It doesn’t feel very good when you lose your close ones. Losing your pet is almost like losing your buddy, roommate, and a best friend. You get flashbacks of the time when you adopted them, how they grew up in your house, all the mischievous activities, the playtime, the cuddles, and so on. It is one of those phases nobody wants to be a part of. Thinking straight somehow happens to be difficult, but there are certain things you should be aware of if your dog passing away. Here is the complete guide on what to do when your dog dies.
What To Do When Your Dog Dies Naturally?
Assurance
If you think your dog has died naturally at home, your first step is to feel his heartbeat to see if he has a pulse. This is to make sure of the situation you’re dealing with. At times, dogs become unconscious due to some illness, in which case the quick medication is necessary to save their lives. If you feel a pulse, you need to rush your dog to the hospital.
Seek help from your vet
This is the most important part where you calm yourself and call your vet for assistance and support. If you’ve already seen this coming, then you must have plans. The best course of action would be to execute them. If the death is sudden, your vet will help you with contacts of companies handling pets’ bodies. Vets often have tie-ups with such companies to help people in these situations.
Get Emotional Support
You should know that you do not need to deal with this situation yourself. You should call your neighbor or any family member for help. It will be too much emotional trauma for a dog parent to handle the situation alone, especially handling the remains of your dog.
What to Do With Dog Cremation Remains?
My dog died what to do with body it is common question every per parent ask at a some point of time. There could be two possibilities that can arise from the sudden natural death of your dog.
- First, on calling your vet, he can provide you with a company’s contact number that will send in help for you and arrange everything.
- The second unforeseen situation could arise when it’s a national holiday or the company services are not available at that hour.
In such cases, your vet will usually ask you to get the body to the clinic, where it can be kept for a day or two before making further arrangements. However, there are certain steps you need to follow before you take the body to your vet.
How Should I Carry the Remains of my dog to the vet?
- The first thing you should do is wear a pair of gloves before moving the body. Make sure that you do not get in direct contact with the bodily fluid that will be released from your dog’s body.
- Get hold of a blanket whose size is adequate to cover your dog’s body. Place the body in a sleeping position on the blanket and wrap it around the remains.
- Many people prefer to keep the body in the house for a day, but that somehow happens to be a risk factor, especially for people with less immunity. Try to take your dog’s body to the vet in your car or, if you can, arrange for a vehicle.
- Before leaving the house, make sure you clean the fluids on the floor, if any. The fluid usually takes some time before it oozes out of the body.
- If you have to keep the body in your house for a few hours, cover it up with a durable plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator or your garage area.
Should I Bury or Cremate My Dog?
After all the steps, the last call you need to make is whether to bury it or go for cremation. Both options are viable and recommended, and it all boils down to personal preference, depending on what you can afford. Usually, cremation would cost you more than burying your dog’s body.
Cremation
Again, in this case, your vet will come to your rescue as vets maintain good contacts with local cremation centers. You will have to drive it to your vet. Many cremation centers provide pickup services as well. Your vet will either cremate the body and dispose of the ashes or return the ashes to you, as many people also prefer to store the ashes.
Burial
If you choose to bury your dog’s body, make sure to have a word with your vet about your city’s local laws regarding burying. Most cities don’t allow you to bury your dog’s remains in public parks and so on. Choose a place wisely where there are fewer chances of people digging it up in the future. Keep in mind that the grave should be at least 3 feet deep. Bury the remains taking out all the non-decomposable substances like plastic.
Coping With Unexpected Loss of a Dog
Your dog’s death does not always have to be natural and sudden. Most aging dogs die naturally, but some aging or sick dogs sometimes give out signs that they don’t have much time left or are suffering. Your vet can give you an estimate of the time left for your dog. When your dog is suffering too much or if your vet finds out that no medication can ease your dog’s pain and he is beyond recovery, they advise you for Euthanasia.
Euthanasia is a process where your dog is put to sleep using a medication called pentobarbital, which causes a seizure and shuts down all heart and brain functions within a minute or two. Nevertheless, you are the one who has to take a call and decide if you would want to put your dog to sleep.
What are Signs of Your Dog Dying?
- They will stop eating
- Frequent Vomiting
- Dehydration causes the skin to dry up
- Sleeping throughout the day
- Slow breaths
The Final Words
Thinking straight and staying calm would probably be too much to ask for when your pet suddenly dies. However, this what to do when your dog dies guide has the most relevant information about handling your dog’s remains and all. Something which cannot be taught is how to take the emotional burden and stress of death. The only thing that should keep you going is the thought this too shall pass, and there will be a better tomorrow.