What to do if my pet passes away at home?
Quick Answer
If your pet passes away at home, first confirm their passing by checking for breathing and heartbeat, then gently cover their body with a blanket, and immediately contact your veterinarian within 1-2 hours for guidance on body care, transport arrangements, and discussing options like cremation or burial.
Understanding Pet Loss at Home
When a pet passes away at home, it is an incredibly emotional and often unexpected event that leaves many owners feeling lost and unsure of what to do next. The immediate aftermath involves both processing grief and making practical decisions about your pet's remains. It's important to understand that while your immediate reaction will be emotional, there are practical steps you need to take relatively quickly to ensure proper care for your beloved companion's body.
While the exact timeframe can vary based on factors like ambient temperature, the body will begin to undergo changes within a few hours. Rigor mortis, the stiffening of muscles, typically starts within 10 minutes to 3 hours after death and can last up to 72 hours. This process means that if you wish to gently adjust your pet's limbs or close their eyes, it's best to do so within the first hour or two before significant stiffening occurs. Understanding this helps you manage expectations for body handling and emphasizes the importance of contacting your veterinarian within the first 1-2 hours for guidance, especially if you need to arrange professional services or have questions about legal requirements in your area.
This initial period is often a blur of shock and sadness, but having a clear plan can help you navigate the necessary steps with a sense of purpose and respect for your pet. Remember, you don't have to face this alone; your veterinary team is a crucial resource for support and practical advice during this difficult time.
How to Handle Your Pet's Body After Passing
First, you need to confirm your pet has truly passed. Gently observe for any signs of breathing by watching their chest, listen for a heartbeat by placing your ear against their left side behind the elbow, and check their pupils for dilation and lack of responsiveness to light. Their eyes may remain open, and their jaw might drop slightly. Once confirmed, allow yourself a moment to grieve; this is a profound loss.
Next, prepare your pet's body for temporary care. Gently lay your pet on their side, as if sleeping. If you wish, you can gently close their eyes and mouth. Place an old towel or blanket underneath them, then cover them completely with another clean towel or blanket. For smaller pets, you might carefully place them into a sturdy box or a double-layered heavy-duty plastic bag, like a thick garbage bag, to prevent any leakage and contain odors.
For temporary preservation, move your pet to the coolest part of your home, such as a basement or garage, especially if you cannot contact your vet immediately or if it's overnight. For smaller pets, you can place the double-bagged body in a cooler with ice packs, ensuring the ice packs are wrapped in towels so they do not directly touch the body, which can cause freezer burn. This temporary storage should ideally not exceed 4-6 hours before professional arrangements are made, as decomposition will continue. During this time, it's a good idea to collect any keepsakes you desire, such as a small lock of fur or making a paw print impression with non-toxic clay.
Immediately after these initial steps, within 1-2 hours, contact your veterinarian. Explain that your pet has passed away at home and you need guidance on next steps. They will advise you on transporting your pet to their clinic, discuss options like communal cremation, private cremation with ashes returned, or home burial possibilities (which often have local regulations regarding depth, location, and species). If it's after hours, they may direct you to an emergency veterinary clinic or a pet funeral home that offers 24/7 services. They can also explain the costs associated with each option, which typically range from $75 for communal cremation for a small pet to $300-$500 or more for private cremation with an urn for a large dog. When transporting, use a sturdy container or the double-bagged method for hygiene and respect.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One frequent error is delaying contact with your veterinarian or a pet aftercare service. Many people do this because they are overwhelmed with grief or unsure of what to do, but delaying can limit your options for respectful body care and make the process more difficult due to natural decomposition. Always aim to make contact within the first 1-2 hours after your pet's passing to get professional guidance and arrange prompt transport.
Another common mistake is improper temporary body storage. Leaving your pet's body in a warm room or uncovered can accelerate decomposition, lead to unpleasant odors, and attract insects, which is distressing. Always move the body to the coolest available spot, like a garage floor or a basement, and cover it completely with a blanket or place smaller pets in a double-bagged container in a cooler with indirect ice packs for up to 4-6 hours.
A third error is attempting to dispose of your pet's body without understanding local regulations, especially concerning home burial. Many municipalities have specific rules about pet burial depth, distance from water sources, and even prohibit it entirely to prevent environmental contamination or disturbance of wildlife. Always check your local city or county ordinances before considering a backyard burial; your veterinarian can usually provide this information or direct you to the correct resource.
Finally, many pet owners make the mistake of not allowing themselves adequate time to grieve or seeking support. The intense sadness, guilt, or anger that can accompany pet loss is normal and valid. Pushing these feelings aside or not acknowledging the depth of your bond with your pet can lead to prolonged emotional distress. It is crucial to allow yourself to feel, talk to trusted friends or family, or consider professional grief counseling or pet loss support groups.
Expert Tips for Best Results
A crucial expert tip is to consider pre-planning for end-of-life care, especially for senior or terminally ill pets. Discussing options like euthanasia, cremation services, and memorialization with your veterinarian well in advance can significantly reduce stress and uncertainty when the time comes. This allows you to make calm, rational decisions without the immediate emotional burden of fresh grief, ensuring your pet's final moments and aftercare align with your wishes.
Another valuable tip is to create a tangible memorial immediately after your pet passes, if you are able. While your vet or a pet funeral home can often assist, taking a paw print impression with air-dry clay or ink, or carefully clipping a small lock of fur, provides a lasting physical remembrance that can be incredibly comforting. These small acts, performed respectfully, offer a concrete way to honor your pet's memory and can be done within the first few hours before professional services are engaged.
Seek out specific grief support resources tailored to pet loss. Unlike human loss, pet grief is sometimes misunderstood or minimized, which can make the mourning process feel isolating. Many veterinary schools offer pet loss hotlines, and there are numerous online and local support groups. For example, the ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline at 1-877-GRIEF-10 offers compassionate support and resources to help you navigate your feelings and connect with others who understand your pain.
If you have other pets in the household, allow them to investigate the deceased pet's body if they choose. Animals often understand death in their own way, and this can help them process the absence of their companion, preventing confusion or prolonged searching. Observe their reactions and provide extra comfort and reassurance to your surviving pets, as they may also experience behavioral changes or signs of grief following the loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have before I need to make arrangements for my pet's body?
You should contact your veterinarian or a pet aftercare service immediately, ideally within 1-2 hours of your pet passing, to discuss arrangements. While temporary storage in a cool place or cooler with ice packs can preserve the body for 4-6 hours, prompt action ensures the widest range of options and prevents decomposition issues.
Can I bury my pet in my backyard if they pass away at home?
Backyard burial depends entirely on your local city or county ordinances. Many areas prohibit it due to environmental concerns, while others require specific depths (e.g., at least 3 feet deep) and distances from water sources. Always check with your local animal control or veterinarian for specific legal requirements in your area before considering a home burial.
What are the common options for pet cremation after they pass?
The two main cremation options are communal and private. Communal cremation involves cremating multiple pets together, and you do not receive ashes back. Private cremation means your pet is cremated individually, and their ashes are returned to you, often in a basic urn or a decorative one you choose, typically within 7-14 business days.
What if my pet dies at night or on a weekend when my vet is closed?
If your pet passes at night or on a weekend, you can temporarily store their body in the coolest part of your home, such as a garage or basement, or in a cooler with ice packs (wrapped in towels) for smaller pets. Then, contact an emergency veterinary clinic or a 24-hour pet funeral home in your area immediately for guidance and to arrange transport or pick-up services.
How do I explain my pet's passing to children or other pets in the house?
For children, use simple, honest language appropriate for their age, avoiding euphemisms like 'gone to sleep.' Explain that their body stopped working and they won't be coming back, but their love and memories remain. For other pets, allow them to sniff and investigate the deceased pet's body if they choose, as this can help them understand the absence and can prevent behavioral changes from prolonged searching.