Dog euthanasia cost and what to expect

Julia Dicconson
Content Manager
August 20, 2021

When it comes to a pet’s end-of-life journey, owners are usually faced with large vet bills. Medication, euthanasia, and aftercare like cremation or burial can cost hundreds – sometimes even thousands – of dollars. Without even factoring in cremation or burial costs, the dog euthanasia cost in Australia can generally be anywhere from around $200 to upwards of $500. 

Many factors will determine the dog euthanasia cost. We will explain these in this article.

Dog euthanasia cost

Deciding to put your canine companion to sleep is tough, but the humane method of euthanasia prevents your pet’s prolonged pain and suffering. 

Dog euthanasia cost is dependent on a few factors:

1. The dog’s size 

A higher dose of anaesthesia is usually needed to put larger animals to sleep. As a result, the dog Euthanasia Cost will usually be more for a Great Dane than a chihuahua.

2. Where the dog euthanasia will happen 

The price of euthanasia at home for dogs will cost more as mobile vets usually charge a call-out fee and/or and travel expenses, in addition to the medication cost. You can read more about dog euthanasia at home vs in-clinic in our article here.

Similarly, the dog euthanasia cost at an emergency clinic is often more expensive than at a standard vet clinic.

3. The provider

Prices will vary depending on the vet or pet end-of-life provider and the type of service. For example, Goodbye Good Boy provides in-home euthanasia and specialises in individualised end-of-life services. The team operate 7 days per week and do not charge additional fees based on the time of day or day of week.

How much does euthanasia at home for dogs cost?

As mentioned earlier, euthanasia at home for dogs cost is more than putting a dog to sleep in a vet clinic due to transport, call-out fees and a longer appointment time. At Goodbye Good Boy, we allow 45min - 1 hour for an in-home euthanasia service, compared with an in-clinic vet that generally operates in 15-20 minute appointments. Some providers charge $300-400, however our premium service at Goodbye Good Boy starts at $500. 

Our dedicated veterinarians are passionate about supporting families with the peaceful passing of their best friend. We also offer memorialisation and aftercare options, as well as complimentary grief support.

At Goodbye Good Boy, we have had the privilege of supporting dedicated pet owners across Australia.

Danielle said she and her family would be forever grateful that we were by their side on the difficult day her girl Lucy was put to sleep.

“…the care and compassion that was showed to both her and our family was so greatly appreciated. To be able to watch our precious dog go to sleep in her own bed, surrounded by her family, made an incredibly difficult time much easier to endure.”

Maria shared a similar experience saying goodbye to her pup. 

“We really appreciated just how caring and respectful the vet was, she took time to familiarise herself with our dog and make sure our dog was comfortable and trusted her so she wasn’t stressed or anxious. The vet made sure our dog was comfortable and sleepy during the euthanasia process. As she put it, ‘she will feel like she is drifting off to sleep’ and that’s how it went.”

Another owner, Ant, was grateful to the Goodbye Good Boy team for supporting his family during his pet Emerson's last week and beyond.

“Our little guy quickly grew unwell and it helped immensely to have Stephanie at Goodbye Good Boy walk us through how we could make Emerson's last few days comfortable for him and meaningful for us. All the arrangements were made fuss-free and each person we encountered was sensitive and professional.”

To find out the cost of at-home euthanasia for your dog, visit the Goodbye Good Boy website here, or call our friendly team on 1800 953 619. 

What to expect during the dog euthanasia procedure

As a group of pet lovers ourselves, we understand your dog’s end of life journey can be a difficult process. We are here to support you every step of the way.

1. Support for your family

Your dedicated end-of-life arranger is available to support you at all times. We will treat your dog like one of the family. Our compassionate team is here to ensure your farewell is just as you had imagined.

2. A peaceful passing

We provide a peaceful euthanasia procedure in your pet’s home. We can tailor the service to your wishes for the perfect farewell. 

You can read more about the process in our article What’s involved with dog euthanasia? here.

Dog euthanasia cost considerations

If cost is the biggest consideration when it comes to putting your dog to sleep, a scheduled in-clinic euthanasia appointment is generally the most affordable option. Consequently, you should consider what that experience will be like for you and your canine companion before making the euthanasia appointment. 

A good place to start is by asking friends and family for recommendations on dog euthanasia service providers. To get an idea of the experience you might expect, look for reviews and customer feedback on the vet’s website and social media accounts.

The euthanasia procedure itself is only a few hundred dollars, but your pet’s end-of-life journey may include other veterinary charges depending on your wishes. In addition to the euthanasia itself, you should be prepared for other end-of-life costs, including:

  • Aftercare, including cremation service and transport, return of ashes, or burial at a pet cemetery.
  • Memorialisation options like a custom urn and keepsakes.

About us

Goodbye Good Boy is Australia’s premier pet end-of-life service. From grief counselling to euthanasia and cremation services, to fitting memorial options, we’re here to help you navigate your pet's end-of-life journey.

Dedicated owners treat their pets as equals in life. Goodbye Good Boy promises the same in death - offering a similar type of send-off you would expect for any other family member.

At Goodbye Good Boy, we provide home euthanasia services to support loving owners in providing a peaceful passing for their beloved pets.

The team at Goodbye Good Boy offers individualised support to help you and your family navigate this difficult time by providing quality-of-life checks, in-home euthanasia, cremation and aftercare services, and personalised memorialisation options. 

To learn more about our pet end-of-life services, give our team of passionate pet lovers a call on 1800 953 619.