What to Exercise When Your Dog Dies

When a dog dies it can exist an incredibly sad time for owners, and information technology tin be hard to know what to do. Make sure yous're prepared during this upsetting time with our essential guide.

dog and owner hugging

The expiry of a beloved pet is an incredibly sad time for owners. Whether your domestic dog dies naturally at home or is put to slumber at the vets, it's e'er a stressful and upsetting time.

If your pet has been unwell, or is very old and naturally approaching the end of their life, you may already accept plans in place for their eventual passing. Nevertheless, even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by external factors or past grief. If y'all're struggling with your pet'southward expiry in the immediate aftermath, always ask for assist from a friend, family unit member or veterinary professional.

What often adds to the trauma of a pet'due south death is the doubt of how to handle their remains. Take some of the stress out of this period with this comprehensive guide on what to practise when your domestic dog dies.

What happens when a canis familiaris dies naturally?

Nosotros usually associate the death of pets with them being put to sleep at a veterinarian surgery. But what happens when a dog dies naturally at abode?

If your pet dies at home, it may be difficult to handle their remains. Y'all may wish to call your vet or another professional service, such as a company that can assistance with dead dog disposal. Recollect that such services may not be bachelor on weekends or during national holidays.

When a dog dies, their trunk may notwithstanding show signs of what can wait like life, such as the post-obit:

  • Twitching, as a consequence of natural nerve spasms after decease
  • The release of air from the mouth when moved
  • The release of actual fluids and gas


These tin all be quite upsetting for owners to witness, especially if they aren't expecting them. They aren't, sadly, signs that your pet is coming back to life. They are simply the natural bodily functions and what happens when a canis familiaris dies naturally.

What to do when your dog dies

When handling remains, always wear gloves and thoroughly clean any area that has been touched past the animal, also as thoroughly cleaning any fluids that may have been spilt. It'southward of import to limit the spread of germs in the immediate aftermath.

You may wish to get out your pet at abode for a few hours earlier organising a dead dog disposal; in which instance, ensure that the torso is left in a absurd room, for no longer than 24 hours. Be aware that rigor mortis—the stiffening of joints later death—volition begin to prepare in after around three to 4 hours.

owner holding dog

The options

Your local vet will be well placed to deal with dead canis familiaris disposal, and if y'all wish for it to be handled by them simply place a call equally soon as possible. Your vet should so be able to organise the collection and subsequent burying or cremation, according to your preference.

Dog cremation

If yous wish for your dog to be cremated, it is possible to organise this yourself rather than going through a vet. Dog cremation is more costly than home burial, but gives owners a diverseness of options when it comes to memorialising their pet's remains.

Crematoriums will return a dog's ashes to their owner and these can exist stored or scattered according to personal preference. Many owners choose to keep domestic dog ashes in an urn or even store them in keepsake items, such as a piece of jewellery. Owners also frequently besprinkle their pet's ashes in some of their favourite places or walks.

Remember that in that location are diverse options when it comes to cremation, including communal or individual cremation. If you're planning to use your pet's ashes for a specific memorial, do bare in mind that although crematoriums do make an effort to keep ashes separate during communal cremations, this cannot exist guaranteed.

How much does information technology cost to cremate a domestic dog?

The cost of dog cremation varies between different crematoriums and the options that they offer. These options depend on a diversity of factors, such as the size of dog and whether a communal or individual cremation is preferred. And so, how much does it toll to cremate a dog? Overall costs will mostly run to over £100.

Domicile burial

Some owners choose to bury their dog at home. This option reduces the cost of dead canis familiaris disposal by avoiding expensive cremation costs and gives a last resting place to love pets, at home. If y'all're thinking almost home burial, it'south of import to consider local laws. In the UK, it is legal to bury pets in a garden that you own. It isn't legal to bury animals in the gardens of rented adaptation, whatsoever holding that you lot don't own, or in public places. If you cull to bury your dog, check with your vet that their remains are not hazardous to human health before proceeding and choose a place away from h2o sources.

When burial a domestic dog at home, ensure that their grave is no less than three anxiety deep, to ensure that their remains stay covered. You may also wish to mark the burial site with a covering of rock, or fifty-fifty a potted institute.

Pet cemeteries

At that place are some pet cemeteries and crematoriums around the U.k. that will provide burial services for dogs. This is more often than not a more than expensive selection than dog cremation, the final price being dependent on weight. Cemeteries may also require that remains exist buried in a bury or other container, which further adds to the overall toll.

Pet cemeteries volition offer individual plots for dog burial and you may too erect a headstone or other memorial marker over the gravesite.

corgi dog in a field

Grieving a pet

 What to do when your domestic dog dies is just the showtime of a procedure that can be very hard for pet owners. For many, the passing of a beloved pet is similar to the death of a friend or family member and yous should always seek back up if needed.

Grieving a pet is always difficult, simply there are many back up groups and organisations to reach out to during this time.

Sometimes death can be prevented past regular bank check-ups with your vet. If yous're concerned about your canis familiaris'due south health take a wait at our content hub and find out how to keep your dog in top health.