Discover Methods to Plan For the End of Your Pet’s Life
Losing a pet is always difficult, but planning ahead can alleviate some of the emotional burden. These four tips can assist you in preparing for and coping with your pet’s eventual passing.
#1: Assess your pet’s quality of life
Pets cannot communicate when they are not feeling well, but they can show physical and emotional symptoms. By using a quality of life scale, you can evaluate their health and happiness as they get older or if they have a chronic illness. The scale helps you make an objective assessment of your pet’s condition and decide if they are in distress.
#2: Decide when to schedule your pet’s euthanasia
Losing a pet suddenly may relieve you from deciding whether to euthanize them or not, but it can also leave you wondering if you missed any signs of illness. On the contrary, it’s always a challenging task to decide when it’s time to let your pet go and opt for euthanasia. Although it’s essential to keep in mind that some animals don’t pass away peacefully, so it may be the best decision to compassionately euthanize them out of love to end their suffering.
#3: Discuss how to care for your pet’s body
If your pet passes away, it can be challenging to know how to handle their after-care. Planning ahead and discussing the preferred method of caring for your pet’s remains can ease some of the stress. Cremation is a common option, and you can keep your pet’s ashes if you wish. Another option, aquamation, is gaining popularity but is not yet widely available.
#4: Rely on grief support groups to process your pet’s death
During your grieving process, it can be beneficial to seek support from pet loss support hotlines or social media pet bereavement groups that cater to your specific needs. In addition to relying on family and friends, connecting with others who understand what you’re going through can be very helpful. Remember that you don’t have to face your grief alone.
If you notice that your pet’s health or mood is getting worse, reach out to our team for assistance in evaluating their quality of life and preparing for their eventual passing.