How much does it cost to euthanize a cat (9mths)?

Question

What is the cost to put my cat to sleep? Is it possible that it could be free? (Please indicate the currency type you're using like US$ or CAN$)

My cat is very very very sick (vet thinks dry FIP or cancer), he is syringe fed, wobbles to the point where he falls over to his side, smells like urine because he can't use the litter box probably due to the wobbliness, bathing him makes him very stressful, and he's very lethargic.

He does try to wobble towards me when I'm preparing his food or try to come to me when I'm on the bed (he can't jump, so he just meow and I pick him up). I pick him up to walk him around the house, let him look outside the window, or for a change of scenery.

I think it's now time to put him to sleep. I tried my best to help him but he just got worst. And I love him very much.

Answers, comments, etc....are appreciated.
Thanks :)

And I'm planning to cremate him. I just want to know the price to calculate everything and plan my budget.

Thanks :)

Answer 1

Animal shelters will do it for you at small cost or a donation. Unfortunately you cannot be with him when the euthanasia is done (something I think is deplorable). You certainly must ask your vet what he/she would charge. It is less to have the cat cremated with other animals, it is more expensive if you want to have an individual cremation in order to keep the ashes.

I am sorry to hear you must do this. It is so obvious you would do anything to help him have a good life and it is so hard to accept a diagnosis of a fatal illness. My heart goes out to you.

Answer 2

I have come to realise that I can no longer be shocked by the heartlessness of some people. The vet should not have given the woman the cat back, shes probably killed it herself. We had a case at the shelter I work for where someone wanted their healthy cat put to sleep because they were moving, vet contacted us and now shes in a lovely new home. We had someone bring a cat into us for the same reason, although they thought that cat was trying to 'kill their baby' by winding round their legs as they were coming down the stairs.....ridiculous! And to the person in here spouting about human life....this is a cat forum, if you have nothing remotely constructive to say, why are you here?

Answer 3

I'm so sorry, but I feel you're doing the right thing by helping him cross the Rainbow Bridge.

Many private veterinarians (the good ones anyway) will not charge for putting a suffering pet down. It's best to call around and talk to the vet personally, not the receptionist or a tech.

It's very obvious that you love your kitty and I know you'll see him again. He'll be with God, at peace and not in pain anymore. My prayers are with you and him.

Answer 4

Most vets charge little, if anything, for euthanizing. You can choose to have your pet cremated, which varies in cost by size (for a small cat it won't be much at all...my 80 lb. dog was $225). They may charge you something for the disposal of the animal if you don't choose cremation, and if you don't take the animal's remains with you. You can also take them with you if you have a burial place chosen.

Answer 5

I live in holland and here it's around 50 euro's, ... I'd really ask your vet as no matter where you are prices are going to vary, it mainly depends on the weight of the cat, but also on which medicines the vet uses (at which pharmaceutical company he buys them). If you call up the vet and tell them the weight of the cat (if they don't already know) and vets assistent will be able to give you an estimated price.

I am really sorry, this is awful, good luck and my thoughts are with you!

Answer 6

Oh my god that is so sad. I feel so sorry for you. I am in Australia and I know over here the RSPCA (like your pet shelters) will do it for free or for a small cost, alot cheaper than a ordinary vet. They might be able to point you in the rigt direction as well on where you could get her cremated cheaply. I am so so sorry for what you are going through, but I think you are doing the right thing. She has suffered enough.
Take Care and my thoughts are with you.

Answer 7

It shouldn't cost more than 20.00 (US).If you call your local animal shelter,they may do it for you,but tell them if you want to stay with the cat while the injection is given,and be aware that some shelters use the "heartstick method",in which the needle is place directly into the heart.It's painful and stressful for the cat,so I would opt for a vet if possible.I'm sorry for you and your cat.

Edit: My vet performs her own cremations,and the cost is by weight.A cat is 26.00,not including the cost of euthanasia,which is around 12.00 for a cat.(US dollars)

Answer 8

That is so sad, it's never easy to go through something like this.. I've been there a few times. I'm actually crying now because of the painful memories.

I'm very sorry for you and your cat and I hope all goes well

Good luck

Answer 9

It varies from vet to vet. Our clinic charges $40 for euthanasia. Will you be getting the ashes back or will it be a communal cremation (where you don't get the ashes back)? Our cremation services are preformed by an outside company. We charge between $60 and $110, depending on the type of cremation chosen.

Best of luck with your terribly heartwrenching decision

*All prices are in US dollars.*

Answer 10

I am SO sorry to hear about this, and I am VERY sorry for what YOU are going through. I KNOW this is a horrible decision to have to make. I would call the local animal shelter, tell the receptionist about your problem, and ask to speak directly with the vet in charge on any particular day. As far as I know, these vets are NOT always there at the shelter. There are several of them who volunteer a certain number hours a week at the local shelters, Humane Societ, etc. Your best bet is to come right out and ask if they have a WOMAN vet on staff there. A WOMAN is much more compassionate than men are in cases like this, and she may just do it for free + allow YOU to be with your kitty when she administers the shot. IF the shelter rules will not allow her to do so, ask her for one of her cards and if it's OK to bring your kitty into her office for this proceedure, and if it's alright for you to be with your kitty there in her office. I'm sure she does allow this. Another place to contact is The Humane Society, if you have one where you live. They will probably do this free--as they are dedicated to the welfare of the aminal. And, what about calling YOUR OWN vet? I am sure that they are very familiar with the health of this kitty. Ask to speak to the vet, personally--at his/her convenience--as in, they CAN return your call. Now, I most certainly am NOT "man-bashing" here. I use a male vet who was rcommended by my best friend. She had to have one of her animals put down (don't remember if it was a dog or cat), but we have a very compassionate, caring, animal-loving vet, who--at the time of having to administer the euthanizing shot, he actually had tears running down his cheeks. THIS is the kind of person you want, PLUS, I do not believe he charged her anything for doing what HAD to be done.

You also have many different options after your kitty is at rest. If it were me, and YES, I own my own home, I would bury this "baby" in a decorative pine or aluminum box, (at least 3 -4 feet down) in a nice place on my own property. Then, as a memorial to him, I'd get a nice, ornamental (decorative) tree to place on top of the grave site along with a memorial plaque. NOTE: I said 3- 4 feet down for 2 reasons: (a) So that no other animal can smell that there is anything there and won't be trying do dig the area up, and (b) Planting the tree "in remembrance" of your kitty DIRECTLY OVER the grave-site will also keep other "critters" away from it. This does NOT have to be any kind of BIG tree, just a nice decorative, basically anything of your choosing--even a small flowering bush, OR something like a few Amarillis bulbs. These won't bloom right away, but when they do, they're glorious! PLUS, every year after the first bloom, you'll have MORE! However, now that we're in fall and approaching winter, should you decide to go with the Amarillis, it's the ideal planting time for them. And, depending on where you live, if you get snow or a lot of rain, you could simply use several silk flower arrangements on top of the site (they hold up real well), until winter passes. If you don't own your own property--not to worry---you can still do the same thing in a very large (barrell-style) planter. This way, should you move, you can take the memorial with you.
The only thing I would NOT choose to do is the cremation thing. They don't do these individually. So, along with the ashes of your kitty, you may also have 3 or 4 others and even a couple of dogs. There is always the option of a pet cemetary, but I have no idea what they charge, and I believe there's an annual "maintenance" fee involved.

These are just a few ideas for you to think about. But, as a note of caution: Don't run yourself into a lot of debt over this. You have done everything (except the final) that you can do for your "baby". Spending yourself into the "poor-house" over this is NOT going to do ANYTHING to help your kitty.

In closing, I am sure than under these circumstances, your own vet may not charge you anything to put him down--or a very minimal fee ($10 - $12 US), and they most likely will let you hold him while the shot is administered. Check with them FIRST before anyone else. I cannot tell you had bad I feel for you, my sympathies are with you and my heart goes out to you.