What to do when your dog dies
Losing a dog is a real grief, and the first hours can feel unreal — full of decisions you never wanted to make. This is a gentle, practical guide to walk beside you through them. Take it slowly. There is no wrong pace.
What should I do in the first few hours after my dog dies?
Give yourself a moment first — you don't have to act immediately. When you're ready, decide on aftercare (burial or cremation) and contact your vet or a local pet cremation service; they'll guide the next steps. If it's night, most services can wait until morning. There is no rush.
If your dog passed at home, you can keep them somewhere cool and comfortable, wrapped in a favourite blanket, until you've decided. It's okay to sit with them for a while. Many people find that time matters.
Do I bury my dog or choose cremation?
Both are loving choices — it comes down to what feels right and what your area allows. Cremation lets you keep ashes or scatter them somewhere meaningful; home burial is possible in many places but check local rules first. Your vet or a pet cremation service can explain the options near you.
There's no "correct" decision here, only the one that feels true to you and your family. Some people decide within hours; others need a day. Both are fine.
How do I tell my children, or handle my own grief?
Be honest and gentle — with them and with yourself. Simple, true words ("she died, and it's okay to be sad") help children more than avoidance. For your own grief, know it can come in waves for weeks, and that reaching out to a pet loss support line or group is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Grief for a dog is not "less than" other grief. If it helps, there are free pet loss support hotlines and groups run by veterinary schools and humane societies — you don't have to carry it alone.
How can I keep my dog's memory close?
Small, tangible things help: a paw print, a favourite collar kept somewhere you'll see it, a photo you love in a frame, or a tree planted in their name. Some people write down a few memories while they're fresh. There's no timeline — do these when, and if, you feel ready.
Keeping a memory isn't about "moving on." It's about carrying them with you gently, in a way that feels like them. If you'd like more ideas, our guide to pet memorial ideas gathers a few gentle ones.