Guide to End-of-Life Care for Pets: FAQs, Myths, and Facts

Contributors: Dr. Céline Leheurteux, DVM | Adrienne Tuling, BSc

They say that “pain is a measure of happiness experienced.” This holds very true when speaking about the loss of a beloved pet companion. Since the death of a pet can be one of the most difficult times in a pet owner’s life, we’ve compiled a list of questions to ask Dr. Céline Leheurteux, a veterinarian since 2000, about the end-of-life issues of our companion pets and the options we have in caring for their remains. We hope this not only informs pet parents but also helps to destigmatize euthanasia and the processes that follow.

  • The cost of euthanasia typically covers the time the procedure takes, around 30-minute consultation, and medical materials used for the euthanasia such as catheters, tranquillizers, and syringes. If the clinic uses a designated body bag for all euthanasia, this may also be included in the cost

  • Euthanized pet remains can be poisonous and possibly fatal to other pets who ingest them. These poisons may persist in the soil for an unknown period of time and aquamation. Cremation addresses this hazard. Moreover, euthanized pets that died of a contagious disease should always be cremated. Some jurisdictions prohibit burial altogether specially in urban and suburban areas. Permission is required if you want to bury your pet on a property you do not own.

  • As a pet may release bodily fluids after passing, they are usually placed into a plastic cadaver bag for transportation to the aftercare provider. If this seems impersonal, you can ask your vet or pet’s aftercare provider about the option of a tastefully designed, dedicated pet body bag, such as EUTHABAG, for your beloved companion. EUTHABAG is the first designated body bag for pets that has been designed in Canada by a veterinarian.

    The next step depends on your choice of pet aftercare options. You may wish to plan these details ahead of time so you won’t be required to make decisions in the difficult moments after your pet passes. You can either work through your veterinary clinic or directly with the aftercare provider you have selected.

    Regardless of whether euthanasia takes place in your home or a veterinary clinic, pets who will be cremated are generally frozen in freezers provided by corporate aftercare providers to both clinics and mobile veterinarians. Pick-up is generally scheduled twice-weekly, though additional emergency pick‑ups are available when freezers reach capacity before scheduled collection. Alternatively, veterinarians and pet parents may take pets directly to the aftercare provider during regular business hours. You may find a local independent pet aftercare provider that offers personalized services.

    Aquamation operators also provide pet aftercare and generally have same-day pick-up services that are included within a radius of their location. There may be additional fees for after hours, weekends, or holiday pick-up, as well as for travel outside their service area. Since same day pick-up is available for both clinics and residences, freezing isn’t usually necessary. Alternatively, arrangements can be made for parents to take their pet directly to their aquamation aftercare provider.

  • You can do either. Most aftercare providers/funeral services deal directly with pet owners, while others only deal with a veterinarian. Aftercare providers are very compassionate and can pick up your pet directly from your home.

  • Cremation is the process of reducing the body to ash and bone particles through the application of intense heat of about 1,000 degrees Celsius. The remaining bone fragments - collectively known as ‘cremated remains’ or ‘cremains’ - are further pulverized, resulting in a white/greyish coarse sand-like powder which is poured in a sealed plastic bag, cardboard box, or urn and safely returned to the family.

  • A greener alternative to flame-based cremation is aquamation, also referred to as bio-cremation, which uses a chemical process called alkaline hydrolysis. This process is realized with a solution of 95% water and 5% alkali heated to around 200°F that is gently circulated in the stainless-steel vessel during the process. The alkali used during this process is potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, or a combination of the two, both of which are ingredients commonly found in soap and skincare products. At the end of the process, all body tissue is reduced to its basic building blocks, and just inorganic bone minerals remain (as well as implanted items like microchips). The remains are dried and processed into powder and returned to the family in an urn if they wish to receive them.

  • The day we lose a pet rank among the most difficult days in our lives. Pre-arranging the details of your pet’s afterlife care eases the burden of what will be an emotional and stressful day. Exploring afterlife care options in advance allows you to make informed decisions about how best to honor your pet. Your wishes will be on file with your aftercare provider, including the transfer from your vet or your home, to carry out when the time comes. Consider details, including what you would like your pet transported in. A customizable and dignified option you may consider is a EUTHABAG, which can be purchased and personalized in advance. A letter can even be inserted in the body bag.

  • If you want to bury your pet it is important that you check local bylaws, as it is prohibited in some jurisdictions to bury a pet, especially in urban or suburban areas. In the absence of specific local legislation, if you do decide to bury your pet, you should follow basic guidelines to protect human domestic, wild animals and environmental health.

    • Euthanized pet remains are poisonous and possibly mortal to other animals who would ingest it

    • Pets that died of a contagious disease should be cremated

    • A deceased animal may leak body fluids after passing

    • Place a layer of lime at the bottom of the hole and afterwards, on top of the body to balance the remains’ acidity

    • Ensure when digging a hole that the top of the body is covered by at least two feet of soil. If this depth is not attainable, it is important to cover the hole with a large rock or wire to prevent

    scavenging by domestic or wild animals.

    • Buried pets must not come in contact with any surface bodies of water or groundwater including inland lakes, streams, rivers or open drains. Nor should they be buried in sandy soils, black land,

    rocky soil, flood land or around home foundations or water intake.

    • Pet graves must not be located within 200 feet of any stream or groundwater and must be at least 500 feet from any intake water.

    • Make sure to compress the earth and level the floor.

    • Finally, if you ever sell your property, it is important to notify the future buyers of the presence of any pets that may be buried on the land.

  • Veterinarians may select their aftercare provider for different reasons. Some will select based on the ethical practices of the service, while others will choose based on cost or the quality of their relation with the provider. This is a good question to ask your veterinarian, should you decide to work through him or her. It is also recommended to do due diligence and research local aftercare providers. If you find one that meets your needs, you can either work directly with them, or request that your veterinarian use their service. There are also instances where veterinarians have their own facility on-site.

  • Procedures vary by clinic. Your pet can be placed in a cardboard coffin, a professional purpose-built pet body bag like EUTHABAG. It is important to note that, since many pets may leak bodily fluids afterwards, they should be placed in a leak-and-tear proof receptacle that is easy to handle to and from a vehicle.

  • es, in fact, they are the specialists in dealing with afterlife care. They have dedicated their lives to helping pet parents peacefully say goodbye to their beloved companions.

  • Most veterinary clinics and aftercare providers still use plastic bags to transport and cremate pets. Although this may be distressing, some clinics have opted to use more respectful and purpose-built bags, such as EUTHABAG, to allow the pet to depart with dignity. It is recommended to check this information with your clinic or aftercare service. Some, albeit very few aftercare providers, may remove the pet from the bag prior to cremation.

  • Depends on the service that was chosen between private and communal cremation. Some aftercare providers price by weight, species or just by the service being offered. Inquiring ahead of time and taking care of billing prior to the euthanasia is recommended to avoid additional stress during those final moments.

  • Some pet insurers will cover the cost of cremation along with an urn. It is important to verify with each insurer.

  • Different pet aftercare providers may define their cremation services differently. It is important to visit

    their website or establishment to understand the definition of their processes.

    Private Cremation. The term private can be defined differently by each aftercare provider and is sometimes confused with individual. Typically, a private cremation indicates that the pet is cremated alone, with no other pets in the chamber. The ashes are then returned to the pet owner. However, the details are important to verify with your aftercare provider.

    Individual or Parted Cremation. This term usually means more than one pet is placed in the cremation chamber and cremated at the same time with some form of separation between pets such as trays, refractory bricks, or space (thus the chance of ashes comingling is a possibility). The ashes will also be returned in this case. Again, this term can be interchangeable with private cremation. So, it is important to refer to the individual crematory’s definition.

    Communal Cremation. It is the most economical option, closer to an industrial process then to a funeral service. This means that several pets will be cremated simultaneously, with the cremated remains mixed together. The remains will either be buried or spread somewhere such as a cemetery, garden or another place unique to the aftercare provider. But, unfortunately, they may also be sent to a landfill. Requesting this information beforehand can help alleviate your concerns or fears.

  • Yes, usually. Most aftercare providers offer what we call “Assisted Cremation” for owners who wish to accompany their companion to the end. In these cases, you, and anyone you wish to accompany you, will be brought to a viewing area to witness the process. This is becoming a more common practice, as many feel that witnessing is an act of closure that can advance the healing process. You may also request a visitation period prior to cremation. In this circumstance, your pet will be cleaned and placed for viewing, as with a human funeral.

  • Occasionally, small items such as a plush toy, cards, drawings, notes or photos may be allowed to accompany your pet for the cremation. However, every aftercare provider has its own rules and it should be noted that the burning of such items can alter the cremains.

  • This depends on the arrangement between your veterinarian and the aftercare providers. Some aftercare providers will only deliver a pet’s remains to the clinic (particularly if they have a working arrangement with the vet clinic). Others will deliver to your house via a courier service. Sometimes there is an additional charge to have home delivery

  • Inquire about the traceability of your pet to ensure accuracy every step of the way while it is in the aftercare provider’s care. Some aftercare providers attach a bar code or metal marker to the pet’s remains from the time it is received and throughout the cremation process. This marker is generally included in the cremated remains.

  • You usually have the option to purchase an urn on your own, or through the aftercare provider’s supplier. Again, an urn may already be included in the cremation fee. Some aftercare providers will also tell you that many household items can serve as urns.

    You can select your own urn. However, an urn may already be included with the cremation fees. Most services offer a variety of options at an additional cost.

  • Yes! There are many ways to memorialize a pet these days. It is advisable to do your research prior to your pet’s departure. It is not as stressful a time as after, and you can review your options and be prepared when the time comes. Some imaginative options include jewelry memorials, paw prints, clay paws and hair clippings as well as engraving options, such as military dog tags and glass-etched items. Trees can be planted in the name of the pet, and donations can be made to a shelter or university.

  • This is difficult to know for sure, but some pets do appear to go through behavioral changes that could

    reflect stress, anxiety, or a mourning period.

  • Yes! There are now many options available to grieving pet owners throughout North America and around the world.

    • Support Groups are popping up in numerous communities and may even be offered by your local aftercare provider, veterinary clinic, or veterinary teaching hospital.

    • Online chat rooms and hotlines are also becoming increasingly popular.

    • Certified Pet Loss Grief Counselors have been trained to help and provide support and understanding during this difficult time. Sometimes it just takes a sympathetic ear to help us move on with our mourning.

Dr Céline Leheurteux has been a veterinarian in practice in Quebec since 1999. She created EUTHABAG to help families and veterinary teams FEEL better around euthanasia. She is also dedicated in training veterinary practices around end-of-life to improve the euthanasia experience for all involved.

Adrienne is a nurse, turned entrepreneur dedicated to supporting pets and pet parents through their pet aftercare journey. Adrienne completed her BScN in Toronto and had a nursing career spanning 25 years. Adrienne is a lifelong pet lover who identified opportunities to improve the pet aftercare journey after the loss of her two senior pups in late 2019 and founded EVERMORE Compassionate Pet Aftercare in 2021.

We thank them for helping remove the mystery and stigma surrounding what happens to our beloved companions once they depart.

Disclaimer

All advice presented is not meant to replace a regular physical exam and consultation with your primary veterinarian. We always encourage you to seek medical advice from your regular veterinarian.

Céline Leheurteuxcremation, euthanasia, pet, Pet Loss