What to Do in the First 24 Hours After Your Pet Passes Away？

• Step 1: Confirm the Passing – The 3-Point Check

This is the first step toward finding calm. We need to peacefully confirm that your pet has passed away.

• The Goal: To verify the absence of vital signs.

• What to Do:

  1. Check for Breathing: Hold a small feather or a thin piece of tissue in front of your pet’s nostrils. Watch for several minutes to see if it moves.

  2. Check for a Heartbeat: Place your hand on the left side of your pet’s chest, just behind the front leg. Feel carefully for any movement or pulse.

  3. Check the Pupils: Partially cover your phone’s flashlight to create a dim light. Shine it from the side of the eye onto the pupil. See if the pupil constricts in reaction to the light. Do not use the full, direct flash.

• What It Means: If there is no response to all three checks, your pet has passed away peacefully. This confirmation allows us to proceed with the next steps.

Step 2: Gentle Aftercare – Cleaning and Preparing the Body

Before the body becomes stiff (usually within 3-4 hours after death), you can gently prepare your pet for a dignified farewell.

• The Goal: To create a final, peaceful memory of your pet.

• What to Do:

  • Wear gloves if you wish. Use a soft cloth dampened with warm water to gently wipe your pet’s face, body, and any soiled areas.

  • Use their favorite brush to gently groom their fur one last time.

  • Lovingly position your pet in a natural sleeping posture, perhaps one they often used.

• What It Means: This act of love ensures the last image you have of your pet is one of peace and care, a memory that can bring comfort in the future.

Step 3: Essential Preservation – The Critical Cooling Step

This is the most crucial step in pet body care after death. It slows down natural processes, giving you time to make thoughtful arrangements.

• The Goal: To temporarily preserve the body by cooling it.

• What to Do:

  • Make Ice Packs: Quickly freeze several plastic bottles filled with water.

  • Position Correctly: In the coolest part of your home, lay down a plastic bag (for protection) covered with an old towel. Place your pet on the towel. Wrap the frozen bottles in towels and place them against your pet’s abdomen and back.

• What It Means: Cooling provides a vital 24–48-hour window, allowing you to contact pet cremation services calmly, without having to rush.

Step 4: Create a Temporary Resting Place – A Final “Bed” of Love

Provide a dignified and loving temporary space for your pet.

• The Goal: To create a respectful and comforting temporary resting place.

• What to Do:

  • Find a sturdy cardboard box or use your pet’s own bed.

  • Line it with their favorite blanket or an old T-shirt that smells like you.

  • Place their most-loved toy beside them.

  • Cover them gently with a light, clean cloth or towel.

• What It Means: This ritual transforms a difficult task into an act of devotion and guardianship.

Step 5: Practical Next Steps – Photos and Planning

When you feel a moment of calm, focus on two important tasks.

• The Goal: To preserve a final memory and begin planning.

• What to Do:

  • Take a Photo: If you feel able, take a picture of your pet looking peaceful. This photo may become a priceless keepsake.

  • Contact Services: Begin looking for reputable local pet funeral services or pet crematoriums. You can call to ask about their process and options.

• What It Means: Taking these steps puts you in control, allowing you to make decisions without feeling rushed later.

Step 6: Informing the Family – A Circle of Support

Share the news in a way that brings your family together.

• The Goal: To communicate with honesty and create a support system.

• What to Do:

  • For Adults: Be direct and honest, and offer each other support.

  • For Children: Use simple, gentle, and honest language appropriate for their age.

  • For Other Pets: Allow your other pets to see and sniff the body. This can help them understand the loss and may prevent confusion or anxiety from “searching” for their friend.

• What It Means: Open communication helps everyone grieve together and strengthens your family unit during this difficult time.

Step 7: Your Turn – Self-Care and Thinking of a Memorial

You have done incredibly well. Now, it is your turn to be cared for.

• The Goal: To tend to your own needs and begin thinking about healing.

• What to Do:

  • Drink some water. Try to eat a small snack. Allow yourself to rest and cry.

  • Sit quietly with your pet and remember the happy times you shared.

  • Gently consider what feels right for a memorial: a small gathering at home, or a piece of pet memorial jewelry to keep their memory close.

• What It Means: This pause helps you transition from “crisis mode” to “healing mode.” Considering a memorial is the first step in honoring a love that continues.