Learn How to Get Ready for the Passing of Your Pet

Even though losing a pet is never easy, being mentally and emotionally prepared for it can lessen your suffering. Here are four strategies to help you get ready for and deal with your pet’s passing.

 

#1: Assess the quality of life for your pet.

While your pet cannot communicate their illness to you, they can show signs of poor physical and mental health. As your pet ages or suffers from a chronic medical condition, you can evaluate their health and happiness using a quality of life scale. Using the quality of life scale, you can assess your pet objectively and determine whether they are suffering.

 

#2: Decide when to arrange for your pet’s euthanasia.

While the burden of determining when—and if—euthanasia is the best course of action is lifted by a pet’s unexpected death, you might wonder if you failed to notice your pet’s illness. On the other hand, figuring out your pet’s readiness to die and when to schedule euthanasia is never easy. However, keep in mind that few animals die peacefully while they are sleeping, so humane euthanasia can be your final act of compassion for your suffering animal.

 

#3: Go over how to treat your pet’s body.

You might not be ready to take care of your pet when they pass away. Talking about how you would like to care for your pet’s body might help relieve stress if you know the end is near. You can decide to receive your pet’s ashes after cremation, which is a common option. Although it is still not widely accessible, aquamation is becoming more and more popular as an after-care option.

 

#4: Use grief support groups to cope with the loss of your pet.

As you grieve, reach out to support groups as well as your family and friends. Numerous veterinary colleges provide pet loss support hotlines, and there are a ton of pet bereavement groups on social media that might be a good fit for your particular situation. Never go through a difficult time by yourself.

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