Learn about Ways to Prepare for Your Pet’s Passing
Even though losing a pet is never easy, preparing for it can lessen your mental and emotional aches. Here are four recommendations to help you prepare for and grieve the eventual loss of your pet.
#1: Assess your pet’s quality of life
While your pet cannot convey its illness to you, it can show signs of poor physical and mental health. As your pet ages or suffers from a chronic medical condition, you can assess their health and happiness using a quality of life scale. Using the quality of life scale, you can analyze your pet objectively and determine whether they are suffering.
#2: Decide when to schedule your pet’s euthanasia
The stress of determining when—and if—euthanasia is the right option is lifted when a pet passes unexpectedly, but you might wonder whether you missed your pet’s sickness. Contrarily, figuring out when to plan euthanasia and when your pet is ready to pass away is never easy. However, remember that not all pets pass peacefully in their sleep so humane euthanasia can be your final act of devotion to your suffering pet.
#3: Discuss how to care for your pet’s body
You might not be ready to care for 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 it may pass soon. You can decide to receive your pet’s ashes after cremation, which is a standard option. Although it is still not widely accessible, aquamation is becoming increasingly popular as an after-care option.
#4: Rely on grief support groups to process your pet’s passing
Reach out to support groups in addition to relying on your loved ones and friends during this difficult time. Numerous veterinary schools provide pet loss support hotlines, and many pet bereavement groups on social media may suit your particular circumstance. You never have to go through grief on your own.
Ask our staff for assistance in determining your pet’s quality of life and making arrangements for their eventual passing if their health or happiness is deteriorating.