What to do when your pet passes away at home

A white and light brown Jack Russell Terrier with floppy ears sits on the lawn

Please note that this article discusses pet loss and end-of-life care, which may be distressing for some readers. Discretion is advised. If you are struggling with the loss of a pet or a loved one, please know that support is available. You can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 for additional support.

When a cherished animal companion is nearing the end of their life, we as their human family members want to ensure a peaceful and pain-free goodbye for them.

The right information and professional guidance on veterinary end-of-life care options can relieve the uncertainty and burden of responsibility that many owners feel in their pet’s final days, ensuring the gentlest death for a beloved pet and helping the bereaved owners to feel more at peace with their pet’s passing.

Deciding on euthanasia at home vs vet care

Whether your pet has been diagnosed with a terminal health condition or has simply started showing signs of deterioration in their mental or physical condition, it’s a difficult but sensible step to start considering the logistics of their final days.

While every owner wants to see their pet pass away peacefully, may not be sure about how to best facilitate this and may be under the impression that a natural death at home will be kindest. While some pets do pass away suddenly or in their sleep, a natural death at home is unfortunately not always so brief or gentle. Without dedicated nursing and end-of-life veterinary care, many pets can unfortunately slowly deteriorate over a number of days and may suffer from:

Pain or discomfort
Breathing difficulties
Nausea
Pressure sores
Discomfort and skin irritation from being unable to get up to toilet
Confusion or disorientation

For this reason, if your pet is becoming unable to live comfortably, it’s best to reach out to your trusted veterinary clinic or a dedicated home visit veterinary palliative care and euthanasia service.

If you are uncertain about your pet’s condition, these veterinary professionals can assess your pet and give advice on either appropriate comfort support (palliative or hospice care) or euthanasia (the medical procedure for gently ending a pet’s life). A veterinarian can help you decide whether euthanasia is appropriate and also help to ensure that all those who wish to say a final goodbye get the opportunity to do so.

Once the decision is made for euthanasia, you will usually have the choice of proceeding with an in-clinic euthanasia, performed at a veterinary hospital, or arranging a home visit euthanasia. Putting your pet to sleep at home allows you and your pet to stay in your familiar environment, which can be preferable for anxious animals, animals who are difficult to move, or pet parents who wish for more privacy.

What to do immediately if your pet passes away at home

If you find that your pet appears to have passed away unexpectedly at home, with the guidance of your vet, you can gently check their body to confirm death. This could involve:

Checking that they have stopped breathing (by confirming there is no usual rise and fall movement of their chest for 30 seconds or more)
Checking that they don’t blink when their eyeball is gently touched (known as checking the corneal reflex)

If you’re still unsure or find it too confronting to check your pet’s body, you can request a home veterinary visit or take them in to be checked at your local veterinary clinic. This will also give you an opportunity to discuss the options available for the aftercare of your pet’s body.

For more information on pet aftercare and memorialisation options, take a look at our guide on laying your pet to rest.

Handling your pet respectfully and safely

After a pet has died, it’s common for their body to release fluids. If you are required to move your pet’s body, it’s best to place a few absorptive layers right nearby to move them onto and wrap them in (such as layered towels/blankets and/or a disposable puppy pad), and wear gloves or wash your hands well afterwards.

Initially, your pet’s body will be very relaxed, so you will need to support their head as you move them. However, around 1-2 hours after they pass, their body will start to temporarily stiffen; a natural process known as rigor mortis that usually lasts around 1-2 days. If possible, it can be comforting and practical to gently curl your pet’s body into a “sleeping” position before this point.

If your pet’s body can’t immediately be buried or transported for cremation, you may wish to move them to the coolest possible location where they will be protected from other animals and cover them with a blanket or set up a fan to deter flies. You can also slow natural decomposition by placing ice bags gently up against their body and regularly switching these out as they melt.

Supporting children and family members

It’s normal for different people, even immediate family members, to process and grieve the loss of a pet in a variety of ways.

Some family members may want to see their pet’s body to say a final goodbye and have the closure of seeing their beloved companion relaxed and at peace, while others may prefer not to see their pet in an unmoving state, believing that the body is only an empty vessel or preferring to only have memories of their pet from when they were alive and active.

When it comes to telling a child that their pet has died, the best approach will depend on the age and emotional maturity of the child, as well as the beliefs of the family. It’s usually recommended for caregivers to be gentle but honest with the child about the pet’s death, using age-appropriate language. It is natural for children to have questions and big emotions in this situation, and ideally, they should be encouraged to approach a trusted adult at any time for more information, comfort, or reassurance.

For more information on coping with grief after the loss of a pet, and reach out to a trusted health professional if you or a family member require additional support, such as:

A pet bereavement counselling service, such as Griefline, Pets and People or Rest Your Paws
A mental health support service such as Lifeline or Beyond Blue
A psychologist
Your GP

While it’s heartbreaking to have to say goodbye, a peaceful death is the last gift we can give to our beloved animal companions.

Discover more articles and insights on The Dish.

Tools