Pet Hospice and Palliative Care at Home in Snohomish County
Supportive care focused on comfort, guidance, and quality of life
Hospice and palliative care focus on comfort, quality of life, and support for pets with serious or life-limiting illness.
At Heartkind Home Veterinary Care, this care is typically provided through a Quality of Life and Care Consultation, allowing us to tailor care based on your pet’s needs and your family’s goals.
Care is provided in the familiarity of your home and tailored to your pet’s individual needs, guided by a veterinarian certified in hospice and palliative care.
You do not need to determine in advance whether your pet “needs hospice.” A consultation can help clarify what level of care and support would be most helpful.
If your pet is experiencing changes or has been diagnosed with a serious condition, we can use a consultation to assess comfort, talk through options, and decide together whether hospice-focused care is appropriate.
Hospice care does not mean you are waiting for a natural passing. When the time comes, in-home euthanasia can be provided with the same focus on comfort, dignity, and an unhurried experience.
If you’re noticing changes in your pet or aren’t sure what kind of support they need, you’re welcome to reach out. We can start with a conversation and take things one step at a time.
What Is Hospice & Palliative Care?
Veterinary hospice and palliative care focus on comfort, symptom management, and support for pets with advanced illness, chronic disease, or age-related decline. The goal is to maintain the best possible quality of life while providing guidance and support for families along the way.
This type of care may include pain management, mobility support, appetite and comfort strategies, and ongoing assessment as needs change.
When Hospice Care May Be Appropriate
Hospice or palliative care may be appropriate if your pet is experiencing:
- A terminal diagnosis
- Progressive or chronic illness affecting comfort
- Declining mobility, appetite, or energy
- Symptoms that are difficult to manage without support
- A need for ongoing guidance as conditions change
Hospice care does not require an immediate end-of-life decision and can be adjusted as things change.
How Hospice Care Is Provided
Hospice care is designed to provide ongoing support for both pets and their families as needs change over time. Care focuses on comfort, symptom management, and helping families navigate decisions with clarity and guidance.
Care typically begins with an in-home consultation, where we evaluate your pet’s condition and create a written care plan outlining observations, comfort recommendations, treatment options, and suggested next steps. This plan serves as a reference as your pet’s needs evolve.
Some pets benefit from occasional guidance and monitoring, while others require more frequent adjustments and closer support as conditions change.
Care may include:
• In-home assessment and physical exam
• Review of medications and comfort strategies
• Written care planning with guidance on what to monitor
• Follow-up communication by phone, text, or email
• Additional in-home visits as needed
• Active symptom management and medication adjustments
• Support for mobility, appetite, and daily comfort
• Ongoing guidance and decision support
Hospice care is not one-size-fits-all. Support is tailored to your pet’s needs and may change over time, with the goal of maintaining comfort and quality of life.
Pricing & Care Planning
Care is tailored to each pet and family, so recommendations and costs are discussed after an initial consultation in your home. The initial Quality of Life and Care Consultation is $395. Additional care recommendations are discussed based on your pet’s needs.
During this visit, we’ll talk through your pet’s condition, comfort, and needs, and create a plan that feels appropriate and manageable for you.
As circumstances change, care can be adjusted over time with open, transparent communication. Ongoing support, when needed, is discussed after the initial consultation and tailored to your pet’s condition and your preferences.
How Hospice Care Fits into Your Pet’s Care Plan
Hospice and palliative care are not separate appointment types, but rather a form of care that may be recommended during a Quality of Life and Care Consultation.
In some cases, families reach out specifically because their pet has a serious diagnosis or is declining. In others, hospice care becomes part of the plan after an initial consultation.
The goal is to provide continuity of care that adapts to your pet’s needs over time.
Scheduling & Next Steps
If you’re unsure whether hospice care is appropriate or what level of support may be needed, guidance is available prior to scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is veterinary hospice care?
Veterinary hospice and palliative care focus on comfort, symptom management, and quality of life for pets with serious or life-limiting illness. Care is provided at home and tailored to your pet’s needs, with guidance and support for families as things change over time.
Does hospice mean we are waiting for a natural passing?
No. Hospice care focuses on actively managing comfort and quality of life. It does not require an immediate end-of-life decision, and in-home euthanasia remains an option when appropriate.
What is the difference between hospice care and palliative care for pets?
Palliative care focuses on managing symptoms and improving comfort at any stage of illness, while hospice care is typically used when a condition is advanced and the focus shifts to comfort, quality of life, and support through the end of life. In practice, these approaches often overlap and are tailored to your pet’s needs.