4 Ways to Prepare for the Passing of Your Pet

Losing a pet is always difficult, but taking steps to prepare can alleviate some of the emotional stress. Below are four ways to prepare for and cope with the eventual passing of your beloved pet.

#1: Determine a timeframe for when it might be necessary to euthanize your pet

Losing a pet suddenly may relieve the responsibility of deciding when to euthanize them. However, you may also wonder if you didn’t notice signs of their illness. On the other hand, deciding when it’s time to say goodbye and scheduling euthanasia can be a challenging decision. Nevertheless, it’s vital to know that few pets pass away peacefully in their sleep, so choosing humane euthanasia may be the most loving and compassionate thing you can do for your pet who is suffering. 

#2: Talk about taking care of your pet’s physical well-being

If your pet passes away, you may be unsure about what to do next for their after-care. It would be helpful to prepare in advance by discussing with your veterinarian how you would like to handle your pet’s remains. Cremation is commonly chosen, and you may opt to receive your pet’s ashes. Aquamation is also becoming more popular, but it may not be readily available everywhere yet. 

#3: Evaluate the quality of life of your pet

It’s difficult for your pet to communicate when they are not feeling well, but they can show signs of poor mental and physical health. You can use a quality of life scale to measure your pet’s well-being and happiness as they get older or face long-term health issues. By using this scale, you can make an unbiased assessment of your pet’s condition and figure out whether they are in distress. 

#4: Consider joining a grief support group to help you with the process of coping with the loss of your pet

When you are coping with the loss of a pet, seek support from both loved ones and support groups. Veterinary universities often provide hotlines for pet loss support, and several pet bereavement groups on social media might cater to your specific needs. Remember, you don’t have to go through the grieving process all alone.

If your pet is not doing well, reach out to our team for assistance in evaluating their quality of life and getting ready for their eventual passing.