When your cat’s health is deteriorating rapidly, making the decision to euthanize can be difficult and heartbreaking. Unfortunately, concerns about the cost of euthanasia may add to your stress. While prices vary from city to city or between clinics and shelters, having a general idea of what to expect can help you to prepare.
In this article, we’ll explain the costs involved with end-of-life care for your cat and break down the average typical costs by each provider.
Types of costs to consider
When it comes to euthanasia, the provider will likely present you with different end-of-life care options that address what you would like to be done with your cat’s body. Depending on your preferences, you may make the choice that your veterinarian or shelter provide one of the following services.
Euthanasia alone
To ensure a smooth and peaceful process for everyone involved, providers will usually use a two-step process to euthanize your cat.
- First, the vet or technician will give your kitty a tranquilizer to help your cat relax and prevent anxiety.
- Once your furbaby is sedated, she will slowly receive an IV injection of the euthanasia drug(usually phenobarbital). The medicine will make her go to sleep and stop her heart. The cost of euthanasia usually includes the office visit and the price of the medications.
Cremation process
When you have your cat euthanized, you’ll need to decide what should be done with her body once she is dead. While you may elect to bring the body home and bury it, many people decide to have their precious furbaby’s remains cremated. There are two options.
- Group cremation – With group cremation, your kitty will be cremated with other animals, and you will not get her ashes back. The remains will be disposed of by the crematory
- Individual cremation – With individual cremation, you will need to purchase an urn. The crematory will cremate your dog privately and return them to you. The cost of individual cremation is considerably higher than group cremation.
How much does it cost to euthanize a cat?
The price of euthanization for your cat can vary depending on the services you choose and where you take your cat to end her life. Depending on where you live, you may have as many as four provider options available to you.
- Your local veterinarian
- PetSmart’s Banfield clinic or a similar large-chain clinic
- The Humane Society or another local shelter
- In-home euthanasia services.
Let’s look at the average cost of euthanasia in each case. Note that the cost may be greater in some cities or geographical locations.
Cat Euthanasia Costs Table
| Euthanasia only (no cremation) | Euthanasia and group cremation | Euthanasia and individual cremation | |
| Local veterinarian | $75-100 | $125-150 | $175-250 |
| PetSmart’s Banfield Clinics | $50-70 | $130-140 | $250-260 |
| Humane Society | $25-35 | $70-90 | $180-220 |
| In-home service | $100-200 + travel fee | $150-250 + travel fee | $200-350 + travel fee |
Cost of Cremation-Only (No Euthanasia)
This applies if your cat has already passed away:
| Group Cremation Only (No Euthanasia) |
Individual Cremation Only (No Euthanasia) |
|
| Humane Society | $30-35 | $120-150 |
| PetSmart’s Banfield Clinics | $40-60 | $130-150 |
| Your Vet Office | $50-75 | $100-150 |
How to pick your provider
When deciding which provider you want to use to euthanize your cat, consider the cost of the services, your and your cat’s comfort, and the convenience level of the service.
1. Cost
If cost is a major constraint, contacting your local shelter or Humane Society may be the best option. While you may not have an established caregiver relationship, the staff is likely to care for your cat with compassion.
2. Personal comfort
Chances are you have an established relationship with a local veterinarian. Even though their end-of-life fees tend to be higher than a local shelter, you and your kitty may find comfort in a familiar setting with trusted caregivers.
3. Convenience
Working with an establishment like PetSmart’s Banfield clinics may be more convenient for you and your schedule, and the fees are often more manageable than a private clinic. The other factor to consider with respect to convenience is the location of each provider. If car rides stress your cat out, you may want to choose the option that’s closest to your home.
Once you carefully weigh your options, contact the provider to discuss end-of-life services. They will be able to describe how they will handle you and your cat and provide a quote for the process. At that point, you can schedule an appointment when you’re ready.