What To Do When Your Dog Dies

The loss of a dog is an emotional and deeply personal experience. For many of us, a dog is a family member, a companion, and a source of unconditional love. When they’re gone, the loss can leave a huge hole in our hearts.

Our guide provides steps to help you with what to do when your dog dies. Together, let’s navigate this difficult time, honor your pup’s memory, and begin to heal.

What to do when your dog dies

If you’re wondering “what are you supposed to do when your dog dies?”, here are a few steps you can take to make the process a little easier:

Contact your vet and organize how you would like your dog’s remains handled.
Take time to grieve, honor your dog’s memory, and let friends and family know of your dog’s passing.
Organize a ceremony to celebrate your dog’s life.

What do you do if your dog dies at home

The first hours after your dog’s passing can feel overwhelming. If your dog passed away at home, here are some steps to ensure their passing is handled with care and respect:

Confirming your dog’s death

Often you can tell if your dog has passed by checking their responses. Look for:

An absence of heartbeat: Place your hand on their chest to check for a pulse.
No breathing: Observe their chest for movement or place a mirror near their nose to see if it fogs with breath.
A lack of response: Call their name or gently touch them.

If you’re unsure, make sure to contact a vet to confirm the passing.

Contacting a veterinarian or professional

Reach out to your vet as soon as possible. They can guide you through the next steps and provide options for cremation or burial, helping you decide what feels right for you and your dog.

Preparing your dog’s body for transport

If your pet dies at home, you’ll need to organize the removal of your dog’s remains as soon as possible and handle them with care:

Wrap your deceased pet in a clean blanket or sheet (or ask a friend or family member to help you if you’re unable to do this yourself).
Use gloves and practice good hygiene to protect yourself.
Place your pet's body in a cool, dry place if the transport is delayed.

Options for handling your dog’s remains

Deciding how to care for your dog’s remains is a deeply personal decision. Here are some options to help you find what feels most meaningful for you and your family:

Cremation services

Having your pet cremated is a popular option for many pet owners. Reach out to a local pet crematorium to learn about their services, costs, and any memorial options they may offer, like urns or keepsakes.

Burial choices

A burial provides a physical resting place where you can visit and remember your dog. You can choose between:

A home burial: You can often bury your friend at home in your back garden. Be sure to check local regulations, as some areas restrict pet burial, especially if you don’t own the land.

When burying your dog, local authorities will often ask you to ensure the hole is deep enough to contain your dog, as well as a cover depth of 2-3 feet. Additionally, you may need to avoid burying your dog in a place that will attract other animals or near a water source.
A pet cemetery: These provide a professional burial service, often with options for grave markers. Though more costly, they offer a lasting rest place for your dog.

Donation for research or education

Some organizations, such as universities, accept pets’ remains for scientific study, helping to advance veterinary knowledge. If this feels like the right choice for you, you can search for where you can donate locally.

Coping with grief after the loss of a dog

Grieving the loss of your dog is a natural and important process. It’s okay to feel a range of emotions — what matters is giving yourself the space and support you need to heal.

Allow yourself to mourn

Feelings like sadness, guilt, or even anger are completely normal. Let yourself mourn in whatever way feels right for you at this difficult time. Whether that’s journaling, talking to someone close, or simply sitting with your emotions, it’s important to honor what you’re feeling. Healing takes time, and there’s no “right” way to grieve — just take it one step at a time.

Seek emotional support

You don’t have to go through this grief process alone. Lean on friends and family who understand the bond you had with your dog.

Explore online support groups or seek professional counseling. Many pet-specific grief resources are available to help you process your loss, such as the Blue Cross’s pet bereavement services or the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement.

Help children understand and cope with a pet loss

Your child may struggle to fully comprehend their pet's death, but open conversations can help. If they’re old enough, try to explain to them how your dog died (avoiding too much detail) and make sure to use age-appropriate language – avoid euphemisms that might confuse them (e.g. using “died” instead of “put to sleep”).

Acknowledge the special bond your child had with your dog, and encourage them to express their feelings, whether through talking, drawing, or storytelling.

If appropriate, involving your child in decisions like planning a burial or a goodbye ceremony can help them find closure. Creating a way to honor your dog, like a memory box or photo album, can also be comforting.

Memorializing and honoring your dog

Celebrating your dog’s life can bring comfort and keep their memory alive. When you’re ready, here are a few meaningful ways you may wish to honor them:

Create a lasting tribute

Plant a tree in their honor or create a special garden space dedicated to them.
Put together a photo book or keepsake box filled with their favorite toys, photos, and memories.
Share their story on online memorial platforms like the Blue Cross’s Pet Memorial Garden or Lap of Love.

Hold a farewell ceremony

A goodbye ceremony can give you and your loved ones closure. Invite those who knew and loved your dog and share stories of your furry friend.

Caring for surviving pets and preparing for the future

Wondering, “what to do when one of your two dogs have died?” Your other pets may feel the loss of their companion, here’s how you can support them and navigate the future:

Understanding your other pets’ grief

If you’ve remaining pets such as other dogs, it’s normal to ask, do dogs experience grief? Yes, just like us, pets can grieve the loss of a companion. Grieving pets may show changes such as losing appetite or energy or increased clinginess or vocalization.

To comfort your pet, do your best to maintain their routines and provide extra attention to help them adjust.

Deciding when (or if) to get another pet

The decision to adopt a new pet is unique to you. Take the time to consider your emotional readiness, time availability, and your household’s needs (including other pets in the home). There’s no “right” timeline — it’s about what feels right for you.

Struggling with the loss of a beloved pet? Make use of our Community Forum where you can share the life of your pet and exchange ways of coping with a pet loss with other TrustedHousesitter members.

What to do when your dog dies