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What To Do If My Pet Dies At Home
It may not be something that you want to think about, but there will come a time when you need to say the final farewell to your beloved pet. While that oftentimes will take place at your trusted veterinarian’s office, there are times your pet dies at home. At Pet Cremation Services we are here to support you and strive to make such a difficult time just a little easier.
If your pet is under the care of a veterinarian at the time of his or her passing, he or she can guide you through the next steps. However, if your pet dies in your home, there are options to consider. Whether you simply want the body to be removed from your home, or you wish to permanently memorialize your pet in some special way, the choice is yours.
If your pet does die at home, there are a few things that every pet parent or owner should know:
Here are a few things that every pet parent or owner should know:
Ensure Your Pet is Deceased
It is not uncommon for ailing and elderly pets to breathe very shallowly and lie still or sleep for long periods of time, particularly if they are transitioning and death is near.
Call For Help
Losing a pet is difficult and can cause a wide range of emotions. If you can, contact a friend or family member for emotional support. They can help you care for your pets remains in a practical way. If you believe it will be too difficult to personally handle your pet’s body, contact someone is capable of assisting you.
Place Your Pet on a Towel or Blanket
When your pet dies, physical changes begin immediately. As the pet’s muscles begin to relax, their body may begin to expel fluids, which may cause stains. Ideally, move your pet’s body to a cold stone floor like a garage floor, as this will keep it cool.
Position Your Pet
To make moving, transportation, and burial easier, gently tuck your pet’s legs into their body before stiffening sets in, which typically occurs 3 to 4 hours after death. Particularly if your pet is large, it may be difficult to move alone.
Let Other Pets Smell Your Deceased Pet
By allowing the pet to sniff their friend’s body, it will help them to understand what has happened and they can start to grieve.
Prepare For The Final Goodbye
Upon your pet’s passing, contact Pet Cremation Services directly or ask your veterinarian to do so, and we will send a member of our care team to pick up your pet following our trustworthy and established process that we have relied on for over 25 years.
Keep Your Pet’s Body Cool
While you are waiting for the PCS Care Team to pick up your pet’s body or before you take it to the veterinarian’s office, keep it cool. If possible, wrap the pet in a couple of plastic bags and move it to a cool, dry place such as a garage.
Memorialize Your Pet
While you wait for your pet to be picked up, you can start to think about how you would like memorialize them. Our website offers memorial products for you to view. It may be too difficult for you to consider during this time and that is ok. Our team is able to walk you through the process upon their arrival.
Allow Yourself To Grieve
No matter if your pet’s death was planned or sudden, the loss is still felt and it hurts. Our pets are beloved members of our family and the void they leave is hard to fill. Give yourself the time to grieve the loss. Surround yourself with friends and family who will wrap you in sympathy and support.
At Pet Cremation Services we are here to support you and strive to make such a difficult time just a little easier.
