Summary
- Say goodbye, contact cremation service promptly
- Choose individual or communal cremation
- Keep body cool for collection or personal delivery
- Expect bodily changes after death
- Take precautions if handling body
- Memorial options: urns, headstones, jewellery
- Use grief support resources
What Immediate Steps Should I Take After My Dog Dies at Home?
It's not something that most of us really think about, and yet it's an important topic to discuss: here are the immediate steps that should be taken If your dog dies at home, including why it's so important not to put off arranging the collection of their body for cremation or burial.
Of course, you'll want to take a moment to say goodbye to your pet. But there are some safety precautions to keep in mind when considering how long to stay with a deceased pet's body. These measures help ensure you and your family members stay safe from harm at this difficult time.
Understanding the Natural Responses to Expect Immediately After Death
As a veterinarian, I have been present at the passing of many, many pets. Where the end of a much loved dog's life has been planned I am always careful to ensure that my patient's human family members have been made aware of (and are as comfortable as they can be with) the normal, natural things which may happen during the process of dying.
Immediately after a dog has passed, there may (or may not) be agonal gasping. This is an unsettling phenomenon: your dog may appear to take sudden, deep "gasping" breaths. Agonal gasping can occur just before, during, or even several minutes after death. Whilst it can be an upsetting thing to witness, be reassured that this is an entirely normal part of the process. Where agonal gasping happens post-mortem (meaning 'after death') your pet won't even be aware of it.
Bladder and/or bowel control may also be lost during death, as everything relaxes. The facial muscles relax too, meaning your dog's eyes may appear to open wider (often this is difficult for family members, as of course we'd prefer our pet to appear to be sleeping peacefully…unfortunately, biology doesn't really allow this, in most cases).
Skin twitching or even small limb movements can also occur in the minutes after death, as energy leaves the body's muscle cells. After around 3 hours, stiffness sets in; you may have already heard of "rigour mortis". This completely normal stage lasts around 36 hours, after which the body will become soft and moveable once again.
Deciding Whether to Stay With Your Pet or Arrange Immediate Collection
Unfortunately it isn't really safe to stay with your pet for long after he or she has passed. After an individual has died, microbes (especially those already present inside the guts) multiply rapidly, and decomposition begins.
Decomposition represents a genuine health risk to those spending time with and handling the body. Check the time limits in the section below, and don't delay contacting a pet cremation or burial service after your dog has passed.
How Long Can You Stay with Your Pet's Body?
You should keep your pet's body for 24 hours max, and keep the temperature below 7℃ during this time. If it isn't possible to keep the room cold, then 24 hours is too long and you'll notice an unpleasant odour as well as upsetting changes such as cloudiness of the eyes and changes in colour of the skin. At room temperature, you should ensure your pet is collected for cremation or burial within 6 hours of passing.
If you need to handle your pet's body after this time, it's important to take appropriate safety measures: wear thick gloves and a disposable apron, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Arranging for Pet Cremation or Burial
Drop-off or Collection Services
Most companies offering pet cremation and/or burial will offer the option to drop your pet's body off, or else to arrange a collection. Where possible, I definitely recommend that you arrange a collection of your pet's remains rather than attempting to transport their body yourself.
This is due to the unavoidable safety and hygiene hazards that come with transporting a deceased individual, as well as how upsetting the experience is likely to be. Collection agents working for cremation and burial companies are trained to handle your pet's body safely, whilst maintaining their dignity.
Transporting Your Pet's Body Safely
It's not ideal to transport your pet's body yourself. However, if you face a situation in which you can't avoid it, you should:
- Line the boot of your vehicle with a waterproof layer such as tarpaulin or bin bags. This layer must be disposed of immediately after you finish transporting your pet's body.
- Wear thick, disposable rubber gloves and an apron prior to lifting your pet's body, and dispose of these immediately after use.
- Wash your hands thoroughly using soap and warm water after handling your pet's remains.
Choosing Between Pet Cremation and Burial Options
How Dog Cremation Works
Your dog's body will be placed in a cremation chamber which is heated to an extremely high temperature, reducing the body to ash. If your pet is cremated individually, you will have the option of bringing their ashes home afterwards
Individual vs. Communal Cremation
If you choose to have your dog cremated, you'll also need to also decide whether individual or communal cremation is right for you.
With individual cremation, your dog is cremated by themselves, as opposed to communal cremation where your dog may be cremated along with other pets. If your dog is individually cremated you'll have the option of taking their ashes to scatter or keep (usually in a scatter tube, urn or casket). If they are communally cremated it won't be possible to keep your pet's ashes.
What Options Are Available to Memorialise My Dog?
Custom Memorials and Keepsakes to Cherish Your Pet's Memory
Whilst they may not be right for everyone, custom memorials and keepsakes offer a really special means of honouring the memory of a pet. Pet cremation services typically offer a selection of both stock-made and personalised items ranging from engraved plaques and caskets, small statues and ornaments. Some providers will even offer jewellery made with your pet's ashes.
If you choose to have your dog buried in a pet cemetery, then it's typically an option to erect a headstone or small statue in their memory. These too can be personalised.
These keepsakes can serve as a tangible, physical reminder of the bond you shared with your dog…something which many of us find extremely comforting in the weeks and months after the loss of a loved one.
Coping with the Grief of Losing a Dog
Understanding the Grieving Process
The grieving process that occurs following the loss of a beloved pet is very similar to the emotional journey experienced immediately after the death of a human loved one. You'll probably experience times of denial, periods of shock, and bouts of intense sadness and longing. As time passes, an increasing duration of acceptance will start to creep in, accompanied by waves of fond memories.
The duration of "normal" grief varies greatly from person to person, although studies show that most of us will make significant progress in processing grief within 1-2 years. If you find that distracting and painful feelings are sticking around for longer than this, it's time to seek additional help.
Whatever stage you are at of your grieving journey, it's important to remember that this process is entirely natural, and is a testament to the deep and meaningful emotional bond you shared with your pet. It's certainly not something you should ever be ashamed of.
Support Resources
In the UK, the Blue Cross Pet Loss Support offers free, confidential support for those who have recently lost a canine family member. Talk things over with trained Pet Loss Support volunteers on the phone or through live webchat 7 days a week between 8:30am to 8:30pm.