The decision to euthanise a dog

 

It’s extremely hard to know when it’s the right time to say goodbye to your dog. Whether an accident, illness or old age, the decision is never an easy one, and it’s one you should make with your vet as well as your family. Think about your dog and what quality of life they have. Talk to your vet and consider the costs of any future treatments that your dog may need.

The following may help you in making this heartbreaking decision:

Has their quality of life significantly changed?

Think about whether your dog can still enjoy all of the things that they have previously loved like walking, playing and mealtimes.

Are they in any pain?

Dogs have a high pain threshold which can make it hard for us to know how much they’re suffering. Look for signs of pain including being quieter than usual, not wanting to go on walks, not eating, trembling or shaking and not wanting to be petted.

Are they still mobile?

Older dogs can naturally become less mobile, but think about whether your dog can move around easily or if they’re really struggling to walk around and settle. Are they able to go to the toilet easily? These factors can impact their happiness, mental health and hygiene.

Are they eating and drinking as usual?

Dogs that are unwell, unhappy or in pain often won’t eat or drink as much. If this seems to be more of a long-term issue, think about whether you can support them to eat for the foreseeable future by hand-feeding them and how this affects their quality of life.

Are there any future costly treatments needed?

Severe injuries or long-term illnesses can come with costly long-term treatments. Talk to your vet about your options and the costs of treatments. You’ll need to decide whether you can financially support the needs of your dog to give them the best quality of life.

Are they still enjoying their life?

Is your dog still happy? Are they still able to enjoy their favourite activities? Some days may be harder than others but consider whether they have more good days than bad days.

 

At home euthanasia costs

 

Knowing how much it costs to put your dog to sleep and any additional fees can help you to make tough decisions during the most difficult time of being a dog owner.

Having your dog put to sleep at home is an option, but it’s not always possible for your usual vet to arrange a home visit. Don’t worry though as there are organisations that offer this service on behalf of your vets. The cost to put a dog to sleep in the UK at home can range from £289 up to £349^[1] depending on your location and the size of your dog.

The benefits of having your dog put down at home are:

Comfort and familiarity: being in a familiar environment can provide comfort to your dog, reducing stress and anxiety during their final moments. Staying at home allows them to be surrounded by familiar scents, sights and sounds.

Reduced stress: for some dogs, visits to the vet can be stressful. Having your dog put down at home avoids this anxiety.

Family presence: at-home euthanasia allows all family members, including other dogs, to be present during the process. This can be emotionally beneficial for both the dog and your family helping to give closure.

Personalised experience: the process can be more personalised, allowing you and your family to create a peaceful and intimate atmosphere. You can play soothing music, light candles or create other comforting rituals.

More time for goodbyes: being at home provides you and your family with the opportunity to spend more time with your dog before and after the euthanasia. This extra time can be essential for saying heartfelt goodbyes and offering comfort.

Grieving in privacy: you can grieve in the privacy of your own home, allowing you and your family to mourn without the presence of others in a public setting.

Tailored schedule: it often allows for more flexibility and ensures that it can be done at the most convenient time for you and your family.

If you choose to have your dog put to sleep at home, talk to the organisation providing the service and make sure that your preferences are clear. Whilst there are many benefits, the decision ultimately depends on what is best for you and your dog.

 

The cost of putting a dog to sleep at the vets

 

The cost of having your dog put to sleep at a vet in the UK can range from £80 to £200^[2]. This fee usually covers a communal cremation, but prices can vary significantly based on:

• The size of your dog: the bigger the dog, the larger dose they will need.
• Your location: vet costs aren’t standardised in the UK and vary depending on the individual clinic.
• An emergency vet or regular hours: you may need an emergency appointment if your dog is involved in an accident. These come at a higher cost.
• Your pet insurance policy: some insurance policies will cover euthanasia like our Asda Lifetime insurance.
• Choosing a communal or individual cremation: deciding to have your dog cremated with other dogs or by themselves affects the cost, with individual cremation costing more.

The process of having your dog put to sleep at the vet is similar to at home. These are the usual steps:

• Before starting, your vet will talk you through the whole process.
• You will have to fill out some paperwork to consent to the procedure.
• Your vet will give either one or two injections which will slowly and painlessly stop your dog’s breathing and heartbeat. It will feel the same as falling asleep.
• You may stay with your dog until the end, and you’re able to hold them in your arms or on your lap.
• The vet will usually give you some time on your own to say your final goodbyes.

 

Cost of putting your dog to sleep based on size^[3]

 

The cost of putting your dog to sleep in the UK is based on their size. This is because bigger dogs will need a higher dose for the process to work effectively. Below you’ll see how the cost changes according to the size of your dog.

These costs are for at-home euthanasia:

Toy Dog

These are dogs weighing up to 10kg. It includes breeds such as Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu, Pug, Toy Poodle, Miniature Dachshund, Maltese Terrier. Costs start at £279.

Small Dog

These are dogs weighing between 11-20kg. It includes breeds such as Beagle, French Bulldog, Poodle, Miniature Schnauzer, Jack Russell, Border Terrier, West Highland Terrier, Cocker Spaniel. Costs start at £289.

Medium Dog

These are dogs weighing between 21-34kg. It includes breeds such as Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Red Setter, Boxer, German Shepherd, Dalmatian, Border Collie, Hungarian Vizsla, Springer Spaniel. Costs start at £299.

Large Dog

These are dogs weighing between 35-50kg. It includes breeds such as Greyhound, St Bernard, Rottweiler, Doberman, Bernese Mountain Dog. Costs start at £329.

How do I protect my dog and how can Asda Money help?

 

Dog insurance can offer financial protection and peace of mind in the event of unexpected vet expenses.

Explore Dog and Puppy Insurance at Asda Money and protect your pet today. Choose the right insurance for you and your pup by comparing our different cover types without any of the confusing insurance jargon. 

 

 

[1] https://cloud9vets.co.uk/the-cost-of-putting-a-dog-to-sleep/

[2] https://www.peacefulpetgoodbyes.uk/how-much-to-euthanise-a-dog-uk/

[3] https://cloud9vets.co.uk/the-cost-of-putting-a-dog-to-sleep/

Average Cost Of Dog Grooming Based On Size And Coat Type

 

So, how much does dog grooming cost for your dog? Often, the cost of grooming depends on the size of your dog and the length of their hair.

Below you’ll see the average cost of dog grooming in the UK, according to size and hair type.

Cost of Dog Grooming by Size and Coat Type	Short Hair/Smooth Coat	Long Hair/Silk/Wool	Wire Hair/Double Coat
Small Dogs	Jack Russell, Dachshund, French Bulldog, Chihuahua, Pug, Boston Terrier	Bichon Frise, dachshund, Toy Poodle, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Lhasa Apso	Border Terrier, Sheltie, Norfolk, Norwich, Patterdale, Pomeranian
	From £29 to £35	From £39 to £65	From £40 to £65
Medium Dogs	Beagle, Greyhound, Bulldog, Dalmation, Whippet	Cockapoo, Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel, Miniature Poodle	Westie, Wire Fox, Scotty, Cairn, Miniature Schnauzer, Lakeland Terrier
	From £33	£47 to £65	From £44 to £85
Large Dogs	Labrador, Boxer, Pointer, Weimaraner, Vizla, Great Dane	Standard Poodle, Labradoodle, Border Collie, Setter	Golden Retriever, Newfoundland, Collie, Airedale, Husky, Portugese Water Dog
	From £39 to £65	£52 to £85	From £62 to £90

Size of the dog

The smaller the dog, the less time it should take to groom them. And the bigger the pooch, the more time they’ll need to be in the groomers to look their best. The cost of dog grooming is usually time-based, so it will cost you more for a longer groom.

Coat

Different types of coat take longer to cut too. A simple cut for a short haired dog can take less than an hour, whilst a groom for a dog with a longer coat can take up to three hours in some cases. This is all reflected in the cost.

So, whilst a jack russell on average costs under £30 for a groom, a border terrier with its wiry coat will be closer to the £40 to £65 mark. For larger dogs, and especially those with a double coat like a golden retriever, you’ll find the highest average costs.

Types of Grooming For Dogs

 

Professional dog groomers can also offer a variety of other treatments, from flea treatments to nail trimming. And if you really want to pamper your pooch, some even offer a nail polish treatment!

As well as a full dog grooming service, here are a few of the additional treatments a dog groomer may offer, and the average costs you can expect to pay.

 

Service	Estimated Average Cost
Full Dog Grooming	£29 - £62
Nail Polish	£10
Nail Trimming	£8 - £15
Flea Treatment	£7
Breath Foam Treatment	£4
Paw Treatment	£2
Coat Styling & Colouring	£40 - £50

How do I protect my dog and how can Asda Money help?

 

Whilst the cost of grooming isn’t covered by your pet insurance, dog insurance can help in the event of unexpected vet bills.

Explore Dog and Puppy Insurance at Asda Money and protect your pet today. Choose the right insurance for you and your pup by comparing our different cover types without the confusing insurance jargon. 

 

Sources:

https://pet-universe.co.uk/dog-grooming/dog-grooming-price-list/

https://www.nimblefins.co.uk/average-cost-dog-grooming-uk

https://www.uk.pedigree.com/dog-advice/caring-for-your-dog/how-much-for-dog-grooming

https://www.airtasker.com/uk/costs/dog-grooming/dog-grooming-cost/