What to do when your pet dies at home
Practical, gentle steps for the first hours after your pet dies at home in Sydney, from caring for their body to choosing cremation or burial.
Losing a pet at home is hard, and it often happens when you least expect it. There is no need to rush. The steps below are here for when you feel ready.
Take a moment
If your pet has just died, it is fine to sit with them for a while. Many people find it helps to say goodbye before anything else happens. If you are not sure your pet has passed away, look for breathing and listen for a heartbeat, and call your vet if you are unsure.
Lay them down gently
Within a few hours your pet’s body will begin to stiffen, so it helps to settle them early:
- Lay your pet on their side on a towel or blanket. Their body may release fluids, which is normal.
- Gently tuck their legs towards their body, as if they were asleep.
- Close their eyes if you can. It is common for them to stay slightly open.
Keep them cool
Move your pet to the coolest room in the house, out of direct sunlight. On a hot Sydney day, turn on the air conditioning or a fan. Keeping your pet cool matters most if collection will be more than a few hours away.
Let other pets say goodbye
Some families let other pets in the home see and sniff their companion. It is your choice, and there is no right or wrong answer.
Decide on aftercare
You have three main options:
- Individual cremation. Your pet is cremated alone and the ashes come back to you. See individual cremation.
- Communal cremation. Your pet is cremated with other pets and the ashes are scattered in a garden of remembrance. See communal cremation.
- Burial at home. Rules are set by your local council and depend on your property, so check with your council first. Think too about whether you might move house one day.
If you are unsure, our guide to choosing between individual and communal cremation may help.
Update your pet’s registration
If your cat or dog was registered on the NSW Pet Registry, update their record to show that they have died. You can do this online. It also stops reminder letters arriving later.
Call us when you are ready
We collect from homes across Sydney 24 hours a day, usually within 1–2 hours. You do not need to have every answer before you call: we will talk you through the options and the price first.