If your pet passes away at a veterinarian, they will likely handle the remains for you. If you lose your pet at home, simply place a call to your local pet crematorium or cemetery as soon as possible, they should be well-equipped to organise a burial or cremation, depending on your personal choice.
Contact Your Veterinarian
Alternatively, if it is during the middle of the night or a holiday, you can try to contact a 24 hour emergency office (if one exists nearby). They may also have a way of getting you in touch with someone who can pick up your pet's body (like a pet crematory or mobile vet service).
Yes, some pets peacefully fall asleep and pass naturally on their own, but as in humans, such a peaceful death is rare.
Some dogs will know their time is approaching and will look to their people for comfort. Saying goodbye to your dog with love and grace means staying with your dog during these final hours, and reassuring them with gentle stroking and a soft voice.
Once you're sure your dog has passed, the next step is to call your veterinarian's office. A vet's office will take your dog's body and either dispose of it for you or store it for you before you have a cremation or burial. They might also know of resources like a pet crematory or a mobile vet service.
You can choose to bury your pet at your property. This can be a meaningful and meditative process for home owners able to do so. You can also contact your local council's waste facility about possible disposal options at their site.
If you wish, the vet can keep your pet's body safe for you in the meantime – in this case remember to give your chosen pet crematorium company your vet's contact details to arrange things. Home burial. If you wish, you usually can take your pet's body home with you.
The last few days before your dog passes you may notice: extreme weight loss, a distant look in their eyes, a lack of interest in anything, restlessness or unusual stillness, a change in the way that your dog smells, and a changed temperament.
The aging profile of dogs varies according to their adult size (often determined by their breed): smaller dogs often live over 15–16 years (the max is 20 years), medium and large size dogs typically 10 to 20 years, and some giant dog breeds such as mastiffs, often only 7 to 8 years.
The top five causes of sudden unexpected death among 151 dogs were, in order, heart disease, toxicosis, gastrointestinal disease, trauma, and hemorrhage not associated with trauma.
Here are some examples of what not to say when a pet dies: "Don't cry." Crying is part of the grieving process for many people. "It's just a [dog/cat/etc.]." A comment like this that downplays the loss is mean and thoughtless. You don't know what the pet meant to that person.
You do not need permission to bury domestic pets. You can bury small domestic pet animals such as a dog or a cat on your own land, for example in your back garden. There are no minimum good practice groundwater protection requirements.
Putrefaction (4-10 days after death) – Autolysis occurs and gases (odor) and discoloration starts. Black putrefaction (10-20 days after death) – exposed skin turns black, bloating collapses and fluids are released from the body.
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.
Burial of Your Dog in Australia
If you would like, you can bury your dog in a casket so long as it is wooden or cardboard. You need to bury your dog's remains at least 3 feet deep. You can memorialise your dog with a headstone, rock or a plant. There are many things to consider when your dog dies at home.
How deep should the hole be? The rule of thumb is to have at least 3 feet of dirt covering the top of the body. For a large dog, a 4 foot deep hole should suffice. Too shallow a grave will allow animals to dig up the remains.
Fox said dogs definitely mourn, that some even realize their owner is dead before the hospital calls the family, though there's not much evidence to support that. Animal behavior expert Sarah Wilson told People it's not so much about dogs mourning than them not understanding why you're not around anymore.
If you are able to locate the animal carcass it is important to not touch or handle it unless you have to, and here's why. Dead animals can carry a host of bacteria and viruses that can be passed on to humans and pets. Tularemia is a disease that can be spread to humans via contact with a dead animal.
Some dogs seek out the comfort and company of their humans to the point of clinginess, while others become more solitary and seek quiet corners to be alone. Some dogs seem to know when they are about to die and wander off to a secluded location in the house or yard for their final moments.
One stage of this process is known as rigor mortis. This is when the energy supply to the pet's muscles deplete. When this occurs, everything becomes stiff. The average time for “rigor” to set in is 3-4 hours and it is typically complete within 12 hours post death.
Lethargy
If your dog is lethargic and no longer moving around as much as it once did, it can indicate that they are close to death. Of course, lethargy can also be a sign of illnesses that won't result in the death of your dog. For example, dogs can become lethargic if they have diarrhea or pain.