What do you do with your pet once it dies?

When handling remains, always wear gloves and thoroughly clean any area that has been touched by the animal, as well as thoroughly cleaning any fluids that may have been spilt. It’s important to limit the spread of germs in the immediate aftermath.

What to do when your pet dies is just the beginning of a process that can be very difficult for pet owners. For many, the passing of a beloved pet is similar to the death of a friend or family member and you should always seek support if needed.

If your dog dies unexpectedly at home, it is imaginably a difficult situation. Losing your beloved dog is never easy, however, if your dog dies suddenly at home, you will need to take immediate steps and make some decisions right away, such as transporting your pet to a cemetery or crematorium.

We understand that handling your dog's sudden death can be hard to do when emotions are high, so follow these few steps to support you in handling your dog's death.

Are you sure your dog has passed away? If you have any doubt, it's best to take your dog to the nearest open veterinarian for help. Try to feel your dog's heartbeat to find out if he has a pulse, or if a cardiac arrest has occurred. You may wish to try to perform CPR or administer another type of first aid if you think your dog may still be alive.

If you are certain that your dog has passed away, the easiest scenario is typically to take your dog's body to the veterinarian for assistance.

If it is during normal business hours, your vet's office can help talk you through the steps. They may also have a way of getting you in touch with someone who can pick up your pet's body (like a pet crematory or mobile vet service). In some cases, your vet's office may be able to store your pet's body for a day or two while you make a decision about aftercare arrangements, such as cremation or burial. Your vet's office should also be able to put you in contact with a local company to handle cremation or burial. Fortunately, most vets have a relationship with at least one local business that offers these services.

This is a difficult time, so it might be best if you don't have to be alone. If possible, call a close friend or family member who can offer emotional support and help you handle your pet's remains in a practical yet compassionate manner. If you do not think you will physically and/or emotionally be able to handle your pet's body, choose someone who you know can do this.

It is not pretty to talk about, but you may need to handle your pet's body. If you plan to bury your pet yourself but cannot do it right away, then the body must be stored properly. If you wish to have your pet cremated or have the burial handled by a company that cannot take your pet's remains right away, you will also need to properly store the remains. This may be the case if your pet dies in the middle of the night or over a holiday. However, some pet crematories have 24/7 phone service for these kinds of situations. The most important thing to know is that the remains of the deceased pet must be handled as soon as possible.

The brutal fact is that an animal's body begins to decompose immediately after death. The body will soon begin to give off a foul odor and attract insects. The hotter the temperature, the faster the rate of decomposition. Rigor mortis, the stiffening of the joints, typically begins within 10 minutes to three hours after death and can last as long as 72 hours. Again, the temperature will affect this process. Ideally, the remains will be properly handled before the onset of rigor mortis.

  • Wear gloves while handling the body. Upon death, bodily fluids are often released. You may wish to clean the areas around your dog's mouth, genitals, and anus if you notice fluid or waste. Additional bodily fluid and/or waste might be released when the body is moved.
  • Obtain a blanket, towel, or bed sheet that is large enough to wrap around the body. Also, get a heavy-duty plastic trash bag (double them up if the body is very large or if the bags are thin).
  • Arrange the body on the blanket, towel, or sheet. Place the body on its side in a curled-up position, as if sleeping. This may offer a sense of peace and also make it easier to handle the body.
  • Tightly wrap the body in the blanket, towel, or sheet. Then, slide the body into the plastic bag(s). This will be a two-person job if the dog is large.
  • If possible, tie the bag into a secure knot or tape it closed. You may wish to double up on bags. If the remains will be going elsewhere, be sure to attach a label or tag with your name and your dog's name.
  • Remains should be kept in a freezer or refrigerator until burial, cremation, or another arrangement takes place. If you are unable to store the remains in this manner and cannot get the body to your vet or a local pet aftercare company, a garage or basement may need to suffice. This should be for no longer than 4 to 6 hours as the odor will become severe and permeate your home. Use of additional plastic bags is recommended if freezer or refrigerator storage is not possible.

If you wish to bury your dog on your property, see if local laws allow this. Certain areas prohibit the burial of pets, especially in cities.

Before burial, remove the body from any non-biodegradable materials (such as plastic) before burial. The body can be placed in a wooden or cardboard casket if desired. The grave should be at least 3 feet deep. Choose a location that is not likely to erode or be accidentally dug up again. You may wish to place a headstone or other marker at your pet's grave to memorialize your beloved pet.

The death of a beloved pet is an incredibly sad time for owners. Whether your dog dies naturally at home or is put to sleep at the vets, it’s always a stressful and upsetting time.

If your pet has been unwell, or is very old and naturally approaching the end of their life, you may already have plans in place for their eventual passing. However, even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by external factors or by grief. If you’re struggling with your pet’s death in the immediate aftermath, always ask for help from a friend, family member or veterinary professional.

What often adds to the trauma of a pet’s death is the uncertainty of how to handle their remains. Take some of the stress out of this period with this comprehensive guide on what to do when your dog dies.

We usually associate the death of pets with them being put to sleep at a veterinary surgery. But what happens when a dog dies naturally at home?

If your pet dies at home, it may be difficult to handle their remains. You may wish to call your vet or another professional service, such as a company that can assist with dead dog disposal. Remember that such services may not be available on weekends or during national holidays.

When a dog dies, their body may still show signs of what can look like life, such as the following:

  • Twitching, as a result of natural nerve spasms after death
  • The release of air from the mouth when moved
  • The release of bodily fluids and gas


These can all be quite upsetting for owners to witness, especially if they aren’t expecting them. They aren’t, sadly, signs that your pet is coming back to life. They are simply the natural bodily functions and what happens when a dog dies naturally.

When handling remains, always wear gloves and thoroughly clean any area that has been touched by the animal, as well as thoroughly cleaning any fluids that may have been spilt. It’s important to limit the spread of germs in the immediate aftermath.

You may wish to leave your pet at home for a few hours before organising a dead dog disposal; in which case, ensure that the body is left in a cool room, for no longer than 24 hours. Be aware that rigor mortis—the stiffening of joints after death—will begin to set in after around three to four hours.

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

Your local vet will be well placed to deal with dead dog disposal, and if you wish for it to be handled by them simply place a call as soon as possible. Your vet should then be able to organise the collection and subsequent burial or cremation, according to your preference.

If you wish for your dog to be cremated, it is possible to organise this yourself rather than going through a vet. Dog cremation is more costly than home burial, but gives owners a variety of options when it comes to memorialising their pet’s remains.

Crematoriums will return a dog’s ashes to their owner and these can be stored or scattered according to personal preference. Many owners choose to keep dog ashes in an urn or even store them in keepsake items, such as a piece of jewellery. Owners also often scatter their pet’s ashes in some of their favourite places or walks.

Remember that there are various options when it comes to cremation, including communal or private cremation. If you’re planning to use your pet’s ashes for a specific memorial, do bare in mind that although crematoriums do make an effort to keep ashes separate during communal cremations, this cannot be guaranteed.

The cost of dog cremation varies between different crematoriums and the options that they offer. These options depend on a variety of factors, such as the size of dog and whether a communal or private cremation is preferred. So, how much does it cost to cremate a dog? Overall costs will generally run to over £100.

Some owners choose to bury their dog at home. This option reduces the cost of dead dog disposal by avoiding expensive cremation costs and gives a final resting place to beloved pets, at home. If you’re thinking about home burial, it’s important to consider local laws. In the UK, it is legal to bury pets in a garden that you own. It isn’t legal to bury animals in the gardens of rented accommodation, any property that you don’t own, or in public places. If you choose to bury your dog, check with your vet that their remains are not hazardous to human health before proceeding and choose a place away from water sources.

When burying a dog at home, ensure that their grave is no less than three feet deep, to ensure that their remains stay covered. You may also wish to mark the burial site with a covering of stone, or even a potted plant.

There are some pet cemeteries and crematoriums around the UK that will provide burial services for dogs. This is generally a more expensive option than dog cremation, the final price being dependent on weight. Cemeteries may also require that remains be buried in a coffin or other container, which further adds to the overall cost.

Pet cemeteries will offer individual plots for dog burial and you may also erect a headstone or other memorial marker over the gravesite.

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

 What to do when your dog dies is just the beginning of a process that can be very difficult for pet owners. For many, the passing of a beloved pet is similar to the death of a friend or family member and you should always seek support if needed.

Grieving a pet is always difficult, but there are many support groups and organisations to reach out to during this time.

Sometimes death can be prevented by regular check-ups with your vet. If you’re concerned about your dog’s health take a look at our content hub and find out how to keep your dog in top health.

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?

What do you do with your pet once it dies?