What To Do If Your Dog Dies at Home | Hill's Pet (2024)

FAQs

What to do if your pet dog dies at home? ›

If you can, it might be a good idea to ask someone for help. If you have a smaller pet and are able to do so, the best option is to wrap their body and place them somewhere cold like a fridge or freezer, until you are able to take them to the vet or your local pet crematorium.

It's important to limit the spread of germs in the immediate aftermath. You may wish to leave your pet at home for a few hours before organising a dead dog or cat disposal; in which case, ensure that the body is left in a cool room, for no longer than 24 hours.

Depending on local regulations, your options will include a backyard burial, burial in a pet cemetery, a private cremation (just your pet, and you get the ashes back) or a communal cremation (a group of pets cremated together, and you don't get the ashes back). If none of that suits you, some other options exist.

Naturally, most pet parents will first wonder: Is it legal to bury a pet in your yard? The answer is a resounding… “maybe.” There are no nationwide laws regarding pet burial on private property. However, there are state, county, city, and potentially homeowner's association guidelines to keep in mind.

In states like California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Texas, it is legal to bury a pet in your own backyard as long as there is no health hazard or nuisance caused by it. It is also illegal to bury animals on public property- including pets.

If your veterinary practice is arranging cremation for you then they will keep - or bring your pet's body back to, in the case of a home euthanasia, or a natural death at home - then at the veterinary practice. Your pet's body is usually picked up by the crematorium and brought to the facility in their own transport.

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.

Don't leave your pet on carpet or a sofa.

Their body may begin to expel fluids as the muscles relax, which may cause stains. Move your pet's body to a cold stone floor, in a garage or utility room, as this will keep it cool.

If you can, keep them in a confined, quiet comfortable area and remove anything they may bump into or knock over. Saying goodbye to your dog means protecting them, creating a safe space for them and giving them whatever help they need. A dying dog will lie in one spot and not even move to relieve themselves.

We really don't know what dogs know and feel about death and dying. There are limits to what science can tell us about death and dying in dogs and other animals. Only by keeping an open mind about this topic will we make progress, so this might not be the last word.

Would my dog know if I died? ›

Do Dogs Understand When Someone Dies? Although they may react to death in various ways, there's no telling whether dogs truly understand it. To them, it's more likely to be a curiosity about a new smell that keeps them close rather than any real knowledge of why someone's scent has changed.

The cost of pet burials can range anywhere from $300 to about $2,000. Some of the factors that can influence the cost include the size of the pet, the type of casket, the kind of burial, the location of the pet cemetery, and memorial accessories.

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 and these remains are toxic to them.

Tom: Well, first of all, as far as burying your dog in your backyard, the Florida statutes say yes, you can bury your pet in your backyard. It's got to be at least 2-feet deep. You can bury your cat or your dog or your pet in your backyard, no problem.