How to Prepare for Your Pet’s Passing
Losing a pet is always difficult, but you can ease your mental and emotional distress by preparing in advance. Here are four ways to prepare for and process your pet’s eventual passing.
#1: Choose a time to schedule euthanasia for your pet
Losing a pet suddenly may alleviate the tough decision of whether or not to euthanize them. However, it can also make you doubt if you failed to notice signs of illness. On the other hand, deciding when to let go of a suffering pet through euthanasia is always a hard choice. It’s important to keep in mind that very few pets pass away peacefully in their sleep, so making the compassionate decision to euthanize can be a final act of love for your pet.
#2: Please evaluate the quality of life of your pet
It can be difficult to know if your pet is not feeling well, but there are signs that they are not physically or mentally healthy. To evaluate your pet’s health and happiness, you can use a quality of life scale as they age or deal with a chronic medical condition. This scale helps you assess your pet’s well-being objectively and can help you determine if they are experiencing any distress.
#3: Let’s have a discussion on how to take care of your pet’s body
If your pet passes away, you may not know how to handle their after-care. To avoid added stress, it’s a good idea to discuss end-of-life arrangements beforehand. Many people choose cremation and can even request to receive their pet’s ashes. Aquamation is another option that’s becoming more popular but may not be offered everywhere yet.
#4: Consider joining a grief support group to cope with the loss of your pet
While you mourn the loss of your pet, don’t hesitate to seek help from support groups. Several veterinary universities provide pet loss support hotlines, and there are many pet bereavement groups on social media that may suit your circumstances. Remember that you don’t have to go through the grieving process by yourself.
If you notice that your pet is becoming less healthy or happy, reach out to our team for guidance on evaluating their overall quality of life and getting ready for their eventual passing.