4 Ways to Prepare for When Your Pet Passes Away
Dealing with the loss of a pet is always difficult, but taking steps to prepare for the inevitable can help alleviate some of the emotional burdens. Below are four methods that can assist you in preparing for and coping with your pet’s eventual passing.
#1: Evaluate the quality of life of your pet
It can be hard to know if your pet is feeling unwell, as they can’t communicate it to you. However, they may show signs of poor mental or physical health. To assess your pet’s well-being as they age or deal with a medical condition, you can use a quality-of-life scale. This method allows you to evaluate your pet objectively and determine if they are experiencing any suffering.
#2: Discuss how you can take care of your pet’s body
If your pet dies, dealing with their after-care can be overwhelming. It can help to plan ahead by discussing your preferences for your pet’s body, especially if your pet is terminally ill. Some common options for after-care include cremation, where you can choose to keep your pet’s ashes, and aquamation, which is becoming more popular but isn’t widely available everywhere.
#3: Consider joining grief support groups to help you cope with the loss of your pet
When you are grieving the loss of your pet, don’t hesitate to seek help from support groups along with your family and friends. You can find pet loss support hotlines at veterinary universities, and there are many pet bereavement groups on social media that may be relevant to your particular situation. Remember that you do not have to go through the grief journey alone.
#4: Determine the appropriate time to schedule the euthanasia of your pet
Losing a pet unexpectedly may alleviate the pressure of deciding whether euthanasia is necessary or not. However, you may also wonder if you failed to notice any signs of illness. On the other hand, determining when it’s time to say goodbye and scheduling euthanasia can still be a challenging decision. It’s important to keep in mind that most pets do not have a peaceful passing, and humane euthanasia can be a compassionate way to end your pet’s suffering, as an act of love.
If your pet is not doing well in terms of health or happiness, reach out to our team for assistance in evaluating their quality of life and getting ready for their eventual passing.