Pet End-of-Life Care
Find support at the end of your pet’s journey from our team at Riverside South Animal Hospital. We provide gentle and dignified pet end-of-life care in Ottawa, ON, including pet euthanasia, hospice care, and pet cremation services, supporting both pets and families during this difficult time with compassion, respect, and guidance.
What Is Pet End-of-Life Care?
End-of-life care involves managing your pet’s comfort and quality of life. This may include palliative treatments, pain management, mobility support, and, when the time comes, humane euthanasia and aftercare arrangements.
Our veterinarians help you navigate this emotional process with empathy and clear communication.
What to Expect from End-of-Life Services
We understand just how personal and emotional end-of-life care decisions can be. We are here to help owners understand what quality of life means for them and their pets. Our goal is to support you in making informed decisions — without ever feeling rushed or pressured — while always respecting the unique and special bond you share with your pet.
Quality-of-life assessments to help determine your pet’s comfort level
Palliative care planning, including pain control and supportive treatments
In-clinic or home euthanasia performed with dignity and care
Quality-of-life assessments to help determine your pet’s comfort level
Palliative care planning, including pain control and supportive treatments
In-clinic or home euthanasia performed with dignity and care
Aftercare services through certified cremation providers, with options for urns and keepsakes
Emotional support and resources for grieving families
Aftercare services through certified cremation providers, with options for urns and keepsakes
Emotional support and resources for grieving families
Why End-of-Life Care Is Important
- Prevents unnecessary suffering by addressing pain and discomfort
- Provides families with guidance on difficult decisions
- Ensures euthanasia, when chosen, is performed peacefully and respectfully
- Offers closure and meaningful ways to remember beloved companions
When to Consider Euthanasia
Deciding on euthanasia is never easy, but it can be the kindest gift we give our pets. Our veterinarians may recommend this option when:
- Pain or discomfort cannot be controlled with medication or therapy
- Your pet struggles to eat, drink, or breathe comfortably
- Mobility is severely limited, causing distress or immobility
- There is ongoing vomiting, diarrhea, or incontinence that affects dignity
- Behaviour changes suggest fear, anxiety, or confusion due to illness
- The joyful moments of daily life are outweighed by constant suffering
While heartbreaking, choosing euthanasia at the right time spares pets from needless pain and prevents the indignity of a slow, frightening decline. We walk alongside families through this process, ensuring every decision is made with compassion and respect.
Benefits of Professional End-of-Life Services:
- Compassionate guidance through decision-making
- Pain management and palliative options for comfort
- Private, respectful euthanasia in a clinic or at home
- Trusted pet cremation with dignified aftercare choices
- Support for grieving families
Compassionate End-of-Life Care in Ottawa, ON
We have been caring for pets in Ottawa and Riverside South since 2007, and we understand how deeply families cherish their animal companions. Our veterinarians and staff are trained in hospice and end-of-life support, always prioritizing compassion and respect.
By working with certified cremation providers, we ensure every pet receives dignified aftercare. Families can also choose from urns, memorials, and pet memorial products to honour their pets.
Schedule an End-of-Life Care Consultation
If you are facing difficult choices about your pet’s health, you don’t have to go through it alone. Contact Riverside South Animal Hospital to discuss pet end-of-life services with our caring team.
