Putting Your Pet Down and Saying Goodbye to Your Beloved Pet
Deciding to have your pet put down and having to say goodbye to them is one of the most difficult things you have to do as a fur parent. We understand the difficulty that a decision like this entails, and we wholeheartedly sympathize with you. At Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial we offer pet memorial stones that you can use to honor your beloved pet’s life when its time has come. To help you come to terms with this, we’re going to be talking about the process of having your pet put down, and what you can expect from it.

Once you have finally made your decision, you can say your final goodbye to your beloved pet. This event can be a very emotional time, so you can invite your family and friends, as well as anybody who has loved your pet. If you have small kids, you should properly explain to them what is going on, so they will be able to understand, as well as help prepare them for the loss of their pet, which can be very helpful with the grieving process. It will be difficult, so you have to do your best to be there by their side so that you can understand and help them.
Some pet owners may decide to stay by their pet’s side during the procedure so that they can give their pet reassurance and comfort. Some veterinarians offer a service where they can come to your home to perform the procedure so that your pet will be in a comfortable environment, surrounded by their loved ones during their final moments.
What Can You Expect During the Euthanasia Process?

Your veterinarian will explain the procedure before they start the process, so if you have any questions or concerns about the procedure, then you should feel free to ask, and they will be more than accommodating.
Small to medium-sized pets are usually placed on a table for the euthanasia procedure, while larger pets may be placed on the floor so they can lie comfortably. Make sure to keep your pet at ease by placing a blanket, pillow, or bed beneath them. Aside from the veterinarian, a veterinary technician may also assist them during the procedure. If you plan to stay during the procedure, then you must allow some space for the veterinarian and the veterinarian technician to work with no interruptions. You can ask the veterinarian where you can stay before the procedure starts.
During the euthanasia process, if your pet is experiencing anxiety or distress, veterinarians can also administer a sedative to calm the pet down. Your pet will become very drowsy or unconscious, so the veterinarian will be able to perform the euthanasia procedure smoothly. The sedative or tranquilizer can be administered using a needle into the pet’s skin or muscle or be given orally. It usually takes around 10-15 minutes for the sedative to work.
Veterinarians will use a drug like phenobarbital; they will draw the correct dose and administer it in the pet’s vein. For dogs, the front leg is commonly used, while in cats, the front or back leg is used. The injection does not cause any pain in your pet. Barbiturates work by depressing the central nervous system and it starts on the cerebral cortex which is the part of the brain that is responsible for the animal’s awareness. After the phenobarbital is injected, your pet will become unconscious and will proceed to anesthesia, where they will not experience or feel pain. When deep anesthesia occurs, the animal will stop breathing and experience cardiac arrest.

When the euthanasia solution is injected, most of the time the pet will die a quick death, which will occur in approximately ten seconds. The pet’s eyes may remain open and may pass urine or feces after the death, so do not be surprised about this. Other pets may also experience twitching and may seem to gasp, but it is considered normal. After the procedure, the veterinarian will use a stethoscope to check if the pet’s heart has already stopped. After confirming that it has passed, the veterinarian will give you a few moments so you can say your final goodbye to your pet. Some veterinarians may offer cremation or burial options. You can discuss this before the procedure begins.
Choosing pet euthanasia can be a difficult decision especially if you have been with your pet for a long time. But you must know that the process is painless and fast, which can give your pet a peaceful way to pass away. You will be helping prevent the experience of a stressful and terrifying death.

Burial or Cremation?
After the procedure, you can plan a ceremony or funeral for your pet. After you have discussed the appointment details with your veterinarian, you can focus on preparing for your pet’s funeral or memorial. Holding a funeral for your pet is important for your emotional well-being. The ceremony will allow you and your family to express the feelings of loss as well as an opportunity to offer support for everyone that will be affected when the euthanasia procedure occurs.

Choosing euthanasia for your beloved pet is the kindest and most humane decision as it is a painless procedure to end their suffering. If you want to honor your pet’s life, you can also opt for a pet memorial stone. At Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial, we offer customized and standard options. You can check out our design catalog here, and our gallery here.
If you want to check out the sizes and prices of our pet headstone and pet memorials, you can click the link here. You can browse through our client’s review and testimonials here. You can also contact us by filling up this contact form here. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to hit us up. We will gladly answer your questions and concerns.
If you are scared about the decision to have your beloved pet put down, we understand and we are here for you. At Rainbow Bridge Pet Memorial, we offer pet memorial stones; we can customize your order according to your preferred designs. We only use natural river stones and we carefully create and engrave them according to your requested designs.
If you have any questions or inquiries regarding our services and products that we offer please contact us. You can call us at 208-253-4557, or write us an email at [email protected]. You can also call us via our toll-free number 1-866-276-2548. You can also write to us on our PO Box Address is P.O. Box T