Every dog or cat owner sooner or later has to deal with the loss of a dog or cat. After all, nothing is forever and death is an inherent element of the life of every creature. How to deal with the body of a deceased animal at home? Although it is difficult to accept the loss of a full-fledged family member, you need to know what to do in such a situation. We will explain it step by step.
How to deal with the loss of a pet?
The death of a pet is undoubtedly a difficult experience due to the great attachment and love that owners have for their pet. Its departure may be associated with pain and a feeling of helplessness. It is difficult to accept the loss of a pet who accompanied us in our daily activities and who was often the confidant of our best-kept secrets. The prospect of finding the motionless body of a dog or cat at home is one of many people’s worst nightmares, and we are not always able to predict our reaction to a traumatic event. So what should we do when the situation becomes too difficult for us?
First of all, don’t panic. Of course, this is easier said than done, so you should let the rest of your family know first. If you are alone at home, you should call your loved one and ask them to come as soon as possible.
A person in such a situation needs support, a friend who will keep his cool in the face of the death of the animal. If we have someone we trust by our side, it will be easier to determine the next steps of action and calm our emotions. The most important thing is not to make decisions alone and try to think rationally.
What to do if an animal dies at home?
The first thing to remember is to determine that the animal is definitely dead. In a burst of emotion, the owner may misjudge the situation and panic, while the animal is simply deeply asleep and unaware that a human has crossed the threshold of the apartment. This mainly applies to deaf and elderly animals.
If in doubt, it is worth checking the pulse and listening to the breathing rhythm in order to carry out resuscitation in case of loss of consciousness. If we do not hear breathing after a few seconds and the animal’s body has lost temperature, we can confirm the animal’s death.
The next important step is to secure the animal’s body. First of all, you need to prepare a large towel, a sheet and a blanket, and remember to wear latex gloves. After an animal dies, bodily fluids may leak from the mouth or anus, so it is worth cleaning these areas.
The animal should be placed on a towel, lying on its side, with its hind legs tucked in. Then cover them with a cloth, preferably a blanket. The body should be protected using plastic bags and if the animal is large, it is advisable to use two layers. It is also important to place the body in a cool place, as heat can contribute to decomposition and unpleasant odors in the home.
Once you have carefully secured your deceased pet, contact your veterinarian or animal crematorium.
What to do after securing the body of a deceased animal?
After securing the body, ask the veterinarian if they have signed a contract with the crematorium. If this is the case, it will certainly be easier for us to resolve all formal issues. You must then decide whether you want to cremate the animal or get rid of it, which does not allow you to keep part of the body or bury the animal in a cemetery.
Disposal is the most economical solution if you do not want to keep your dog or cat’s ashes. The process itself is also much cheaper than cremation, which also requires a longer wait, 2 to 8 days. However, when choosing cremation, one must take into account whether individual or group cremation must be chosen.
Most crematoriums allow owners to participate in the process and use the farewell room, where, just like in a church, you can silently remember the times spent with your pet. If we want our pet to be placed in a cemetery or stay with us, after cremation, the owner receives the ashes of their four-legged friend in a medical container.
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