End of life care for cats

When it is time to say goodbye

Thinking about your cat's quality of life and deciding when to say goodbye can be a very difficult and emotional time. At Manchester Cat Clinic we do everything we can to make the process calm and peaceful, and have a dedicated quiet room for difficult days. If you are upset, or want some privacy, we can keep you out of the waiting room and in your own quiet space. Our most important consideration is your cat's dignity and comfort.

If you aren't sure whether to put your cat to sleep or not, you are always welcome to book an in-person or telephone consultation with the vet. We can help you to assess your cat's individual situation and talk things through without judgement. This page from the PDSA also has some useful guidance on how to tell if your cat has good quality of life.

You are welcome to be present when your cat is put to sleep. If you like, you can hold them, be next to them, brush them or feed them treats. However, it is OK if you don't want to be there - not everyone can be - whether you are there or not, we will care for your cat gently and with dignity. (Occasionally a social media post circulates which says that pets are very distressed if their owners leave them when they are put to sleep - we can categorically state with experience that this is not true, and that you if you don't feel comfortable being present, you shouldn't feel badly about it.)

Costs

We know that settling your bill is the last thing you need to be thinking about when you're dealing with the end of your cat's life. If you know that your cat is going to be put to sleep, you may prefer to pay in advance so that you don't have to think about the bill afterwards. We can email you an online link for payment, so that you can deal with it in the privacy of your home rather than in our waiting room.

Prices

• Euthanasia   £100
  No additional charge for routine (communal) cremation

• Individual cremation   £150
  Any of the return / casket choices below are included in the cost of individual cremation

• Free of charge individual cremation, with return in a wood casket, is available through the Veterinary Tissue Bank scheme - more information can be found at the bottom of this page.

For cats who pass away at home

• Routine (communal) cremation   £25

• Individual cremation   £150
  Any of the return / casket choices below are included in the cost of individual cremation

Return choices

• Cardboard scatter box

• Pewter urn

• China urn

• Bamboo casket

• Carved wood casket

• Wood tribute box with photo frame lid

• Wood sleeping cat casket in brown, brown/black colourpoint or black

There are also options to donate your cat's body to help other cats through tissue donation or teaching - for more information, see the bottom of this page.

To be eligible for the Tissue Donation Scheme, cats must...

• Be aged at least 1 year or older

• Be vaccinated within the last 3 years

• Not have cancer, infections, uncontrolled systemic disease or autoimmune disease

• Have a full medical history available

• Have a blood sample taken by the vet shortly after they pass away

After a cat has donated tissue, their body is individually cremated and returned in a wood casket within 3 weeks. This individual cremation is free of charge (usually £150 for cats who do not donate tissue).

We only ever donate tissue from cats whose owners have given their written consent. We can not donate tissue from stray cats or cats whose owners have not expressly chosen to do this.

If you would like to donate your cat's tissue to the Veterinary Tissue Bank, please speak to a member of our team.