What to Do When Your Pet Dies: A Step-by-Step Guide

If your pet has just died, here's what you need to know, in order:

1. Confirm they've passed. Check for breathing and a heartbeat. If you're unsure, call your vet or an emergency clinic.
2. Take a moment. You don't have to do anything immediately. Sit with your pet if you need to.
3. Position and cool the body. Gently curl them into a natural posture and move them to the coolest room available.
4. Contact a vet or cremation provider. They'll guide everything from here.

The rest of this guide walks through each step in detail — including what to do with the body, how to choose between cremation and burial, how to talk to your kids, what to expect emotionally, and the practical tasks that come in the days and weeks after.

In the First Few Minutes

Confirm your pet has died

If your pet is very still and you're not sure whether they've passed:

• Check for breathing. Place your hand on their chest and watch for any movement. You can also hold a small mirror or tissue near their nostrils — if there's any airflow, you'll see fog on the mirror or movement in the tissue. This is more reliable than watching the chest, especially for small pets.
• Feel for a heartbeat. Put your hand on their chest just behind the front leg. Wait at least 30 seconds.
• Check the eyes. After death, eyes are typically open with large pupils and won't blink if you gently touch the surface.

Important: after death, you may notice small muscle twitches, a release of air from the lungs that sounds like a sigh, or your pet's eyes remaining open. These are normal post-mortem reflexes — they are not signs of life. Bodily fluids (urine, saliva) will also release as muscles relax. All of this is expected and does not mean your pet is suffering.

If there's any chance your pet is still alive — if you feel a faint pulse, see shallow breathing, or simply aren't sure — call an emergency vet immediately. PetMD recommends contacting your veterinarian even after hours, as most clinics have recorded emergency instructions or can confirm death remotely. Don't guess.

Take a moment

You don't have to rush into logistics. There's no emergency timeline — your pet's body will be fine for several hours before you need to do anything practical. If you want to sit with them, talk to them, cry, or bring other family members or pets in to be near them, do that.

If you're alone and feel overwhelmed, call someone you trust — not to make decisions, just to be with you.

In the First Hour

Position your pet's body

Rigor mortis typically begins within 2–4 hours, so positioning your pet sooner is easier. Gently place them on their side in a natural, curled posture — as if they're sleeping. BluePearl Pet Hospital recommends doing this before stiffness sets in, as it makes handling and transport much more manageable later.

Clean and contain

After death, pets often release bodily fluids. Place an absorbent towel or pad underneath them. Use a towel to gently clean any fluids. Cover your pet with a light blanket — this keeps them private and contained.

Take keepsakes if you want them

If you'd like a paw print, a lock of fur, or a photo, now is the time. You don't have to — but doing it now is easier than wishing you had later. Some cremation providers also offer paw prints and fur clippings as part of their service, so you can let them handle it if you prefer.

Start cooling the body

Move your pet to the coolest room in your home — a basement, garage, tiled bathroom, or a room with the air conditioning turned down. If you have ice packs, place them wrapped in towels around (not directly on) the body. This slows natural changes and gives you more time before you need to arrange pickup or transport.

For detailed guidance on how long you can wait and your cooling options, see our [guide to keeping a deceased pet before cremation].

In the First Few Hours

Call your vet or a cremation provider

Once you've had a moment and your pet's body is settled, it's time to make a call — or go online.

If your pet died at the vet or emergency hospital, the clinic will hold the body in refrigerated storage and can either arrange cremation through their partner or hold your pet until your chosen provider picks up.

If your pet died at home, you have two paths:

Call your vet. They can often accept the body for temporary storage and arrange cremation through their partner (usually Gateway Pet Memorial in the GTHA). This is the simplest option if you don't have a cremation provider in mind.

Contact a cremation provider directly. This gives you more control over who handles your pet, what type of cremation you get, and what's included. Most providers will pick up from your home, your vet, or an emergency hospital.

At Florence, you can arrange everything online — 24/7. Enter your pet's details, choose cremation type, sign the authorization, and pay. We'll coordinate pickup from wherever your pet is, anywhere in the GTHA. Pickup is available 8 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week, included in every cremation at no extra charge.

For a full walkthrough of the arrangement process, see our [guide to arranging a pet cremation].

Choosing Cremation or Burial

You don't have to decide this in the first hour. But within the first day, you'll want a plan so the body can be properly cared for.

Cremation

The most common choice in the GTHA. There are three types:

Communal cremation. Multiple pets are cremated together. No ashes returned. The most affordable option — typically $65–$500 in the GTHA depending on your pet's size and provider.

Individual (partitioned) cremation. Multiple pets share the chamber, separated by dividers. Ashes are returned, but there's a possibility of incidental mixing. Mid-range pricing.

Private cremation. Your pet is the only animal in the chamber. All ashes are guaranteed to be your pet's alone. Typically $250–$720 in the GTHA.

At Florence, private cremation is $449 (under 25 lbs) or $549 (25–250 lbs), all-inclusive. Communal is $199 or $279. For detailed pricing from every GTHA provider, see our [complete pet cremation pricing guide].

For a full explanation of the differences between cremation types, see our [guide to private vs. individual vs. communal cremation].

If cost is a concern: communal cremation through a GTHA humane society can be as low as $65–$105 through Gateway-partner shelters like the Humane Society of Oakville & Milton or the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA. The Toronto Humane Society offers communal cat cremation for as little as $30 as a clinic add-on. Some providers also offer payment plans. Not being able to afford private cremation doesn't mean your pet won't be treated with care — communal cremation is a respectful, dignified option.

Burial

Home burial is an option in some Ontario municipalities, but rules vary. Generally, you'll need to bury at least 3 feet deep, away from wells, watercourses, and property lines. Check with your municipality before proceeding.

Critical safety note: if your pet was euthanized, the drug used (pentobarbital) remains toxic in the body and can poison wildlife, stray animals, or other pets that dig up the remains. For euthanized pets, cremation is strongly recommended over home burial. If you do choose burial, bury at least 4 feet deep and cover with heavy rocks to prevent digging. Ask your vet for specific guidance.

Pet cemetery burial is a more formal option with permanent plots and markers. This is less common in the GTHA but available through some providers.

Talking to Children

If you have kids, they'll need to hear about what happened — and sooner is better than later. Children fill silence with imagination, and what they imagine is usually worse than the truth.

Use simple, honest language: "Our pet's body stopped working and they died. They can't feel anything now." Avoid "put to sleep" (creates fear of bedtime), "went away" (implies they might come back), and "we lost them" (children may look for them).

Let them ask questions. Let them be sad, angry, quiet, or seemingly unaffected — all are normal responses. If they want to see the pet, help with a memorial, or draw a picture, let them.

For age-specific scripts and detailed guidance, see our [guide to talking to children about pet death] and our [guide to explaining cremation to a child].

What About Other Pets?

If you have other animals in the home, they may notice the absence. Many behaviourists suggest allowing surviving pets to briefly see and smell the body — this can help them understand the pet is gone rather than just missing.

Watch for changes in behaviour over the following days: loss of appetite, increased clinginess, restlessness, or vocalizing. VCA Animal Hospitals notes that cats in particular may stop eating, which can become a health concern if it persists beyond a day or two. Maintain their normal feeding and play schedule. Spend extra time with them. If a surviving pet seems very distressed or stops eating, consult your vet.

First-Day Checklist

By the end of the first day:

• Confirm your pet has died (or have a vet confirm)
• Position, clean, and cool the body
• Contact a vet or cremation provider and choose your aftercare
• Arrange pickup or transport
• Tell household members, close family, and anyone who cared for your pet
• Take keepsakes if you want them (paw print, fur, photos)
• If you have children, have the conversation — see guides above

First-Week Checklist

In the days that follow:

• If you chose private cremation, expect ashes back within 7–14 business days (at Florence, 7–10 business days with text updates at every stage)
• Tell your pet's other caregivers — dog walker, groomer, daycare, pet sitter
• Notify your pet's school or daycare if children are involved, so teachers understand any behaviour changes
• Cancel or pause pet insurance, wellness plans, and any medication subscriptions
• Update your pet's microchip registration to reflect their passing
• Cancel your municipal pet license (in Ontario, you may need to provide a vet certificate)
• Put away food, medication, and supplies when you feel ready — there's no rush

Planning a Memorial

A small ritual can help everyone — adults, children, and even other pets — begin to process the loss. You don't have to do this right away. Some ideas:

• Light a candle and share favourite memories
• Make a memory box with photos, the collar, a favourite toy, or written stories
• Plant a tree or flowers in their memory (if using ashes, see our [guide to what to do with pet ashes] for important information about soil pH)
• Write a letter to your pet
• Paint a stone with their name or a paw print

When ashes arrive, you can hold a scattering ceremony, place the urn somewhere meaningful, or simply keep them. For a full guide to your options, see our [guide to what to do with pet ashes after cremation].

Sharing the News

If you want to let others know, keep it simple and personal. A social media post or message might say:

"Today we said goodbye to [name]. [He/she] filled our lives with [specific quality — joy, chaos, warmth, loyalty] for [number] years. We're heartbroken but grateful for every moment. Thank you for all your love."

Include a photo if you'd like. You don't need to explain the details — just acknowledge the loss and the love.

If someone you know has lost a pet, a short message goes a long way: "I'm so sorry about [name]. [He/she] was such a special [dog/cat]. I know how much [he/she] meant to you." Acknowledging the pet by name matters more than finding the perfect words.

Taking Care of Yourself

Pet grief is real grief. It's normal to feel devastated, numb, guilty, angry, or all of these at once. Some people are surprised by how hard it hits — especially if others don't understand ("it was just a pet"). Your grief is valid regardless of what anyone else thinks.

What helps:

• Talk to someone who gets it — a friend, family member, or support group
• Maintain your own routine (meals, sleep, exercise) even when it feels pointless
• Let yourself feel what you feel without trying to rush through it

Pet loss support resources:

• ASPCA Pet Loss Resources
• Ontario Veterinary College Pet Loss Support — based in Guelph, serving Ontario; phone: (519) 824-4120 x53694
• Lap of Love Pet Loss Support — online resources and virtual support groups
• HelpGuide — Coping with Losing a Pet — comprehensive grief guidance with academic citations
• Pet Compassion Careline: 1-855-245-8214 (24/7, English/French/Spanish)
• Crisis line (Canada): 9-8-8

When to seek professional help: if weeks have passed and you're struggling to sleep, eat, work, or maintain relationships, consider talking to a therapist familiar with grief. Pet loss grief can be as intense as any other loss, and there's no shame in needing support.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not positioning your pet before rigor mortis. Stiffening typically begins within 2–4 hours. Gently curling your pet into a natural posture while they're still flexible makes handling and transport much easier. After stiffening, it becomes very difficult.

Not cooling the body. Decomposition starts immediately at room temperature. Moving your pet to a cool room and adding ice packs buys you 24–48 hours. Waiting too long without cooling creates a much harder situation.

Not taking keepsakes in time. Paw prints, fur clippings, and whisker clippings need to happen before the body is picked up or becomes stiff. If these matter to you, do them in the first hour.

Burying a euthanized pet without precautions. Pentobarbital (the euthanasia drug) remains toxic in the body and can poison wildlife or other animals that dig up the remains. Cremation is strongly recommended for euthanized pets.

Assuming the vet handles everything optimally. Your vet will arrange cremation if you ask, but you have the right to choose your own provider. If the type of cremation, the tracking process, or the communication experience matters to you, arrange it directly.

Not understanding cremation types. Communal cremation does not return ashes. If you want ashes back, you need individual or private cremation — and these are not the same thing. Ask: "Will my pet be the only one in the chamber?"

Rushing to get a new pet. A new pet too soon can feel like a replacement rather than a new relationship — especially for children. Allow genuine grieving time before making that decision.

Forgetting admin tasks. Microchip registrations, pet insurance, medication subscriptions, grooming appointments, and municipal licenses don't cancel themselves. These become painful surprise reminders if left unhandled. Use the first-week checklist above.

Frequently Asked Questions

My pet just died at home. What do I do first? Confirm they've passed (check breathing and heartbeat). Take a moment if you need one. Then gently position them, place a towel underneath, and move them to the coolest room available. Call your vet or a cremation provider within a few hours.

How long can I keep my pet at home after they die? Without cooling, 4–12 hours. With ice packs and a cool room, 24–48 hours. With refrigeration, up to 72 hours. With freezing, weeks or months. For full details, see our [guide to keeping a deceased pet before cremation].

Do I have to use my vet's cremation service? No. You can arrange cremation directly with any provider. Most will pick up from your home, your vet, or an emergency hospital. Tell your vet you've made your own arrangements and they'll hold the body until your provider picks up.

How much does pet cremation cost? In the GTHA, communal cremation runs $65–$500 and private cremation runs $250–$720, depending on your pet's size and provider. At Florence, private cremation is $449 (under 25 lbs) or $549 (25–250 lbs), all-inclusive. See our [complete pricing guide] for every provider.

What if my pet dies in the middle of the night? At Florence, you can start the arrangement process online at any time — 24/7. Pickup is available 8 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. Complete the online arrangement and we'll coordinate morning pickup.

Should I let my other pets see the body? Many behaviourists recommend it. Allowing surviving pets to briefly see and smell the body can help them understand the pet is gone rather than just missing. Watch for behaviour changes in the following days and maintain their normal routine.

Should I let my children see the body? For school-age children and older, it can help make the death concrete rather than abstract. Let the child decide how close they want to be. For younger children, use your judgment based on their temperament. For detailed guidance, see our [guide to talking to children about pet death].