Different Ways to Prepare for Your Pet’s Passing

Although a pet’s passing is never easy, preparing for the eventuality can help ease your mental and emotional distress. Here are four ways to help prepare for—and grieve—your pet’s eventual passing.

 

#1: Assess your pet’s quality of life

Your pet can’t tell you when they feel unwell, but they can indicate poor mental and physical health. Using a quality of life scale, you can assess your pet’s health and happiness as they age or deteriorate from a chronic medical condition. The quality of life scale allows you to be objective when evaluating your pet and can help determine if they are suffering. 

 

#2: Decide when to schedule your pet’s euthanasia

While an unexpected pet death relieves you of the responsibility of determining when—and if—euthanasia is the right course of action, you might wonder if you failed to notice your pet’s sickness. On the other hand, deciding when to plan euthanasia and when your pet is ready to pass away is never easy. Humane euthanasia, however, can be your final act of love for your suffering pet. Keep in mind that few pets pass away gently while they are sleeping.

 

#3: Discuss how to care for your pet’s body

When your pet passes, you may be unprepared for their after-care. If you know the end is approaching, discussing how you would like to care for your pet’s body can eliminate some stress. Cremation is a popular choice, and you can choose that you receive your pet’s ashes. Aquamation is also growing in popularity as an after-care option but is not yet widely available.

 

#4: Rely on grief support groups to process your pet’s death

Reach out to support groups in addition to relying on your loved ones and friends during this difficult time. Numerous veterinary schools have pet loss support hotlines, and a plethora of pet bereavement organizations on social media may be suitable for your particular circumstance. You never have to go through grief on your own.

Ask our staff for assistance in determining your pet’s quality of life and making arrangements for their eventual passing if their health or happiness is deteriorating.