Here are 13 suggestions to ease the pain of losing your dog.

Here are some suggestions for making the final days of your pet’s life as comfortable as possible and giving them a fitting farewell.

Saying goodbye to a beloved companion is a difficult task, especially when that companion was your constant cuddle buddy and best friend. Your grief may be especially intense if your dog was near the end of his life or if he passed away recently. When your heart is hurting, it’s hard to think straight. Do not worry; your friends do not assume that you are perfect. Still, if you need some help getting through it, I’ve compiled a checklist of items to keep in mind after your dog passes away.

How to Prepare for Your Dog’s Passing

If you can do a few things before your dog passes away, it will be easier on everyone.

1. Ask Questions

Discuss any concerns you may have with your vet as your dog ages or if he has a preexisting condition. The ability to anticipate and plan for upcoming difficulties is a valuable asset.

Talking to your vet about pet euthanasia (putting your dog to sleep) and how they handle the procedure, as well as aftercare options like burial and cremation, is a good idea if you think your dog’s time on earth is drawing to a close. Typically, vets will work with outside organisations to provide these options after your dog has passed away. You can also inquire about the services of other providers who focus on end-of-life care by contacting them directly, such as veterinarians who offer in-home euthanasia.

“Never feel bad asking questions about how your pet will be handled,” advises Haylee Bergeland, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, from the American Kennel Club Certified Training Professionals. It’s your pet, a member of the family, so you have every right to ask as many questions as you like about it.

2. Lean on Your Veterinarian

Choosing whether or not to euthanize your dog is one of the most difficult choices you’ll face as a pet owner. You are the only one who can answer this question accurately, but your vet’s professional opinion will help.

How your dog is feeling is a very important question to ask. If you and your vet feel like you’ve tried everything to make your dog feel better, they can tell you. You can also talk about whether it’s worth continuing testing and treatment if your pet’s condition is expected to worsen.

3. Have a Plan

After reading up, you’ll likely have a better idea of how you want your dog’s final days to go. Possible components of an end-of-life strategy include:

If you and your pet agree that hospice care is the best option for their final days,
When euthanasia is the best option for you and your pet (for example, if he can no longer walk), but who will do it?
At the place you want it to occur (e.g. veterinary clinic, at home, or in the park)
Nonetheless, Bergeland stresses the significance of realising that even the best-laid plans can go awry. “Put forth your best effort given the constraints you currently face. What matters most is that you and your pet shared a deep and abiding love for one another, and that love will endure.”

4. Spend Quality Time With Your Dog

As with any other finite resource, time is at a premium. When it’s gone, there’s no replacing it. Your time with your canine companion is limited, so enjoy it while you can. Join your pet in its favourite activities.

Can your dog still run, but not jump, to retrieve a ball? You can try rolling the ball to him on the ground, or you can just let him play with it in his mouth. If you can’t take your dog on a walk around the block, a doggy stroller or a waggon can provide him with the same benefits.

Simply being in the same room is better than no time at all. Your company will ease your pet dog’s anxiety.

5. Give Your Workplace a Heads Up

Bergeland suggests informing coworkers of an anticipated date of death for your dog. That way, they can prepare for the possibility that you’ll need time off in the near future.

What to Do When Your Dog Dies

Here are some ways to bring yourself some peace of mind and your pet’s memory by saying goodbye properly.

6. Determine What Services You Want

You should make a decision about what to do with your pet’s body once you’ve made the difficult decision that he or she must soon pass away. The veterinarian who euthanized your pet should talk to you about what choices you have. Because most municipalities forbid private dog burials, cremation has become the norm. If there’s a pet cemetery in the area, burial might be a possibility.

7. What to Do if Your Dog Dies Naturally at Home

Getting in touch with your vet for guidance is a good idea if your dog died suddenly at home, but if possible, it’s better to head straight to a pet cemetery or crematorium. It is still your responsibility to get your pet to their location. Bergeland says that if you are unable to pay for funeral or cremation costs, your veterinarian or local animal control agency will be able to properly dispose of the body. This is most commonly done through a communal cremation.

8. Give Yourself Time to Grieve

Our pets are members of our household. In light of this, feeling sad after losing a dog is completely natural. Know that it is okay to grieve and will take time to recover. Take your time, Bergeland warns. You (and your pet) are entitled to a mourning period.

9. Find Support

The loss of a pet can be lightened by talking about it with sympathetic loved ones. Likewise, there are online communities where you can talk to people who share your passion for pets and understand your struggles. You could also inquire with your vet about the availability of a pet loss hotline or support group in your area.

“Don’t be ashamed to ask for assistance if you need it,” says Bergeland to those who are struggling to accept their loss. “Try visiting a therapist or social worker, or joining a group that shares your interest in pets. It’s crucial to share your feelings with someone who can help you accept and cope with them.”

10. Support Your Kids and Other Pets

Your entire family will be affected by this, but young children who have never dealt with the loss of a loved one may find it especially challenging. The following methods have been recommended by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) for broaching the subject of a deceased pet with children:

Provide as much ease as possible for your kids.
Just use an everyday example.
Tell the kids the truth about what happened to the pet and what it means to them.
Provide straightforward and honest responses to your child’s questions.
Encourage your child to talk about how they’re feeling.
Instill confidence and ease their worries.
Allow your children some time to grieve and reflect on the loss of their pet.
Recent research suggests that our canine companions may experience grief over the loss of other dogs in the household. They can also sense the feelings of those close to them. That’s why it’s more important than ever to shower your surviving pets with love and care.

11. Honor Your Pal

Many dog owners find comfort in making a keepsake to commemorate the unique role their canine companion played in their lives. If you look around online, you’ll find lots of options for doing this. Displaying an urn containing your pet’s ashes is one option, as is having a piece of art made in their likeness or even wearing a necklace with a paw print pendant. Also, consider framing photos of your pet doing cute things or displaying a cherished toy that they both share.

Keep in mind that the decisions you make regarding your pet’s last days and memorial are deeply personal. No matter how many people give you advice, remember that you know your pet best.

12. If Possible, Avoid Other Major Life Changes Right Now

Although it may not always be possible, taking some time to grieve privately after your pet’s death can help ease the emotional blow. Significant life changes, such as relocating or switching careers, can amplify the emotional toll of losing a pet. I suggest you take some time out to concentrate on your own emotional and mental health.

13. Consider the Effects of a New Pet in the Home

Bringing home a new dog or puppy before everyone in the household, including people and other pets, is ready may not be the best idea while you’re still grieving the loss of a beloved pet. You’ll all be so happy when you get a new pet, but remember: no pet is ever truly replaced. Allow yourselves some time to mourn, and then have a family discussion about whether or not it’s the right time for a new furry family member after a few weeks, months, or even years have passed.