After the euthanasia, comes the disposal of the body. There are numerous selections you may want to consider such as burial, cremation with a site, mass cremation or cremation with an urn you can keep.

Your choice will depend on your financial considerations, local public acceptance, and the number of animals handled.

• Pet Cremation

Following the euthanasia, many dog owners pursue cremation as a means to memorialize their deceased pet. Individual and group cremation options both exist which will affect the cost.

Additionally, the cost will vary based on the weight of the dog. In group or communal cremation, your dog would be cremated alongside the bodies of other people’s pets.

Usually, these are then scattered in a garden or similar respected area of remembrance or near the property of the crematorium facility.

Pet cremation cost is cheaper than burials in pet cemeteries if you would rather keep the urn than display it in a site.

• Group Cremation

Group cremation typically costs between $5 to $150. One may request a small token amount of ashes returned to you. However, one should keep in mind that this may be the ashes of other animals.

Group cremation at Petland Cemetery Inc. in Washington has a price range of $25 to $110 based on the pet’s weight. If your pet is over 300 pounds, cremation is at $0.75 per pound.

Equine non-private cremation is more expensive, given that horses take up more space. Its prices range from $400 to $850.

• Individual Cremation

Individual cremation involves only your animal being cremated, and then most, if not all, of the ashes being returned to you. Due to the individual nature of this option, the cost will be higher; at around $150 to $300, depending on location and size of the animal.

Lastly, most crematoriums offer options for their urns/vases, with them running from around $20 for a standard one, and up to $200 or more for an ornate one made of wood, ceramic or metal.

For instance, Happy Endings offers $205 for pet cremation and it is already inclusive of the delivery of ashes to your home. It also offers packages with urn inclusions, depending on the design of your preference.

Happy Endings also gives you the option of having the ashes placed in a plain rosewood urn, one with a framed photo of your pet or an elegant vase with the engraved name and paw print of your dog or cat. The prices range from $590 to $715.

Meanwhile, Sacramento SPCA bases its pet cremation fees on the weight of your pet. Newborn kittens or puppies are usually valued $130, while large breed dogs can amount up to $305.

The price of its urns depends on the number of lines that will be engraved at $15 each.

• Pet Columbarium

Pet columbarium is another option to choose from if you want a special spot for your pet’s remains. Forest Run Pet Tributes offers a space in its area for $150, exclusive of the letterings on the door which is $4 each and the setup fee which costs $37.50.

Making Your Pet’s Demise Extra Special

• Keepsakes and Memorial Lockets

Mass cremation may not be as special as other services, but you can always commemorate your pet by keeping a locket of his hair. Prices vary according to design which usually ranges from $50 to $500.

Many veterinary clinics also offer a paw print of your pet. This may be included in the euthanasia price or may cost an additional fee of $10 to $30.

• Pet Burial

You may want to consider pet funeral and burial just like the Forest Run Pet Tributes’ cemetery lots which cost $500 for a 30×54 plot.

You can also bury your pet in your backyard for free. However, this is typically not legal in urban areas. Check your local laws before deciding on this option.

The International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories can aid in finding the perfect company you can trust with your pet’s remains.

Additional Cost

There are a few other additional fees associated with the euthanasia process that should be considered and discussed with your vet beforehand, just so you are not surprised by the bill, especially at an otherwise very emotional state.

Travel Cost – 

When you decide to do the euthanasia at home, the vet will incur transportation expense to get to your house. They will charge you for transportation cost and their travel time.

For the remains of your pet, the veterinary clinic will take care of transport to the crematorium or pet cemetery. This cost is almost always already covered in the cremation cost your veterinarian charges. Although few pet parents choose to do so, there may be savings by transporting the remains yourself and paying the crematorium directly.

Supplies – 

You may encounter a vet that would charge IV catheters and needles as an extra cost so it is better to clear this out before getting the service. To avoid being surprised by unexpected charges, pet owners should ask if all the medical supplies and chemicals for the euthanasia are included in the up-front cost as well.

After office and weekends service – 

If euthanasia needs to be performed outside of normal business hours there will be extra cost associated. Emergency and on-call veterinary services are significantly more expensive. However, when your pet is suffering emergency euthanasia may be the kindest option.

Cremation Viewing – 

Although just the thought of your pet being burned to ashes is nerve-wracking just as it is heartbreaking, you can have that option if you wish to. Most pet cremation facilities allow viewing for an additional fee.

Pet crematoriums typically have very high standards regarding private cremations. However, some owners appreciate watching the cremation process. This way you can be 100% sure that the ashes you receive are from your pet.