What Happens During In-Home Euthanasia: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re considering in-home euthanasia for your pet, you likely have questions about what the process actually looks like. What will happen when the veterinarian arrives? How long does it take? Will my pet feel pain?

Knowing what to expect can help remove some of the fear and uncertainty from an already difficult day. This guide walks you through Healing Touch’s specific process for in-home euthanasia appointments. While other providers may have similar approaches, this reflects how we do things and what you can expect when you work with us.

Requesting an appointment: Most families start by filling out our Request an Appointment form on our website, though you can also call us directly to provide this information over the phone.

Scheduling: Once we receive your request, we reach out—usually within minutes during normal business hours—to schedule your appointment and answer any initial questions.

Authorization form: After your appointment is scheduled, you’ll receive an electronic authorization form via email. This is where you’ll select your preferences for the appointment, including cremation options (if you choose cremation), any memory products you’d like, and which veterinarian you’d like us to notify afterward.

Day of appointment: The morning of your appointment, we’ll email you a copy of your invoice. You’ll receive a link if you’d like to prepay by card. Otherwise, our doctor can take payment when they arrive (we accept cash with exact change, card, or check, as well as CareCredit and ScratchPay).

If you’d like guidance on how to prepare your space and plan for the emotional aspects of the day, we’ve created a comprehensive guide: How to Prepare for In-Home Euthanasia.

We’ll sit down together to discuss the process and make sure everyone knows what to expect. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes.

We’ll talk about:

• How your pet has been doing
• Any questions or concerns you have
• Your preferences for how things will unfold
• The two steps of the process: sedation and euthanasia
• Aftercare arrangements and any keepsake options you’d like

We’ll take care of payment at this time so afterward you can focus entirely on yourself and your family. This conversation is a chance for you to ask anything on your mind—some families want to know every detail, others prefer a gentler overview. We’ll match our approach to what feels right for you.

Step 1: Sedation

We begin by administering a combination of sedative and pain medication that helps your pet gently fall asleep. This injection is given into the muscle—it can feel similar to when you get a tetanus vaccine. We’ll ask a family member to help hold your pet for this injection, and we do everything we can to provide distraction with treats and affection.

The injection itself is very quick (just a few seconds), and this is the last discomfort your pet will feel. Most pets do not show much (if any) reaction to the sedation.

What happens next: The sedation usually takes 5-10 minutes to become fully effective, though sometimes it works faster or slower depending on your pet’s medical condition. We’ll let you know when they’re ready to move forward.

As the medication takes effect, it’s important to keep your pet safe—stay close, help them sit or lie down, and keep them away from stairs or elevated surfaces. Most pets gently relax and drift into a peaceful sleep. Their eyes may or may not fully close, and their tongue may stick out slightly—these are normal responses as the muscles relax.

Time with your sedated pet: Once your pet is fully sedated, they’re at the same level of deep sleep as surgical anesthesia. They’re completely comfortable and peaceful. They can still sense your presence—they can feel your touch and hear your voice—so this is a beautiful time to say your goodbyes.

This time is entirely yours. We’ll step out to give you privacy, and you can let us know when you’re ready to proceed—whether that’s 10 minutes or 30 minutes or longer. There’s no time limit.

If you’ve chosen memory items like paw prints or heartbeat recordings, we typically collect these after your pet is sleeping from the sedation.

Step 2: Euthanasia

When you’re ready, we’ll administer the final medication. We’ll determine the best method based on your pet’s condition—often by accessing a vein, though we have alternative methods if needed. Your pet won’t feel any of this because they’re already in such a deep, peaceful sleep.

The euthanasia solution: This medication is an overdose of an anesthetic. It takes your pet from deep sleep into an even more peaceful state, then gently stops the heart from beating.

What to expect: Depending on your pet’s size and health, it can take several minutes to administer the solution—we do this slowly and carefully. Then it takes additional time for the heart to stop. We’ll listen with a stethoscope to confirm when your pet has peacefully passed.

Because your pet is already so deeply sedated, there’s usually very little change in their appearance. Their breathing typically stops before their heart does. From your pet’s perspective, they’re only experiencing peaceful rest—they’re completely unaware of what’s happening.

Your pet will not feel pain. The sedation ensures they cannot feel anything. They experience only deep, comfortable sleep, and then a gentle transition to peace.

Once we’ve confirmed your pet is gone, we’ll give you as much time as you need to be with them. Some families want just a few minutes; others want much longer. This is your time.

You might:

• Sit quietly with your pet
• Include other pets in the room so they understand what’s happened
• Perform any rituals you’ve planned (lighting a candle, saying a prayer, placing flowers)
• Take photos or collect additional keepsakes

When you’re ready, we’ll help with aftercare based on what you’ve chosen. If you’ve selected cremation through us, we’ll carefully prepare your pet for transport. If you’re making your own arrangements, we’ll help prepare them for that as well.

“Will my pet know what’s happening?”

Your pet will know you’re there with them, and they’ll feel your love and comfort. They won’t understand the concept of euthanasia, but because of the sedation, they’ll feel deeply relaxed and peaceful. From their perspective, they’re simply falling asleep while surrounded by the people they love most.

“Will it be peaceful?”

Yes. The two-step process ensures your pet experiences no pain or distress. The sedation places them in a deep, comfortable sleep, and the euthanasia solution simply takes them from that sleep to a peaceful passing. The entire experience is gentle.

“How will I know when it’s over?”

We’ll listen to your pet’s heart with a stethoscope and confirm for you when they’ve passed. We’ll never leave you uncertain about this.

“What about other pets?”

We encourage including other pets if it feels right to you. Many families find it helps their other animals understand what’s happened, though every pet responds differently to loss. We can discuss the best approach for your specific situation.

The actual medical process moves at your pace—we never rush. Most of that time is spent in conversation and giving you space to be with your pet after the sedation and after they’ve passed. If helpful, on our end, we plan for an hour for each appointment, though oftentimes, owners do not need that much time.

The benefit of in-home euthanasia is that your pet experiences their final moments in familiar surroundings, with the sights, sounds, and smells they’ve known their whole life. There’s no stressful car ride, no waiting room, no unfamiliar exam table.

Instead, they’re on their favorite blanket, or in their sunny spot, or curled up on the couch with you. They can hear your voice without the background noise of a clinic. They can smell home.

For many families, this makes all the difference. The experience is more intimate, more personal, and more focused on what matters: your connection with your pet in their final moments.

Grief after pet loss is real and profound. In the days and weeks that follow, you may experience waves of sadness, moments of guilt, or even relief mixed with sorrow. All of these feelings are normal and valid.

We’ve compiled resources to help you navigate this difficult time: Pet Loss Grief Resources

We understand that reading about this process doesn’t make the decision easier. Nothing can. But we hope that understanding what will happen helps remove some of the fear and uncertainty, allowing you to be more present for your pet when the time comes.

Your presence, your touch, your voice—these are what matter most to your pet. Everything else, we’ll handle with care and compassion.