No one likes to talk about death, especially when it comes to a family member or a pet. However, death is a natural part of life, and you want to be prepared for taking care of your four-legged friend in their final days with your family.
Here is Companion Memorial Crematorium’s guide on how to take care of your beloved pet towards the end of their life.
The general goal you should have at this stage of your pet’s life is to make their days as comfortable and painless as possible.
Surround them with their favorite things — a fuzzy blanket, a well-loved chew toy, and of course, you. Provide them with a comfortable, accessible, and well-cushioned sleeping spot to help prevent pressure sores and other injuries. Older pets may develop incontinence, so check on them regularly and clean up after them if they have soiled themselves.
Pet hospice care ensures your pet’s comfort in their final days. It typically involves pain management, dietary regulation, regular human interaction, as well as cooperation and communication with your pet’s veterinary team. Essentially, you’ll be your pet’s nurse and caregiver until the end of their life.
However, you want to make sure that you’re not prolonging your pet’s suffering with hospice care.
If your pet’s suffering begins to outweigh their ability to enjoy life, you’ll want to consider euthanasia — a painless and humane way to end your pet’s life surrounded by the people they love. If this is the case for you, your vet will advise you on the best time to do so.
Although this may (understandably) be something you want to put off for as long as possible, you’ll also want to consider what you will do after your pet passes on.
Pet cremations and burials are the most common options for pet owners. Cremations can be done with other pets or privately, meaning that your pet will be cremated separately.
If you decide that a burial is best, check with your local laws first. Some areas prohibit you from burying your pet in certain areas, like on your property or in parks. Others may only allow animals to be buried in pet cemeteries or memorial parks.
Your vet can help you make a decision as well as set up the necessary arrangements during this difficult time.
As a devoted pet owner, you want to do what you can to ensure your pet’s comfort at the end of their life. Although Companion Memorial Crematorium focuses on providing services after your pet has passed on, we know enough about our beloved furry friends to help you in this stage of your pet’s journey as well.
Our veteran-owned company is affiliated with the Animal Hospital of Sullivan County — in fact, you can find us in the hospital’s beautiful gardens as well. We’re located in Ferndale, NY but we serve pet owners in Sullivan County and Catskills as well.
If you’d like to learn more about cremation services we provide, get in touch by filling out the contact form on our website. On the other hand, if you have any questions or concerns about our services, you can reach us directly by calling 845-292-6711 ext. 13.
