How to Prepare For the Loss of Your Pet
Losing a pet is a difficult experience, but planning ahead can reduce the emotional turmoil. Here are four ways to prepare for and cope with the eventual loss of your pet.
#1: Assess your pet’s quality of life
Although your pet cannot directly tell you when they are sick, they may display signs of poor mental or physical health. Using a quality of life scale, you can assess your pet’s health and happiness as they age or deteriorate from a chronic medical condition. The quality of life scale is a tool that can help you evaluate your pet objectively and determine if they are experiencing any suffering.
#2: Decide when to schedule your pet’s euthanasia
Losing a pet suddenly may alleviate the difficult decision of when to euthanize them. However, you may feel guilty for not recognizing your pet’s illness. On the other hand, deciding when to euthanize your pet is always a challenging task. It’s important to remember that most pets don’t pass away peacefully while sleeping, so euthanasia may be the kindest option to end the suffering of your beloved pet.
#3: Discuss how to care for your pet’s body
If your pet passes away, you may not know how to handle their after-care. To avoid stress, it’s a good idea to talk with your vet about what you would like to do with your pet’s body in advance. Cremation is a common option, and you can choose to receive your pet’s ashes. Another option that is becoming more popular is aquamation, but it is not widely available yet.
#4: Rely on grief support groups to process your pet’s death
To get more help while grieving for your pet, consider seeking support from support groups. You can find pet loss support hotlines in various veterinary universities, and there are also many pet bereavement groups on social media that can help you through your unique situation. Remember, you don’t have to go through your grief alone.
If you notice a decline in your pet’s health or happiness, reach out to our team for assistance in evaluating their quality of life and making preparations for when they pass away.