4 Ways to Prepare for the Passing of Your Pet
Losing a pet is always difficult, but taking steps to prepare beforehand can help alleviate some of the emotional pain. Here are four strategies for preparing for and coping with your pet’s eventual passing.
#1: Discuss how to care for your pet’s body
Losing a pet can be difficult, and taking care of their remains can add to the stress. If your pet is nearing the end of their life, it can be helpful to discuss what you want to do with their body. Cremation is a common choice, and you can opt to receive their ashes. Aquamation is also becoming more popular, but it may not be widely available in your area.
#2: Assess your pet’s quality of life
Assess your pet’s health and happiness as they age or deteriorate from a chronic medical condition by using a quality-of-life scale. Even though pets cannot communicate when they feel unwell, they can still indicate poor mental and physical health. The quality-of-life scale helps you objectively evaluate your pet and determine if they are suffering.
#3: Decide when to schedule your pet’s euthanasia
Losing a pet suddenly may relieve you from having to decide whether euthanasia is necessary. However, you might feel like you missed signs of your pet’s illness. On the other hand, deciding when it’s time for your pet to pass away and choosing euthanasia can also be challenging. It’s important to keep in mind that very few pets pass away peacefully in their sleep, so euthanasia may be the kindest option for ending your pet’s suffering and expressing your love for them.
#4: Rely on grief support groups to process your pet’s death
When you’re grieving the loss of a pet, don’t hesitate to seek support from support groups in addition to leaning on your family and friends. Many veterinary universities offer pet loss support hotlines, and several pet bereavement groups on social media may suit your particular circumstance. Remember, you don’t have to go through the grieving journey on your own.
If your pet is showing signs of poor health or decreased happiness, feel free to contact our team to evaluate their quality of life and help you prepare for the inevitable.
