End-of-Life Care and Pet Euthanasia Services in San Diego

Quality-of-life guidance, comfort markers, and an honest look at the process.

Peaceful, dignified goodbye

Thinking about end-of-life care is a sign of how much you want your pet to be comfortable. At The inFURmary, we help you understand what your pet is experiencing and what comfort truly looks like. With advanced training in pain management, our team can assess whether it is time to say goodbye or if comfort care may still help. When that time does come, our focus is a peaceful, dignified goodbye in a calm, private space.

End-of-life appointments happen in a quiet, comfortable space away from the main clinic. Your pet can rest on a sofa or a blanket you bring from home. We keep the room peaceful and unhurried so your pet feels safe and you never feel rushed.

Your pet receives a gentle sedative before anything else. They relax, fall asleep, and drift into a deep, pain-free rest. Once they are fully asleep, the final injection is given with no fear or awareness. Our advanced training in pain management guides every sedation plan to ensure your pet’s comfort is prioritized.

We explain exactly what to expect, what each medication does, and what is normal to see. You choose how present you want to be. If you need to step out, your pet is held by our team so they are never alone. Many families worry about “doing the wrong thing.” We give you grounded medical guidance and emotional support so you never have to make decisions alone.

Before your appointment, we review your choices for communal or private cremation through our partner, Peaceful Waters, and answer any questions you have. Nothing is rushed, and you have time to make the decision that feels right. Planning ahead avoids overwhelm in the moment.

Need Help Now?

If your pet is declining or seems uncomfortable, call us. We will ask a few quick questions, help you understand what your pet needs, and prepare our comfort room if a same-day visit is appropriate. You do not need to know whether it is time before you reach out.

Quality of Life: How to Understand What Your Pet Is Feeling

Signs your pet may be uncomfortable or in pain

Pets hide pain, so the shifts are often small. Look for changes in appetite, mobility, breathing, rest, accidents, or interest in daily routines. When these patterns show up more often, it may mean your pet’s comfort is declining.

What to expect with a quality-of-life exam

A QOL exam at The inFURmary is a focused assessment of your pet’s comfort, mobility, and overall wellbeing. Our team’s advanced training in pain management allows us to identify pain that is easy to miss and evaluate whether current treatments are still helping. You get a clear understanding of how your pet is doing and what options make sense to explore.

Clear guidance on your next steps

Some pets can be made more comfortable with updated pain plans or supportive care. Others are nearing the point where a peaceful goodbye is the kindest option. We walk you through both possibilities so you feel informed and supported in whatever comes next.

What to Expect When Saying Goodbye

A calm, private space for their final moments

When you decide the time is right, we prepare a quiet, comfortable room in our San Diego veterinary clinic where your pet can rest on a sofa or a blanket you bring from home. The visit is unhurried and our highest priority is keeping your pet peaceful and pain-free.

A gentle goodbye

Your pet receives a sedative first so they relax into a deep, comfortable sleep. Once they are fully asleep, the final medication is given. Most pets are unaware of this step. You can stay with your pet, or some pet parents choose to step out once they are resting. If you leave, our team stays with your pet so they’re never alone.

Aftercare options for your pet

We partner with Peaceful Waters, a trusted San Diego pet aquamation provider. Aquamation is a gentle, water-based alternative to traditional flame cremation that many families prefer for its low-heat process and environmentally friendly approach. Once you’ve made the decision to say goodbye, we coordinate everything directly with Peaceful Waters to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible during this difficult time.

There are two types of aquamation to choose from:

  • Communal aquamation: Your pet is aquamated with other pets and ashes are not returned. Typically costs $200 to $360 depending on your pet’s weight.
  • Private aquamation: Your pet is aquamated individually, and their ashes are returned to you in a basic urn. Typically costs $325 to $405 depending on your pet’s weight.