When you adopt a dog from a shelter, you understand that you are taking on the responsibility of caring for that animal for the rest of its natural life. Many people who adopt dogs do so knowing they will likely not have them for very long, as most shelters only keep animals until they find homes; but not everyone thinks that far ahead. If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot take care of your dog any longer—for whatever reason—you may need to know how to euthanize a dog with over the counter drugs.
This article covers everything you need to know about euthanasia techniques for dogs and cats, including over the counter drugs, pet euthanasia specialists, and more.
Table of Contents
What is Euthanasia?
Euthanasia is the act of ending a person’s life, either willingly or involuntarily, to relieve suffering. The most common ways of euthanizing a dog are through lethal injection or CO poisoning; however, other methods include:
When choosing a method of euthanasia, you’ll want to consider factors such as your dog’s age, health, and the immediacy of their suffering.
Euthanasia for Dogs with Over the Counter Drugs
If you choose to euthanize your dog with over the counter drugs, you need to do so very carefully. When administering drugs to an animal, you have to take into account the size of the dog, the dosage, and how quickly the drug will work.
To euthanize your dog with over the counter drugs, you will need to give your dog a lethal dose of medication. A good place to start is with one of the following:
Some of these drugs may be more effective than others; however, you should always perform due diligence before choosing a specific product. Consider talking to a veterinarian or doing some research online to find the best option for your dog.
Finding a Specialist to Help with Euthanizing your Dog
If you decide that the best course of action is to visit a veterinarian to have your dog euthanized, you can probably find one that offers this service near you. Keep in mind, however, that not all vets will perform this procedure.
If you take your dog to an animal shelter, they may be able to help you euthanize your dog; however, you should always call first to make sure they offer this service. If you know someone who works at a veterinary clinic or a pet crematorium, they may be able to help you out as well.
How to Euthanize a Dog With Veterinary Drugs
There are a couple of ways you can go about euthanizing your dog with veterinary drugs. The first is to administer a lethal injection.
If you are going to euthanize your dog with a lethal injection, start by administering an anesthetic. You can do this either through an injectable anesthetic or a humane trap.
Once your dog is under, administer the lethal injection. It’s important to note that this process may take a few minutes, as not all dogs will go down immediately. When administering the lethal injection, make sure you put the needle in the correct place to ensure your dog doesn’t suffer. A good place to inject is in the muscle behind the shoulder blades.
How to Find a Vet to Euthanize Your Dog
If you decide that the best option for you and your dog is to visit a veterinarian to have them euthanized, you may have some difficulty finding a doctor who will help you out.
You may want to start by calling your local animal control or shelter. These organizations may be able to point you in the right direction. You can also try Googling “veterinarian euthanasia” along with the name of your city.
If you don’t have any luck, try calling other veterinarians in your area and asking them if they euthanize animals. If you get one that says yes, you will want to ask them a few questions.
For starters, you will want to ask what the procedure entails. You will also want to ask what your options are—including choosing an alternative to euthanasia.
How to Euthanize a Cat With Over the Counter Meds
There are a few different ways you can euthanize your cat with over the counter drugs. You can choose to go with one of the following:
As with dogs, you should always make sure that you give your cat the right dosage of medication. If you are unsure how to best dose your cat, you can always talk to your veterinarian or search online to get some ideas.
Conclusion
As you’ve learned in this article, there are many different ways to euthanize a dog. If you decide that euthanasia is the best option for you and your pet, it’s important to know that it’s not something to be ashamed of or to feel guilty about. In fact, it’s the humane thing to do.
When you are in a situation where you have to decide how to euthanize a dog, you have many different choices. If you decide to go with over the counter drugs, be sure to carefully follow the dosage to ensure your dog doesn’t suffer.
