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Putting a cat down (euthanasia)

Facing the difficult decision to have your cat put down or seeking advice on euthanasia?

Putting a cat down (euthanasia)

Facing the difficult decision to have your cat put down or seeking advice on euthanasia?

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A difficult decision 

The bond between you and your cat is very special. Understandably, you will want to keep them alive for as long as possible. But there may come a time when your cat’s quality of life begins to decline due to illness, injury or age. 

If treatment to reduce their pain or distress is not possible or no longer effective, the most loving and courageous way you can show them how much you care is to end their suffering. 

Making the decision to end your cat’s life can be very difficult. You can always talk with your vet, who is there to help and advise you.  

Knowing what to expect can make it a little easier. Read our guide below on what happens when your cat is put down.  

white-and-brown tabby cat sitting on a beige cat tower and looking out a window

Assessing your cat’s quality of life  

As a pet owner, it’s important to assess your cat’s quality of life to prevent suffering as they get older or if they become ill. 

Assessing quality of life is not always easy, so ask for support and guidance from your vet. Your vet will examine your cat and provide guidance on the treatment options available, what’s right for your cat and whether it’s time to consider euthanasia.  

You may need to assess your cat’s quality of life if they:  

  • can no longer eat or drink normally  
  • are unable to stand or move normally  
  • have difficulty breathing properly  
  • are badly injured in an accident  
  • are incontinent  
  • have an untreatable behavioural problem that leaves them feeling very unhappy  
  • have any condition that causes uncontrollable pain 

What is euthanasia?  

The word euthanasia comes from the Greek term ‘euthanatos’, which means a ‘good death’. It’s also known as ‘putting a cat to sleep’ or ‘putting a cat down’. The primary purpose of euthanasia is to relieve your cat’s suffering in a way which is as painless as possible.  

What happens when my cat is put down? 

  1. Consent. Before euthanasia is carried out, you will be asked to sign a consent form.  
  2. Possible sedation. Some vets may give an injection of a sedative, which will relax and sedate your cat.  
  3. Euthanasia injection. The euthanasia medication is given by injection. It will cause your cat to lose consciousness or become more deeply sedated. Then it will stop their heart beating. The injection can be given in different ways depending on your cat’s needs. Your vet may shave the fur from a patch of skin on your cat’s front leg and inject either through a needle or into an intravenous catheter. Some vets may give the injection into another area, such as the tummy. Other than the brief pinprick sensation of the needle, the injection should cause no pain or discomfort.  
  4. Passing away. Once the euthanasia medication has been given, your cat will pass away very quickly. As your cat loses consciousness, they may take a deep breath or gasp. Occasionally, there may be a brief involuntary twitching after death has occurred. These are not signs of life; they are reflexes that occur naturally when a cat passes away. As the body relaxes, your cat’s bowels or bladder may empty. Their eyes will not close.  
  5. Vet check. Your vet will check for a heartbeat or eyelid reflex and may place your cat into a sleeping position.  
Brown tabby cat lying on purple sheet and being stroked by human

Should I stay with my cat during euthanasia?  

Discuss in advance with your vet whether you wish to be with your cat when they are put down.  

It may be comforting for your cat if they can hear a familiar voice and have your presence to soothe them.  

But it’s understandable if you feel it’s just too difficult to stay with them. Also, if you’re frightened or anxious, your cat may sense this and become upset.  

We are all different, so do what you feel will be best for you and your cat.  

How much does pet euthanasia cost in the UK? 

The cost of cat euthanasia can vary between vet practices. It will typically cost between £100 and £300.  

If euthanasia needs to be performed as an emergency at night or on the weekend, costs may be higher. The appointment may cost more if you decide you’d like the vet to come to your home rather than the procedure being carried out at the surgery. Costs also vary depending on whether you want the vet to arrange for cremation. 

Talk to your vet practice about the various costs and options. As it’s a very distressing time, you may want to consider paying in advance of the appointment, as you’re likely to be upset at the time.

After euthanasia

Sometimes it isn’t possible to make decisions about after-death care in advance. But where it’s possible, it can be helpful to think about the options available when you’re not in a state of distress surrounding the loss of your cat.

There are a variety of options available for what you can do with your cat’s body and how you might like to memorialise your cat. Generally, pets are buried or cremated. Deciding what to do may depend on your personal circumstances and preferences.

You can talk to your vet practice to find out what options they have available. Or you may like to arrange after-death care yourself.

Find out more about after-death options on The Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria website.

Your vet can arrange for your cat to be cremated, or you can take their body to your chosen pet crematorium yourself. You will need to inform your vet of your wishes at the time of euthanasia if you want your vet to arrange the cremation. 

Many crematoria and cremation services will allow you to visit them and see the facilities. This will help you understand exactly what will happen to your cat during cremation.  

Communal cremation 

  • Several animals are cremated together 
  • The ashes will not usually be returned to you. They may be scattered or buried on-site or taken elsewhere. You can ask the crematorium what happens to the ashes if you wish to know 
  • Usually cheaper than individual cremation 

Individual cremation 

  • Your pet will be cremated on their own or, more commonly, on a separate tray from other pets 
  • You will usually have the option to have your cat’s ashes returned to you 
  • Usually more expensive than communal cremation 
  • You may be able to choose a container to keep the ashes in 

Please also be aware that collecting your cat’s ashes can be a difficult thing to do. You may not want to collect your cat’s ashes immediately, as it may feel too raw for you. Perhaps ask a friend or family member to come with you for support or to collect them on your behalf. Usually, the vet practice or crematorium is happy to look after the ashes for a period of time until you feel able to collect them. 

You may prefer to take your cat’s body home to bury in the garden.  

If you bury your cat at home: 

  • make sure you own the land or have permission to bury your cat there 
  • check with your vet that burying your pet poses no risk to other animals or people  
  • make sure the site is three metres away from water sources, cables and pipes where possible. This is because the drug used in euthanasia can enter the environment and damage other living things 
  • dig the grave to be at least 1.25 metres deep 
  • bury your cat inside a plastic covering, a metal box or a wooden box 
  • cover the site with a heavy object, such as a pot or slab, until the ground settles. This will deter scavenging animals from digging in that area. 

For more information, see the UK government’s advice about animal burials or speak to your local authority.  

The benefits of burying at home include being able to visit your cat at any time, and you may feel closer to your cat being at home. But consider whether you’re likely to move home in the future and whether you would move your cat’s remains or leave them behind.  

Choosing a pet cemetery is another option if you don’t have the facility to bury at home or do not want cremation. While it can be an expensive service, it’s often very personal. Most ceremonies can be accompanied by a short memorial service.

Often costs will include:

  • buying the plot
  • an annual maintenance or rental fee
  • a coffin, which the cemetery may ask that you buy from them

Coping with your loss 

The loss of your cat can be as traumatic and emotionally challenging as the loss of any other family member. Whatever the circumstances of your loss, it’s likely that you’ll be grieving. Grief is a unique and individual experience. It’s perfectly normal to grieve for the loss of a loved one, but there’s no normal way to grieve and no time limit on the process. 

It may be that your beloved cat hasn’t yet died, and you’re anticipating and perhaps dreading their death. Perhaps you have a very difficult decision to make and are struggling with how you’ll get through this. This type of situation often brings anticipatory grief, a type of grieving that starts even before your cat has died. 

Making the decision to end your cat’s life can feel like a huge responsibility and may leave you with complicated feelings and thoughts as you grieve your loss and reflect over what has happened. 

We understand what you’re going through and are here to provide advice and support. 

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