How Do I Dispose of My Dead Dog?

After a dog dies, no one likes to think about what to do with its body. You may need clarification about how to proceed when the time arrives. 

Dealing with a dog's passing is never easy. It could be much more challenging if you are unsure how to handle their remains. Burying or cremating your dog's remains are the two most frequent methods of final disposition. But other resources are available, such as your vet, the humane society, or animal control.

After your dog dies, this article will show you how to deal with their body.

How To Check That Your Dog Died

It would help if you didn't get rid of your dog while they're still alive; this is a disturbing but necessary subject. So, if you are concerned that your dog may be alive, the steps to take are as follows:

• Be alert for any changes in the abdomen. Be alert for even the smallest motions; weak breathing is a common sign of a dying dog.
• Could you make a note of their gums? Pink gums are a sign of a living dog. The gums of a dead dog lose their colour as time goes on from the moment of death.
• Find out if the patient has a pulse. One can place two fingers on the chest between the front legs or on the inside of the hind legs where the leg meets the body, depending on which animal it is.
• Feel for any rigidity. When an animal or human dies, rigour mortis will inevitably set in. It is a great indicator of impending death since it rigidifies the body.

Taking Care Of Your Dog's Body

Care for your dog's body in a safe, loving, and considerate way by following these steps.

• Wear gloves when handling the body. The anus, genitalia, and mouth are common sites for fluid leakage after death. The more you move the body, the more waste you should expect to emit. If you'd like, you can wash your dog's body gently. Wipe up the excess fluid with a moist cloth and discard the cloth. 
• Gather several large enough-to-wrap-around-your-dog towels, blankets, or bed sheets. Depending on the size of your dog, you might need more than one blanket or towel.
• You should also take a couple of extra-large garbage bags if you have some. To assist in stopping fluids from spilling out, double-bag the corpse by placing one garbage bag inside the other.
• Place the lifeless body on the bed, covering it with care. To make your dog appear sleeping, turn its body so its limbs are arranged in a sleeping position. Doing so is considerate and will also facilitate movement. 
• Ensure the sheet, blanket, or towel is tightly wrapped around the body. Put the corpse into the garbage bags after you've carefully lowered it. A dog of this size will require assistance. 
• Use tape or a knot to fasten the bag.
• Securely attach a label bearing your name and that of your dog to the plastic bag.
• Whether you're going to the pet crematorium or the vet's office for storage or just waiting for someone to come and get your dog, you're now prepared. 

You might have to put the corpse in the basement or garage if your vet or pet incinerator isn't open late. To keep your dog clean and odour-free for longer than a few hours, it's a good idea to use additional plastic bags to wrap his body. 

First Things To Do When Dealing With A Dead Dog

Decomposition starts rapidly when your dog dies. Thus, time is important. 

So, these are the things you should do right away when you find a dead dog, presuming you didn't put it to death at the vet.

Collect Trash Can Lint, And Paper Towels

Fluids shouldn't be oozing out of your dog's body just yet if they died recently. It might get messy if you come across a dead dog lying there for some time. Therefore, prepare yourself by gathering towels and plastic bags (ideally trash bags).

Slip A Bag Beneath The Dog

If you don't want your dog's pee all over your floor, you'll have to move it. Therefore, delicately manoeuvre a plastic bag under the dog.

The plastic sack should be much bigger than the dog. If the dog is on the larger side, you should use two bags. You can even push a cardboard piece under the plastic to add stability.

Arrange The Dog On The Bag

Placing them in a plastic bag will make it easier for them to move and reduce their overall footprint. The fetal position is the best one for the dog to be in.

Wrap Your Dog

Towels and a plastic bag should be used to encase your canine. Alternatively, you can use a sheet ideal for big dogs.

Get A Plastic Bag And Put Your Dog In It.

For the last step, you'll need an additional plastic bag. Put your towel-wrapped dog inside the bag with the assistance of someone else who can keep it open while you carefully pick it up.

Two trash bags, one for each end of the dog, may be necessary if your pet is particularly huge. 

Maintain A Cool Environment For Your Dog

You have already done half of the work to get rid of your dog. Finding a suitable spot to lay the body down is your next task. Our next stop will be to discuss your availability. Maintain a cool environment for your dog's remains till then. 

Methods For Dealing With The Remains Of Your Dog

Discover Whether The Vet Offers Waste Disposal Services. 

Look for someone else to handle the disposal of the remains if you are not strong enough or if you value your pet's soul more than the physical remains. The veterinarian may volunteer to care for the dog's remains in the event of an office death.

Dogs not passing away while in the vet's care may incur a minor price. This will meet the expense of cremation. However, some veterinarians do not impose this price.

If You Need Assistance With Your Dog's Remains, Contact The Humane Society. 

If your pet dies, the carcass may be accepted by a local humane group. Either they will come and collect the remains, or you will be required to transport them to the office. A lot of the time, this is given out for free.

There are "drop off" containers at some pet shelters, but many people prefer to bring them in during the day to be personally given to an animal caretaker.

Seek Assistance From Animal Control In Handling The Remains. 

Even if you want to avoid cremation, you might not have a suitable burial site for your pet. Contact animal control or the appropriate authorities in your area to find out if the sanitation department or someone else can get the carcasses.

You should never just leave your dog's body lying about in a dumpster or even in a forest. Make sure you always dispose of them in the right way. Talk to the authorities in your area if you need clarification.

Avoid Delays In Interment If Necessary

Finding a means to cool or freeze the corpse is essential if the burial has to be delayed. A lot of funeral homes will temporarily hold the remains. Mark the sack with both your names and your dog's. Make sure the room is cool, like a basement or garage, if you intend to keep the corpse at home for a while.

Proper Places To Bury A Deceased Dog

Now is the moment to decide where your dog will spend eternity. Who you are and what you're going through will determine the optimal option.

Here are the choices available to you:

Burial On Your Property

Having your cherished dog at your side at all times is the best. Burial in the backyard is a beautiful way to remember a dog if you have the room.

It would help if you didn't bury your dog in a garden or any other spot that could be dug up.

Additionally, ensure the area has sufficient drainage so water doesn't pool and drown your pet.

We suggest four feet of digging for the grave, but at least three are required. Remember that your dog will occupy some room—typically about a foot. 

As a result, your dog will be covered in two to three feet of dirt. That will deter scavengers from sniffing and removing their bodies from the ground.

Burying a dog in plastic will hinder natural decay and hurt the ecosystem, so it's not a good idea. Then, remove the plastic bag you used to encase the dog.

You won't need to wrap your dog in plastic, as we mentioned earlier, if you can bury them immediately. 

After laying your dog to rest in its burial, cover the dirt up. Keep the extra dirt away instead of throwing it away; your dog will take up more room.

Rather, the soil should be piled on top of the grave. Your dog's body will be better protected against erosion and scavengers as the dirt settles in and compacts down. 

Before you relocate, ask yourself if you would be okay leaving your dog's graveyard behind. 

Pet Cemetery

Although it may be costly, burying your dog at a pet cemetery is a wonderful choice if you would like a location where you may visit them forever.

Even while pet cemeteries are popping up everywhere, you might have to drive a bit to locate one near your house.

The majority of pet cemeteries provide bundles that include a piece of land, a casket, and the services of opening and shutting the burial. 

The cost of a pet cemetery will likely be several hundred dollars. Meanwhile, many dog owners think that the cost is minimal compared to the happiness their pet provides.

Cremation 

More than one million pets are cremated annually on average. As one would expect, cremation ranks high among the preferred methods of canine disposal.

One explanation for this is the relative lack of messiness associated with cremation. Additionally, it provides a way to avoid touching your pet dog when it dies. 

Being able to transport your dog's cremated remains wherever you go is another attractive aspect of dog cremation. 

When they pass away, some people even ask to have their dog interred with them in a special plot of land. 

Size and whether you opt for a communal or private cremation both have a major impact on how much it will cost to cremate your dog.

Now, we may go on to the following point—decide on the kind of cremation you choose. Most people who own dogs would rather have a private cremation than have their pet's remains mixed with those of other animals.

Finding a reputable dog cremation service in your region is something your vet can help you with.

Local Animal Control

It could seem like a letdown to call animal control to say goodbye to your dog. On the other hand, it's a solid alternative for those who need more resources or yard space for the other choices mentioned.

Additionally, you may feel less sentimental about keeping the dog's bodily remains if you believe your pet is in canine paradise.

Your tax dollars, grants, and donations fund the government's animal control programme.

The disposal of your dog may incur a nominal price in some instances when you contact animal control. Sometimes, they might even do it for free. 

It's common for them to give you the choice between picking up the dead dog from your house or having it brought to their office.

Conclusion

When a dog dies, it's important to be careful with their body. The most popular ways are to bury or burn the body, but your vet, the humane society, or animal control can also help. To tell if your dog has died, pay attention to changes in its muscles, gums, heart, and stiffness.

To take safe and kind care of your dog's body, wear gloves, wash it gently, bring big towels, blankets, or bed sheets, and use extra-large trash bags. Lay the dead person down on a bed, carefully cover it, and tie it up tight. Put the body in the trash bags and tie or tape them shut. Put a sticker on the plastic bag with your name and your dog's name on it.

If the vet or pet cemetery isn't open late, you could store the body for longer in the basement or shed. Wrap the dog's body in more plastic bags to keep it clean and free of smells.

When you find a dead dog, you should get a trash can liners and paper towels, put a plastic bag under the dog, wrap the dog in the bag, and put the dog somewhere cool. If the dog just died, the vet may offer to take care of the body for free, but some may charge a fee. The doctor may pay for the cost of cremation if the dog dies while in their care.

If the local humane society takes the dog's body parts, they may come to pick them up or bring them to the office for free. The local government or animal control can help you deal with the body parts. It is very important to properly dispose of the body and ask the local officials for help if you need to. It is important to get rid of the body the right way and not leave it in a dumpster or a forest.

Find a way to cool or freeze the body and write your name and your dog's names on the bag so that the burial doesn't take too long. If you're going to keep the body at home, a cool room like the garage or basement might work. Choose the best place to put your dog, like on your own land, in a pet cemetery, or by having it cremated.

You can honour your dog's memory by setting it on fire on your land, but make sure the area has enough drainage and at least three feet of digging. Protect the dog's body from weathering and scavengers by covering it with dirt. You can visit your dog in a pet cemetery forever, but it might cost a lot.

People often cremate their dogs because it is a clean, private, and easy way to move the body parts. Find a dog funeral service in your area that you can trust, and ask your vet for help.

For people who need more time, money, or yard space for other choices, local animal control can be a good alternative. They might do it for free or for a small fee, and you might be able to choose whether to have them pick up the dead dog from your home or have it brought to their office.

Content Summary

• Dealing with a deceased dog is a challenging and emotional task that requires careful consideration.
• Burying or cremating the remains are the most common methods of final disposition for a deceased dog.
• Veterinary services, humane societies, and animal control can provide assistance in handling your dog's remains.
• This article guides you on how to handle your dog's body after it passes away.
• Pay attention to signs of a dying dog, including changes in the abdomen and weak breathing.
• Check the gums for signs of life; pink gums indicate a living dog, while a lack of color suggests death.
• Confirm the presence of a pulse by checking specific areas on the chest or hind legs.
• Rigour mortis is a reliable indicator of impending death, as it causes the body to become rigid.
• Handle your dog's body with care, wearing gloves to avoid fluid leakage from common sites like the anus and genitalia.
• Use towels, blankets, or bed sheets to wrap the body securely, and double-bag it in garbage bags to prevent fluid spills.
• Position the body on a bed, ensuring limbs are arranged in a sleeping position for a more considerate appearance.
• Attach a label with your name and your dog's name to the plastic bag before disposal.
• Be prepared if your vet or pet incinerator is not open late; additional plastic bags can help keep the body clean and odour-free.
• Act promptly when dealing with a dead dog, as decomposition begins rapidly after death.
• Collect trash can lint and paper towels to prepare for handling the body and potential fluid leakage.
• Gently slip a plastic bag beneath the dog to prevent mess and facilitate movement.
• Consider using two bags for larger dogs or adding a cardboard piece for stability.
• Place the dog in the fetal position using towels and a plastic bag for easier handling.
• Wrap the dog in a sheet or use additional plastic bags for added protection.
• Maintain a cool environment for the dog's remains until further arrangements are made.
• Explore waste disposal services offered by the vet or consider other options for handling the remains.
• Contact the Humane Society for assistance, as they may collect the remains for free or at a minor cost.
• Consult animal control for guidance on proper disposal, ensuring you follow regulations in your area.
• Avoid delays in interment by finding ways to cool or freeze the body temporarily if necessary.
• Funeral homes may offer temporary storage for remains marked with your name and your dog's.
• Decide on an appropriate burial site, considering factors like drainage and protection against scavengers.
• Burying a dog in plastic is discouraged, as it hinders natural decay and harms the ecosystem.
• Pet cemeteries provide a lasting option for burial, including land, a casket, and burial services.
• Cremation is a popular choice, offering cleanliness and the option to transport cremated remains.
• Choose between private and communal cremation, with size influencing the cost of the service.
• Finding a reputable dog cremation service can be facilitated by consulting your vet.
• Local animal control is an alternative for those needing more resources or space for other burial options.
• Contacting animal control may involve a nominal fee, but they may offer free services in some instances.
• Tax dollars, grants, and donations fund government animal control programs.
• Options may include picking up the deceased dog from your home or having it brought to their office.
• Burial in your backyard allows for a more personal connection, but choose a suitable spot with sufficient drainage.
• Bury your dog at least three feet deep to deter scavengers, covering the grave with piled-up soil.
• Consider the emotional impact of leaving your dog's graveyard behind before relocating.
• Pet cemeteries offer a more formal and expensive option, providing a dedicated space for remembrance.
• Bundles from pet cemeteries often include land, a casket, and burial services.
• Cremation is a clean and convenient option, with the choice between private and communal services.
• Transporting cremated remains allows for flexibility in memorialising your pet.
• Some people request to be interred with their dog in a special plot of land upon their own passing.
• The cost of cremation varies based on size and the chosen type of service.
• Private cremation is preferred by many dog owners to avoid mixing remains with those of other animals.
• Consult your vet to find a trustworthy dog cremation service in your area.
• Local animal control can be a practical choice, especially for those less sentimental about keeping the remains.
• Your tax dollars and donations contribute to funding government animal control programs.
• In some cases, animal control may offer a choice between home pickup or bringing the deceased dog to their office.
• Proper disposal methods are crucial, and consultation with local authorities can provide clarity on regulations.