Deciding when to say goodbye to a dog or cat is one of the hardest calls a pet owner ever makes. Most families start asking the question long before they are ready to answer it, usually when a senior pet stops eating, struggles to get up, or seems to have more bad days than good ones.
At Montclair Veterinary Associates, we help families work through that decision honestly and without pressure. When the time comes, we perform euthanasia here at our Montclair clinic in a quiet, unhurried appointment, and we arrange aftercare so you do not have to handle those details yourself.
There is rarely one clear moment. More often, it is a slow change in how your pet lives day to day. Signs we ask families to watch for include:
Some owners find it helps to mark each day on a calendar as good or bad. When the bad days start to outnumber the good ones, it is worth booking a visit. Dr. Waxman will examine your pet, talk through what we are seeing, and tell you plainly whether there is still treatment worth trying or whether keeping your pet comfortable is the kinder path. For older dogs and cats with ongoing conditions, regular senior pet care visits make these conversations easier because we already know your pet’s history.
Walking into the clinic for this visit is hard. We keep the appointment as calm and private as we can, and we explain every step before it happens so nothing comes as a surprise.
Euthanasia is performed at our Montclair clinic only. We do not offer in-home euthanasia. Because every pet and every family’s wishes are different, we do not list prices online. Please call us and our team will walk you through costs and aftercare options before you schedule.
Not every senior pet needs to be put to sleep right away. When a dog or cat has an illness we cannot cure, there is often still time that can be made comfortable. Pain medication, appetite support, and simple changes at home, like rugs on slippery floors or a bed that is easier to climb into, can give a pet good days that matter to the family.
We will be honest about what comfort care can and cannot do. If your pet has a long-term condition such as kidney disease or arthritis, our chronic illness care focuses on keeping symptoms under control, and we recheck often enough to tell you when that is no longer working. When it stops working, we will say so.
Dr. Cory Waxman has cared for pets across Northern New Jersey since 2011. Whether you are ready to schedule or just want to talk through your pet’s quality of life, we are here to help.
Call us at (973) 321-7229 or use our contact form, and let our front desk know what the visit is for so we can set aside the right amount of time.
No. We perform euthanasia at our Montclair clinic only. We keep the appointment quiet and unhurried, and you are welcome to take time with your pet before and after.
Yes, if you want to. Some families stay the whole time, and others prefer to say goodbye beforehand. Either choice is okay, and we will follow your lead.
We work with Pet Meadow for cremation. Our team makes the arrangements with them directly, and we go over your aftercare choices with you before the appointment so you do not have to decide in the moment.
The cost depends on your pet and the aftercare you choose, so we do not list prices online. Call our office and our team will go over costs with you before you schedule.
There is rarely one clear moment. Watch for a pet that stops eating, has trouble standing or walking, is in pain that medication no longer controls, or has more bad days than good ones. If you are unsure, book a visit and Dr. Waxman will examine your pet and give you an honest opinion.
