My pet has passed away, what do I do next? Talk to your vet about arranging your pet's body for disposal on your behalf. You may want to look into their offering as sometimes cremation is not an option and your pet might end up as landfill.
Symptoms of acute grief after the loss of a pet can last from one to two months, with symptoms of grief persisting up to a full year (on average).
Vet services
While it may seem strange to do this, Australian vets can take care your pet's remains for a small fee of $50 - $100, depending on the size of the animal. In these cases, the animal is generally cremated with other deceased pets. The ashes are then disposed of and cannot be returned to you.
Yes It's OK To Bury Your Pet In Your Backyard | Walkerville Vet.
Humans develop a lasting attachment with their pets, which breaks at the loss of the pet. Regardless of the manner of death, a pet owner may perceive the death as traumatic and experience distress or exhibit posttraumatic stress symptoms.
Psychologist Julie Axelrod has pointed out that the loss of a dog is so painful because owners aren't just losing the pet. It could mean the loss of a source of unconditional love, a primary companion who provides security and comfort, and maybe even a protégé that's been mentored like a child.
Why Pet Loss Hurts. “One reason why losing a pet is such a deep loss is because animals' love is so unconditional and accepting,” she said. But it's also because so many aspects of people's lives are impacted. “Every single facet of life is part of the loss,” she explained.
One of the many reasons a person experiences difficulty sleeping following the death of pet is simply the lack of companionship. They miss seeing their furry family member. Finding a way to actively memorialize your pet can help fill this void and ease some of the pain you're experiencing.
Focus on Relaxation Before Bed
Meditation practices can be incredibly helpful for encouraging relaxation before bed. For the grieving individual, “calming the mind” can seem nearly impossible. It can be helpful to use a guided meditation process. There are many guided meditation recordings for free on YouTube.
And yet the death of a family pet can remind us of how vulnerable, precarious and precious life is. It's that process of acceptance and letting go that builds the resilience necessary to navigate an array of life's obstacles. We hone an ability to adapt to the evanescence of our lives with grace and hope.
Grief from pet loss may also lead to physical symptoms, such as fatigue, insomnia, a hollow feeling in the stomach, tightness in the chest, dry mouth, and aches and pains. Sometimes, our reactions to grief can be severe.
In such circumstances, some pet carers find that they experience flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for a long time after the loss of their companion.
While losing a pet is painful and overwhelming, unfortunately, it can also be a very lonely process, as many people don't understand the feeling of loss and don't recognize that the grieving process for a pet can be as long as that for a human.
Pets have a limited understanding of death as finality. It's tough, but if possible, let your pet see the body of his deceased friend. He may not totally grasp the situation, but one last visit may help him understand that his pal is gone.
Acute grief symptoms after the death of a pet can last from one to three months and general symptoms of grief can continue, on average, for six months to a year This grieving period can vary significantly from person to person and can be much longer or shorter.
When your pet passes away and you choose cremation for processing their remains, the microchip will remain in their bodies throughout the process and be incinerated during the cremation.
It's most common to choose cremation arranged by the vet but this is by no means the only option. Communal cremation. Your pet will be cremated alongside other loved pets and their ashes will then be buried or scattered by the crematorium.
Wear latex gloves while handling the body. Upon death, bodily fluids are often released. Clean the areas around your dog's mouth, genitals and anus if fluid and/or waste has been released. Note that additional bodily fluids and/or waste might be released when the body is moved.
How much does it cost to have a pet cremated? Pet cremation is based on your pet's weight. The average cost of pet cremation in Australia is anywhere from $325 for a pet under 10kg, to $385 for a pet over 40kg. Premium urns, boxes or memorial keepsakes are also often available, usually for an additional fee.