How to Make a Pet Burial in the Backyard

It's never easy when a pet dies, but sometimes a backyard burial can help.

No one wants to think about it, but sooner or later, you may have to bury your beloved pet in your back yard. Emotionally, this can be a very healthy way for you and your family to grieve the loss of your furred, feathered, or scaled family member. This is especially true if you have children in your family. It is legal in a lot of places to bury a pet on your own property, but you should check with your locality to make certain that is the case where you live.

Instructions

1 Measure the length, width, and height of the box into which you have put your pet's remains.

2 Dig a hole in your back yard that will fit that box. Dig to a depth of 2 to 3 feet plus the height of the box to ensure that wild animals do not dig up the grave.

3 Arrange a small ceremony with any family members and friends you wish to invite. Burial ceremonies can be as involved as you wish.

4 Lower your pet's casket into the ground carefully. Ask a friend or family member to help you if the pet was especially large.

5 Shovel the dirt you removed from the hole back over the casket. Tamp it down firmly with the shovel and your feet once all the dirt is back in place.

6 Place a grave marker over the site so you always remember where it is. Flowers can be added at this time. You may even prefer to plant perennial flowers over the grave as a memorial.

Tips & Warnings

Burying your pet's favorite things with your pet can be helpful, especially to young family members who may not have dealt with death before. Ask them to help you plan the service. It will be emotionally helpful, and also a good educational experience.

If your pet has died of an infectious disease, check with your veterinarian to see about cremation. Infectious diseases, even in pets, can pose a health risk if the bodies are not cremated. Your family can then choose to keep the ashes, or to scatter them in a ceremony afterward.

If the ground is too frozen for you to bury your pet, wrap the body carefully in plastic and put it in your freezer. This works well for smaller pets, although it may not be an option for larger pets. If your larger pet dies while the ground is frozen, cremation through your veterinarian or a reputable pet cemetery may be the best option.

If you are a renter, check with the property owner to see if they will allow you to bury your pet in the backyard. While it may be legal to bury a pet in the backyard according to local statutes, it is usually not legal to bury a pet on private property if it is against the owner's wishes.

When a Pet Dies - Pet Cemetery, Burial Options

When a pet dies, the owner must decide between pet cremation or burial. Owners can hold a pet funeral, opt for a pet cemetery or a simple backyard burial.

Whether it's a cat or a dog, a horse or a goat, or a bird, reptile or other pet. the death of a pet is a traumatic and emotional experience. In fact, the grief experienced following the loss of a pet is often comparable to that which is experienced following the death of a human family member.

Fortunately for animal lovers who are grieving a pet loss, there has been a movement in recent years that has led to a mainstream recognition of how difficult it can be when a pet dies. This recognition of how emotional and painful a pet's death can be has led to a dramatic increase in the number of pet loss products and services that are now available when a pet dies or when an owner has to make the difficult decision to "put a pet to sleep."

The owner of a pet who dies will have many questions. "Should I cremate my pet? Or place opt for burial in a pet cemetery?" "Should I buy a casket or pet urn?" "What types of pet grave markers are available?"

This article will explore the pet burial options and pet loss products that are available to owners who have experienced the death of a pet.

Wakes, Dog Memorial Services and Funerals for Pets

An increasing number of funeral homes are now offering viewings for deceased pets, thereby allowing the animal's friends and loved ones to say one last "goodbye." While a formal wake for a pet at a funeral home is a more formal, expensive option, many pet owners find the viewing helpful as they grieve the pet's loss.

Many pet cemeteries offer an array of options for owners of a pet that's died, including pet funeral services, memorial services and pet burial ceremonies.

Backyard Burials for Pets vs. the Pet Cemetery

For pet owners who would like to bury their pet, there are a few options. Backyard burial for a pet is an inexpensive option that allows the grieving pet owner to keep their beloved animal close to home.

A benefit of a home pet burial is that the pet owner is free to plant a garden at the pet's burial site, or create another fitting pet memorial, free of restrictions that are often in place at a pet cemetery.

Pet cemeteries are becoming increasingly common in many areas, providing another burial option for owners who are mourning a pet loss. A pet cemetery is a more formal option that can really appeal to some pet owners. The cost can be prohibitive for some, as a pet cemetery plot can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The cost of a pet cemetery burial will vary depending on factors like the geographical region and the size of the pet. A grave plot and burial for a large pet like a horse can be comparable to a human burial in terms of cost. Most cemeteries for dogs and cats also require that pet owners place a permanent headstone or grave marker at the pet's plot, so this is an added cost that must be taken into consideration.

While more expensive than a backyard burial, a cemetery for dogs and cats can be a peaceful resting place that will always be accessible to the animal's family and friends — a major advantage over the backyard burial. One major disadvantage to burying a pet in the back yard involves the potential of leaving the pet's resting place behind if the property is sold at some point in the future; a pet cemetery is always accessible.

Cat and Dog Caskets

Pet owners can opt for a pet casket. Small, simple pet coffins are available for less than $30, while a larger, more ornate dog casket can cost well over $1,000.

Another option involves burying the pet in a more simple manner, perhaps wrapping the pet in a favorite blanket or resting the pet on his/her favorite bed. Many grieving pet owners will also opt to bury the pet with his/her favorite toys, collar and food dish, while others prefer to keep these items as a pet keepsake.

Pet Headstones and Grave Markers for Dogs, Cats and Other Animals

Pet grave markers and headstones are also available in an array of styles and sizes, ranging in price from less than $50 to several thousand dollars.

Personalized and customized pet headstones are available on the internet in a vast array of shapes, sizes and styles. Many stores that sell human grave markers and gravestones also offer a small selection of pet products as well.

Pet grave markers and headstones can include a detailed engraved image of the pet or a more simple species/breed-specific silhouette; a meaningful poem or simply the pet's name, dates of birth and death.

Related Reading on Pet Loss

For pet owners who are anticipating the death of a beloved pet, the decision of whether to euthanize a dog, cat or other animal can be extremely difficult.

Dog Aftercare Options

The care of your pet's remains after death is one of the last things you wish to think about while dealing with your grief. The shock and sorrow you feel from losing a pet is difficult to bear. However, after the death of your dog, there is a decision you will need to make right away. "Aftercare" refers to how you would like your dog's remains handled. As difficult as this may be to address, it is something you must do.

If your dog's body is at your veterinarian's office, they might be willing to hold the body for a day or two while you make the decision. However, in some cases, there is not a way to store your dog's body and a decision must be made right away. After the handling of your pet's remains, you may also wish to have a small funeral or memorial service to say goodbye to your dear companion. Here are common aftercare options for your pet's remains:

What Should I Do If My Dog Dies at Home

Losing your beloved dog is difficult in any situation. However, if your pet dies at the veterinarian's office, they can help handle the remains for you. If your dog dies suddenly at home, you will need to take certain steps and make a few decisions right away.

Call for HelpThis is a difficult time, and it's probably best if you don't have to be alone (though some people may prefer to be alone). If possible, call a close friend or family member that can help you deal practically with your pet's remains and offer emotional support. If you do not think you will physically and/or emotionally be able to handle your pet's body, choose someone than likely can.

Contact Your VeterinarianIf it is during normal business hours, your vet's office can help talk you through the steps. They may also have a way of getting you in touch with someone who can pick up your pet's body (like a pet crematory or mobile vet service). In some cases, your vet's office may be able to store your pet's body for a day or two while you make a decision about aftercare arrangements. Your vet's office should also be able to put you in contact with a local company, as most vets have a relationship with at least one local pet cremation/aftercare business.

How Owning a Dog Extends Your Life

Human interactions have a biochemical signature that is most evident in what happens between a mother and her baby. A study presented at the 12th International Conference on Human-Animal Interactions that took place this summer in Stockholm offers convincing evidence that the same biochemical process plays a role in the bond between dogs and their owners. Researchers Linda Handlin and Kerstin Uvnäs-Moberg of Sweden’s Karolinska Institute believe oxytocin is the “bonding hormone” that is released in humans and in dogs during mutual interactions. To test their theory, blood samples were taken from dogs and their owners before and during a petting session. “We had a basal blood sample, and there was nothing, and then we had the sample taken at one minute and three minutes, and you could see this beautiful peak of oxytocin,” said Uvnäs-Moberg in an interview on PBS. “The fascinating thing is, actually, that the peak level of oxytocin is similar to the one we see in breastfeeding mothers.”

New Drug Could Extend the Life of Your Dog

Dogs are great. They give us unconditional love, true companionship and endless puppy kisses, but sadly, they leave us too soon.

What if you could give your dog a drug that would extend his life and give you a little more time to enjoy him? Would you do it?

According to the Daily Mail, a team of scientists led by Dr. Bill Andrews, head of Sierra Sciences, has created a drug to protect telomeres, sections of DNA responsible for affecting the aging process, which in turn could increase the lifespan of your best friend.

Andrews and his team did not start out looking for a way for dogs to live longer – in fact, they were looking for a way to cure aging and help humans live longer.

Five Things You Can Do to Extend Your Dog's Life

We all want to keep our pets with us as long as possible, which is why we need to give them a certain level of care. Most dogs, depending on size, can live ten to fifteen years if they are in good shape mentally and physically. Here are some things that you can do to extend — and improve the quality of — your dog's life.

1. Maintain your dog's teeth: Tooth decay is a very common, yet dangerous health problem for dogs. This is because tooth decay not only creates dental problems, but it can cause infections throughout the body, especially in the heart and kidneys.

Most dogs are not going to have picture perfect teeth or fresh breath like a person, but their teeth and gums should be reasonably clean. You can buy a special kit to brush a dog's teeth which includes a small brush and toothpaste.

Add Years To Your Dog's Life

Sporty, Baby, Bertha, Gracie, and 44 other Labrador retrievers may hold the secret to helping your dog live a longer, healthier life.

In the first lifelong canine diet-restriction study, researchers discovered that Labrador retrievers fed 25% less food than their siblings in a control group had a median life span of nearly 2 years longer. The conclusion among participating scientists: Less food in the bowl adds more—and healthier—years to dogs' lives.

Researchers at the Purina Pet Institute in St. Louis, in collaboration with scientists from several major universities, published results of this 14-year study that shows that a dog's median life span can potentially be extended by 15% when the dog is kept to its ideal body condition by carefully monitoring food intake.

"We all know that obesity, whether human or canine, is bad for health," says Dennis F. Lawler, DVM, a veterinary scientist who, along with principal investigator Richard D. Kealy, PhD, directed the Purina Lifespan study. "What's exciting about this study is that, for the first time, we have shown scientifically that by simply feeding to maintain the ideal body condition throughout a dog's life, we can increase length of life while delaying the visible signs of aging. That's powerful stuff."

importan Ways To Extend Your Dog’s Life

Dog Years. We all know the expression, most of us know the maths – 1 human year = 7 dog years (roughly). When you put it into a different context and say; ‘for every day you live, your dog has lived the equivalent of a full human week’ it’s quite a frightening thought. Especially when you consider how much can happen in your life and with your health over the course of a week. Never fear, we’ve come up with 50 great hints and tips to keep your dog in top-shape and hopefully keep their tails wagging deep into old age…

How To Extend Your Dog’s Life: 50 Tips to Help Your Dog Live Longer

1. Feeding raw, fresh foods on occasion can really invigorate your dog’s diet. Commercial pet foods have come along way but, like us, dogs benefit and thrive on variety.

2. Believe it or not, all supplied pet food should be fit for human consumption therefore you should look out for food which may contain unwanted by-products. By-products include intestines, which carry diseases.

3. Garlic occasionally given in your dog’s diet can improve heart condition and has some other healthy side-effects. Don’t be fooled into thinking this herb is a cure-all though. Garlic does have some very beneficial effects on health but, contrary to some opinion, it will not remove worms if your dog is infected. Instead, go to your vet and he or she will more than likely supply you with a pharmaceutical solution, which will clear your dog of worms.

4. Valerian Root is wonderful for animals that are stressed or hyperactive. This herb is naturally found in pastures and animals love it.

5. Tooth decay and diseased gums produce bacteria that get into the animal’s bloodstream. It can result in problems to any of their organs but in particular, the valves in the animal’s heart can be damaged. Kidneys are also very vulnerable and this could be one of the major killers of older dogs. Don’t use human toothpaste but entice your pet with the beef or chicken flavoured varies because you need to keep your dog’s teeth clean for more reasons than ‘the dog-breath issue’

6. I would never have thought of applying sunscreen to a dog, but pale or white dogs are very susceptible to skin cancer. A quick smear of sunscreen on the vulnerable areas; tips of ears and nose, could be a very simple way of saving your animal’s life.

7. The health of a dog is based on a lot of factors including genetics, exercise, and regular checkups, to name a few. But the number one factor affecting the health of a dog is the kind of food that it consumes. There are many types of commercial dog foods and diets on the market today, from BARF (bones and raw food), to steam-extruded products. Get to know your pet food labels, read the label and avoid products with chemicals and unnatural additives. You will likely avoid allergic reactions and skin problems in your dog.

8. Health begins in the kitchen. I believe the single most important thing you can do, after loving them, is to feed your companion animals fresh, wholesome, human grade, preservative free foods daily. Feeding companion animals an all natural diet will, most certainly, improve their overall health and increase their longevity.

9. Dogs like to play all types of games and have loads of energy to burn off. It’s important though that your dog learns to calm down and “chill out” as much as how to burn off energy. Otherwise they get stressed with the constant anticipation and over excitement. So, teach your dog the equivalent to sitting down and having a cup of tea by putting a command on quiet and relaxing times.

10. A fit dog lives longer. Obesity amongst pet dogs is a growing problem. If a dog is overweight it puts extra strain on various parts of the body and may well shorten the dog’s life.

LIFE HISTORY OF A DOG

The normal life span of a small or medium-size dog is about 15 years. A large dog lives only about ten years, however. On the average, a ten-month-old dog is sexually mature. Smaller bitches go into their first heat (become responsive to their first mating) at an earlier age than larger ones.

Fetal puppies grow in their mother's womb before they are whelped, or born. Whelping is usually a painless task. After each of her litter is whelped, she licks the pup as dry as she can. The newborn, hungry puppies snuggle by the teats on the bitch's underside, where she nurses them.

The puppies draw nourishing milk from their mother until they are weaned, or given food more solid than milk to eat. The time of weaning depends on the size of the litter and the amount of milk in the bitch. Sometimes it occurs as early as three weeks. Puppies should not be weaned, however, any later than their seventh week.