In-Home Pet Hospice & Palliative Care
Gone West Vet provides compassionate End-of-Life support for dogs and cats in Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and Marin County.
When your dog or cat is living with a terminal illness, progressive disease, or age-related decline, palliative and hospice care can help you focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life at home.
At Gone West Vet, we provide compassionate in-home pet hospice and palliative care in Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and Marin County. Our mobile veterinary team helps families understand their pet's condition, talk through comfort-focused options, monitor quality of life, and prepare for the next steps with honesty and care.
We cannot make these deeply personal decisions for you, but we can help you understand what may be happening medically, what changes to watch for, and when it may be time to consider additional support
Call About Your Pets Comfort
What Is Pet Palliative & Hospice Care
Pet Palliative Care focuses on comfort, symptom support, and quality of life for pets living with chronic, serious, or life-limiting conditions. It may be appropriate when a cure is not possible, when curative treatment is no longer the right fit, or when a family wants additional guidance around comfort-focused care.
Pet hospice care is often used when the goal has shifted from curing disease to keeping a pet as comfortable as possible. Hospice care can help families understand what to expect, what changes may signal decline, and how to prepare for end-of-life decisions with support from a veterinarian.
Both palliative care and hospice care are centered on comfort, dignity, quality of life, and family support. The right approach depends on your pet's condition, your goals, and your veterinary team's recommendations.
When to Consider Hospice or Palliative Care for Your Pet
Hospice or Palliative Care may be considered when a pet is facing a terminal illness, a progressive disease, advanced age, chronic pain, reduced mobility, appetite changes, cognitive decline, breathing changes, or a noticeable decrease in quality of life.
Some families reach out when they are not sure whether their pet is comfortable. Others contact us because they know their pet's condition is progressing and they want help preparing for what may come next.
Common reasons families ask for support include:
- Your pet has more difficult days than good days.
- Your dog or cat is eating less, losing weight, or showing less interest in normal routines.
- Mobility, pain, breathing, rest, or anxiety have become harder to manage.
- You are unsure whether hospice care, a quality-of-life exam, or euthanasia support is the next step.
- You want a compassionate plan that supports your pet at home.
What to Expect During an In-Home Hospice or Palliative Care Visit
An in-home hospice or palliative care visit gives your family time to discuss your pet's comfort, medical history, symptoms, quality of life, and day-to-day needs in the place where your pet feels most comfortable.
Depending on your pet's situation, the visit may include:
- A review of your pet's current condition, symptoms, and concerns.
- A quality-of-life conversation focused on comfort, appetite, mobility, breathing, rest, and behavior changes.
- Guidance around comfort-focused care and what changes to monitor at home.
- Discussion about whether additional veterinary care, a quality-of-life exam, telehealth support, or in-home euthanasia may be appropriate.
- Support for your family as you prepare for difficult decisions.
The exact plan will depend on your pet's condition and may be coordinated with your regular veterinarian when appropriate.
Quality-of-Life Guidance for End-of-Life Decisions
Quality-of-life conversations can help families better understand their pet's comfort. This may include appetite, hydration, mobility, breathing, rest, pain, anxiety, social interaction, hygiene, and whether your pet still has more good days than difficult days.
These conversations are not about rushing your decision. They are about helping you understand what your pet may be experiencing and what support may be available.
If In-Home Euthanasia becomes the kindest option, our team can help you talk through that decision with compassion and honesty.
Helpful Next Steps:
- Quality of Life Exam - For families who are unsure whether hospice care, palliative care, or euthanasia support is the next step.
- In-Home Euthanasia - For families who believe it may be time to say goodbye at home.
- Telehealth Visits - For families who may need virtual guidance before deciding whether an in-home visit is appropriate
- Cold Laser Therapy - For pets whose pain, comfort, or mobility may benefit from supportive therapy when appropriate.
Hospice and Palliative Care for Dogs and Cats
Dogs and cats can show pain, discomfort, and decline in different ways. Some pets become less interested in food, walks, play, grooming, or family interaction. Others may hide, become restless, have trouble getting comfortable, or show changes in breathing, mobility, toileting, or sleep.
Our role is to help you understand what these changes may mean and the options available to support your pet's comfort at home. Whether you are caring for an older dog, a cat with a progressive condition, or a pet with a terminal diagnosis, hospice and palliative care can provide guidance during a difficult stage of life.
Palliative and Hospice Care for Dogs
For dogs, palliative care may focus on comfort, mobility, appetite, pain management, breathing, anxiety, and day-to-day quality of life. The goal is to help families understand what their dog may be experiencing and whether supportive care at home may help maintain comfort.
Palliative and Hospice Care for Cats
Cats may show discomfort or decline in more subtle ways, such as hiding, eating less, grooming less, changing litter box habits, or withdrawing from family interaction. Hospice care can help families better understand these changes and make thoughtful decisions about comfort, quality of life, and next steps.
Call About Your Pets ComfortIn-Home Pet Hospice Care in Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County & Marin County
Gone West Vet provides mobile pet hospice and palliative care for families in Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and Marin County. An in-home visit allows your pet to remain in a familiar environment while your family receives guidance, support, and time to discuss comfort-focused next steps.
If you are searching for a hospice vet near you, pet palliative care, or end-of-life veterinary support at home, our team can help you determine whether an appointment is appropriate for your pet's needs.
Areas We Serve:
- Santa Rosa, CA
- Sonoma County (Including Rohnert Park, Cotati, and Sonoma)
- Marin County (Including San Rafael, Novato, Fairfax, and nearby communities)
- Petaluma, CA
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Hospice & Palliative Care
Is palliative care the same as hospice care for dogs and cats?
Palliative care focuses on comfort and quality of life for pets with serious, chronic, or life-limiting conditions. Hospice care is often used when the goal has shifted fully from cure to comfort as a pet approaches the end of life. The right approach depends on your pet's condition and your family's goals.
When should I consider pet hospice care?
Hospice care may be considered when a pet has a terminal illness, progressive decline, chronic discomfort, reduced mobility, appetite changes, or more difficult days than good days. A veterinarian can help you understand what your pet may be experiencing and what support may be appropriate.
How long can a pet receive palliative or hospice care?
The timeline varies. Some pets may benefit from comfort-focused support for weeks or months, while others may need help during a more immediate decline. The plan should be based on your pet's condition, comfort, and quality of life.
What happens during an in-home hospice or palliative care visit?
A visit may include a review of your pet's symptoms, medical history, comfort level, quality of life, home care needs, and next steps. The goal is to help your family understand options and support your pet as comfortably as possible.
How do I know if my dog or cat is suffering?
Signs can vary, but families often watch for changes in appetite, mobility, breathing, rest, interaction, toileting, pain, anxiety, or whether the pet still seems to enjoy normal routines. If you are unsure, a quality-of-life conversation can help.
Can hospice care help with the euthanasia decision?
Yes. Hospice and palliative care can help families better understand their pet's comfort, decline, and quality of life. If euthanasia becomes the kindest option, the team can help you talk through that decision with compassion and honesty.
How much does pet hospice or palliative care cost?
Costs can vary based on appointment type, service area, travel needs, and the level of support required. The team can confirm pricing and appointment details before scheduling.
Do you provide pet hospice care at home in Petaluma and Santa Rosa?
Yes. Gone West Vet provides in-home pet hospice and palliative care for families in Petaluma, Santa Rosa, and surrounding areas.
Do you serve Sonoma County and Marin County?
Gone West Vet serves Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and Marin County. Families can contact the team to confirm availability for their specific location.
What if I am not ready to decide about euthanasia?
That is okay. Many families contact us for guidance, not because they are ready to say goodbye. A hospice or palliative care visit can help you better understand your pet's comfort and what options may be available.
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