GoodRx Holdings Inc.

05/18/2023 | Press release | Archived content

Pet Hospice: How to Plan for End of Life Care for Your Dog or Cat

Key takeaways:

  • Hospice, or end-of-life care, is the care your pet receives when they're facing a terminal illness or advanced age with decreased quality of life.

  • Hospice care often includes an at-home visit from a veterinarian to discuss medications to make your pet more comfortable and a quality-of-life assessment.

  • The cost of a hospice appointment can vary depending on your location. But it may run between $300 and $650.

marieclaudelemay/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Pets shower us with loads of love and loyal companionship in exchange for a cuddle, a belly rub, or a yummy treat. And most pet owners consider their animals part of the family.

As rewarding as having a pet is, there comes a time when you have to get ready to say goodbye. That could be because your animal is getting older, and their quality of life is deteriorating. Or it could be because they've been diagnosed with an incurable illness.

Whatever the reason, pet hospice can help you prepare for the last season of your animal's life.

What is end-of-life care for pets?

End-of-life care is the care given to a pet in the last days, weeks, or months of their life. This kind of care is also known as hospice care.

"Options for end of life for pets have similarities and differences to humans," said Mary Gardner, DVM, the cofounder of Lap of Love, a nationwide network of hospice veterinarians. "A family can seek veterinary hospice for their ailing pet due to an advanced age, and all that comes with it, or for a terminal illness, regardless of age."

Vet hospice care involves a medical team that supervises your pet's care. This type of care seeks to maintain a pet's quality of life until they are euthanized or pass away without veterinary assistance.

Gardner discussed the five main components of vet hospice care for pets, which are outlined below, with GoodRx Health.

1. Palliative care

Palliative care ensures your pet has medication to relieve or reduce symptoms like:

  • Pain

  • Anxiety

  • Nausea

  • Lack of appetite

2. Environmental management

This involves setting up a safe and comfortable home space for your pet. You can schedule an appointment with a hospice vet or nurse to visit your home and make suggestions.

They can also go over products, like harnesses or special litter boxes, that may help your pet get around and perform daily tasks. Your regular veterinarian can also help with suggestions to keep your pet's home comfortable.

3. Caregiver support

As your pet's caregiver, you may find yourself physically and emotionally exhausted by planning end-of-life care. Your vet hospice team can recommend qualified pet sitters and online support groups. Their recommendations for medications and home modifications for your pet can also provide you with some emotional relief.

4. Quality-of-life (QOL) discussions

"Every pet owner asks, 'When do I know it's time?' We can help with that by having a QOL discussion,"Gardner said. "'Quality' and 'suffering' are subjective terms, but we can talk about what those things mean to the family and the pet, ways to monitor it, and where the stopping point is."

To further explore this topic, check out Gardner's video on when it's time to say goodbye to a pet. You can also use this online quality-of-life quiz to help evaluate your pet's quality of life. It asks you to rate how your pet is doing in a number of categories, such as activity level, appetite, and pain.

5. Euthanasia options

"Euthanasia is an extremely difficult decision for families. And supporting them through that process is a part of hospice," Gardner said. During a hospice consultation, you can learn what the euthanasia process entails and where it can be done.

"I've been in many beds, boats, backyards, beaches - even under a baby grand piano, because that is where the cat loved to lay," Gardner said about where she has performed euthanasias.

You can also decide who should be present, what to do with the body, and what memorial items you would like. "Taking out the mystery of this appointment helps families not be so scared of it," Gardner said.

When does my dog or cat need end-of-life care?

Your pet will need end-of-life care if they have an incurable terminal illness or they've reached an age where their quality of life is poor. Look for signs, such as them having more bad days than good or pain that is difficult to manage, even with medication. The quality-of-life calculator mentioned above might also be helpful.

Quiz: When should you put down your dog?

Your dog enjoys their usual walks, toys, and routines.

  • Never
  • Not often
  • Some of the time
  • Most of the time

Your dog enjoys spending time with you and your family like they always have.

  • Never
  • Not often
  • Some of the time
  • Most of the time

Your dog eats and drinks their usual amount and shows their typical interest in food.

  • Never
  • Not often
  • Some of the time
  • Most of the time

Your dog shows signs of stress or anxiety.

  • Never
  • Not often
  • Some of the time
  • Most of the time

Your dog shows signs of pain or discomfort such as drooling, panting, pacing, or whimpering.

  • Never
  • Not often
  • Some of the time
  • Most of the time

Your dog's breathing is normal.

  • Never
  • Not often
  • Some of the time
  • Most of the time

Your dog is able to urinate and poop without issue.

  • Never
  • Not often
  • Some of the time
  • Most of the time

Your dog has trouble navigating your home and can't get around well on their own.

  • Never
  • Rarely
  • Sometimes
  • Often

Your dog's symptoms have increased or gotten worse.

  • Strongly agree
  • Agree
  • Disagree
  • Strongly disagree

You feel confident about being able to manage your dog's current health.

  • Never
  • Not often
  • Some of the time
  • Most of the time

Benefits of end-of-life care for pets

End-of-life care allows your animal to live with dignity in their final days. It also:

  • Ensures your pet's pain and anxiety are managed

  • Gives you and your pet time to say goodbye

  • Takes the mystery out of when it's time to consider euthanasia

  • Boosts your pet's quality of life, which may extend their life

How much does pet end-of-life care cost?

Costs for pet hospice services can vary, depending on your location and your vet's delivery system. And a home visit from a vet with a brick-and-mortar practice may cost more than a home visit from a mobile vet.

In general, here's what you might expect:

  • In-home hospice appointment: This type of visit may cost from $300 to $650.

  • Telehealth hospice appointment: A telehealth appointment is typically less expensive than an in-home visit and may cost around $150 to $350 an hour.

  • Additional fees: Some vets may charge extra for weekend or holiday visits, extended travel, or aggressive or exotic pets

  • Ways to save: Ask about a home or telehealth visit with a registered vet tech instead of the veterinarian.

Does pet insurance cover the cost of vet hospice?

Yes, many pet insurance plans cover vet hospice fees. Gardner says pet hospice is covered like any other appointment with a vet. "We just have a different conversation, and our outcomes are quality, not quantity, and caring, not curing," she said.

How to get pet end-of-life care

When you're ready to look for pet end-of-life care, start by talking to your vet. They may offer pet hospice services. If they don't or if you want a vet that focuses solely on end-of-life care, do a Google search for "hospice vets" in your community, call your local humane society, or contact one of the following organizations:

Pet hospice options in your area may include:

  • An in-home visit from your regular vet, a registered vet tech, or a vet nurse

  • An in-home visit from a vet that only practices hospice care

  • A mobile vet visit

  • A telehealth visit

What is the best way to accommodate a dying pet at home?

No pet owner wants to see their beloved animal struggle during their last days. Take these precautions to make your pet more comfortable at home:

  • Modify slippery floor surfaces with area rugs or rubber mats.

  • Make food and water easier for your pet to reach.

  • Make sure that their bedding is clean and comfortable.

  • If you have a cat, put their litter box in a more convenient location.

  • Keep your home free of clutter and sanitize as needed,

  • Ask your vet about managing issues like incontinence.

  • Consider at-home euthanasia.

The bottom line

Making your pet comfortable at the end of their lives can be emotionally challenging. You can better prepare yourself and your animal by working with a pet hospice team. They can prescribe medications to ease your pet's pain and anxiety, offer suggestions on how to modify your home, and give you guidance on when it's time to say goodbye.

A home hospice visit typically starts at $300. You can save money on end-of-life pet care by scheduling a telehealth visit or by working with a mobile vet tech when possible.

References

American Animal Hospital Association. (n.d.). Top 12 things you should know about AAHA's end-of-life care guidelines.

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (n.d.). End of life care.

View All References (4)
expand_more

Burns, K. (2018). Pet ownership stable, veterinary care variable. American Veterinary Medical Association.

Journeys Home. (n.d.). Quality of life scale calculator.

Lap of Love. (n.d.). Pet loss and grief resources.

Wagener, M. [Dr. Mary Wagener]. (2021). Knowing when it is time to say goodbye to a pet. [Video]. YouTube.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

Was this page helpful?

thumb_up_outlinedthumb_down_outlined
print_outlinedemail_outlined

Pet Health Tips from Our Vets

Sign up for our Pet Health newsletter to receive advice for current, aspiring, and doing-their-best dog and cat owners.
Email address
Subscribe
I would also like to sign up for a free GoodRx account

By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.