My pet died. What do I do? A guide to coping and next steps

Contents:

• What to do in the immediate aftermath
• Afterlife care options
• Services to notify and/or cancel
• How to tell kids and others your pet died
• Grieving your pet
• Pet loss & grief FAQs

What to do when your pet dies

If your pet died at home

If you believe your pet has passed, you should firstly gently check for signs of life to ensure they are not in a deep sleep or unconscious.

Signs that confirm death include:

• No response to touch or sound
• Lack of pulse: feel for a femoral pulse on the inside of a rear leg, near their groin
• No heartbeat
• No signs of breathing: check by placing your hand on their chest to sense movement, or feel for airflow near their nose
• No blink reflex when you gently touch their eyeball

If you’re unsure or don’t feel comfortable checking for these signs, you can always call your local Greencross Vets for advice and guidance on what to do next.

Once have confirmed your pet has passed, wrap them in a blanket and place them in a cool area while you organise afterlife care.

If your pet passed peacefully with the assistance of a home euthanasia veterinary service, the experience will be closer to what occurs in a veterinary clinic.

If your pet died at the vet

If your pet passes at a veterinary clinic, the care team will support you with compassion. They’ll confirm the passing, talk you through aftercare options such as cremation or burial, and, if circumstances permit, give you the chance to say a final goodbye. They will also help handle logistics like preparing your pet’s body for the afterlife care you have chosen.

Deciding what to do with your pet’s remains

Saying goodbye is never easy, and deciding what to do with your pet’s body can feel like one of the hardest parts. There’s no single “right” choice, only what feels right for you and your family.

Here are some of the most common and meaningful options.

Burial

You may choose to bury your pet in your own garden or in a dedicated pet cemetery.

If burying at home, always check your local council’s regulations, especially if your pet was euthanised or had medications in their system at time of passing, as there may be environmental safety rules to follow.

Alternatively, you can organise to have your pet buried in a dedicated pet cemetery, like Pets Eternal in South East Queensland. Many of these cemeteries also provide memorial and funeral services for your beloved companions.

Cremation

Similar to human cremation, the process of pet cremation involves your pet’s body being carefully placed in a cremation chamber. Once cremated, your pet’s ashes are returned to you in an urn or keepsake.

You may choose to:

• Keep the ashes at home in a memorial urn
• Scatter them at a favourite location that holds memories
• Incorporate them into jewellery, glass or, or other keepsakes

Dedicated animal crematorium services such as Petrest and Pets Eternal may collect your pet’s remains from your home or veterinary clinic.

Donate their body to science

If you live near a veterinary school, you may be able to donate your pet’s body to help train future veterinarians.

Not every veterinary school offers this donation program, so it’s best to check with your local university directly or ask your vet about eligibility.

Some programs include:

• University of Melbourne’s Animal Donation Program
• University of Sydney’s Animal Donation Program
• University of Queensland’s Educational Memorial Program

Notifying services and cancelling subscriptions and memberships

Grief can make even simple tasks feel heavy. To avoid unexpected reminders, you may wish to pause or cancel services connected to your pet.

Friends for Life Membership

If you have no other pets, you may wish to change your notification settings or cancel your Petbarn Friends for Life membership.

To opt out of communications from Petbarn, fill out the form on the customer consent centre.

If you have other pets but want to stop any reminders specifically related to your late pet, you can deactivate your deceased pet’s Pet Profile by simply:

1. Opening their Pet Profile
2. Selecting “Edit Profile”
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and press “Deactivate Profile”

If you wish to delete your Friends for Life membership or need help unsubscribing from communications or deactivating your late pet’s Pet Profile, our customer team is available to help. Reach out to them via:

• Live chat on the Petbarn website or Petbarn App
• Email: info@petbarn.com.au
• Phone: 1300 655 896

Healthy Pets Plus Membership

If your pet was on a Healthy Pets Plus plan, notify the team of your pet’s passing so they can stop any renewals and future charges.

Contact the Healthy Pets Plus team via:

• Phone: 1800 738 775
• Email: info@healthypetsplus.com.au

Pet Insurance

Inform your insurer that your pet has passed to stop future payment charges or renewals. Cancellation policies and procedures may vary so visit your insurer’s website for more details.

If you have Petbarn Pet Insurance, the customer service team will be able to assist you.

• Phone: 1300 618 412
• Email: petbarn@petsure.com.au

Repeat delivery and other subscriptions

Cancel any Repeat Delivery orders through your Petbarn account by visiting the “Repeat Delivery” page on your profile and cancelling the orders you no longer need.

If you need further assistance, our customer service team can assist via chat, email or phone:

• Live chat on the Petbarn website or Petbarn App
• Email: info@petbarn.com.au
• Phone: 1300 655 896

Notify your vet, trainer, and/or groomer

If your pet passed at home, notify your vet so they can update their records and stop automated reminders of vaccines or check-ups which you no longer require, and may cause grief or sadness. The same applies to groomers or trainers who may have upcoming bookings or scheduled payments.

How to tell others your pet died

There’s no single “right” way to share the news, only the way that feels right for you. Some people tell close friends immediately; others wait until they’re ready.

You might:

• Speak with loved ones privately
• Post a tribute or cherished photos on social media
• Host a small memorial or farewell with friends and family

Whatever you choose, it’s your moment, take it at your own pace.

How to tell children a family pet died

For many children, a pet’s death may be their first experience with loss. Honesty and reassurance are key.

• Use clear, age-appropriate language: avoid phrases like “went to sleep” or “went away” to prevent confusion.
• Be open about your own emotions: showing sadness helps kids understand grief is natural.
• Involve them in rituals, like drawing pictures, writing letters, or helping with a memorial.

Ultimately, supporting your child’s emotions through this experience is paramount. If you need help guiding your child through these complex emotions, seek support from a children’s grief counsellor or other mental health services.

Allow yourself time to grieve

Grief is a natural response to losing someone you love, and pets are no exception. They’re part of our lives, our routines, and our hearts.

There’s no timeline for grief. Allow yourself to feel what you feel — sadness, anger, even relief if your pet was suffering. All emotions and feelings are valid.Talking about your pet, sharing memories, or creating a memorial can help you process the loss and celebrate their life.

If you’re struggling, reach out to grief support services or your vet for referrals. You don’t have to face it alone.

Honouring your pet’s memory

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of life’s most painful experiences, but it’s also a testament to how deeply you loved them. Whatever choices you make — burial, cremation, or memorial — do what feels right for you.

Frequently asked questions about pet loss and grief

What should I do with leftover pet food after my pet died?

If your pet’s food is unopened and purchased from Petbarn, you can return it to your nearest Petbarn store, and the team will happily refund it.

Alternatively, many local animal rescues welcome donations of unopened, in-date food.

What should I say to someone whose pet has died?

Remember that pets are family members, so treat pet loss like you would that of any other family member. Offer sincere sympathy, support and condolences. Let them know you are there to listen without dismissing the strength of their feelings. Beyond words, you could offer to accompany them to any after care appointments or keep them company at times they may be missing their pet i.e. if they did regular morning walks together.

Is losing a pet harder than losing a person?

All loss is difficult, and for many, a pet’s death feels as painful as losing a beloved friend or family member.

How soon after losing a pet should I get another?

There is no set timeline between losing a pet and getting your next one. Take the time to work through your grief, knowing everyone will be ready at a different time.

What is the rainbow bridge?

The Rainbow Bridge is a comforting image of a mythical bridge extending between the real world and the afterlife. It’s the road pets take to the afterlife; a place where they’re healthy and happy, waiting to reunite with their humans one day.

Did my pet know I loved them?

Pets feel love through care, attention and affection. Every pat, cuddle, walk, playtime and treat was an act of love from you to your pet, and a sign of how loved they were.