How deep is a pet grave?

How deep should the hole be? The rule of thumb is to have at least 3 feet of dirt covering the top of the body. For a large dog, a 4 foot deep hole should suffice. Too shallow a grave will allow animals to dig up the remains.


Is 2 feet deep enough to bury a dog?

Specific Burial Guidelines:

The site where the animal is to be buried must be excavated to a depth that is large enough to contain the dead animal, as well as allow for a cover depth of 2-3 feet. Additionally, the burial site must be in an area that will not allow for feral or wild animals to dig up the buried animal.

How deep does a grave need to be for a cat?

Dig a hole at least three feet deep.

You want to make sure the hole is deep enough that your cat's body will not be targeted by predators. Make sure to dig the hole wide enough that you can place your cat's coffin into the ground.


Is 2 feet deep enough to bury a rabbit?

Dig a grave for your rabbit. You may get away with two feet for this, but three or four feet is advisable. If the hole is not deep enough, dogs, cats or wild predators could dig it up.

Will a buried dog smell?

It's not easy and can even give off an unpleasant smell.

The process begins with digging up an area in your yard where you will bury them. Needless to say, this isn't always easy. On top of this, if the remains is only buried superficially, it will give off an unpleasant odour in the air as the body decomposes.


Dog Burials 101



How do you safely bury a pet?

Backyard Burial Tip: When burying a pet, don't do so in a shallow grave. Be sure to have at least two feet of soil on top of the body. You want the grave deep enough so that other animals cannot smell the pet's scent. It is natural for other animals to dig into the grave if the scent is strong.

Can I buried my cat in my backyard?

There are no national laws regarding pet burial. In most cases, however, if you have lost a beloved companion animal and want to bury your pet yourself at home or on your property, you will avoid any legal ramifications as long as you take certain precautions first.

Can a pet be buried with a human?

In California, it is also illegal to bury a pet in a human cemetery. Although many people ask that their beloved pet's cremains be placed inside their casket.


Should I bury my cat in a plastic bag?

If you choose to bury your pet at home, put the body in a heavy-duty plastic bag, encase it in a secure receptacle such as a wood or metal box, and bury it at least three feet deep. This helps prevent other animals from being attracted by the scent and digging at the grave site.

How many hours should a dog be buried?

How long can you wait to bury a dog? It is a good idea to wait 2-3 hours after death before burying your pet, to be sure of their demise. Once rigor mortis has set in you can go ahead with the burial. Sometimes the burial can't take place right away.

Is it OK to bury a dog in the yard?

Why the backyard isn't best. Backyard burial may seem like the easiest way to respectfully take care of your pet's remains. Unfortunately, it can be dangerous for other pets and wildlife.


How long after death should a dog be buried?

Legality. How soon do you have to bury your deceased pet? Most states will give a pet owner 24 to 48 hours after the pet passes before they have to legally bury or cremate the remains.

Should you use lime when burying a pet?

So, while lime likely won't cause your dog to become seriously ill, it's not a good idea to spread pellets and then let your dog run free. Lime dust, in any form, may cause lung, skin and eye irritation, and it should be fully integrated into the soil before anyone — human or animal should use the lawn.

Is it better to cremate or bury your cat?

This is simply a preference of the family and there's no right or wrong choice. Over ninety percent of pets are cremated and less than ten percent are buried. This cremation rate is significantly higher than the cremation rate of people - about half of people are cremated.


How soon should you bury a pet?

Take action within a day.

The body will start to decompose fairly quickly, usually within a day, so you want to bury the body as soon as possible. If you need to keep the body in your home, you can take a few steps to keep it from decomposing.

What happens to pets when you bury them?

Environmental Contamination. A decomposing pet can cause bacterial contamination in the soil it touches. That contamination then seeps into the groundwater, which can spread it to other areas. If other humans or animals come into contact with the contaminated soil or water, they could become seriously ill.

Do dogs know their owner is buried?

So unless a corpse is embalmed (which, these days, they often are), a dog can tell where its owner is buried, which explains why they sometimes wait by graves for such long periods.


What happens to a dog when buried?

If your pet's remains are encased in a blanket or coffin, the decomposition process will take a bit longer. But in time, your pet's body will wither down into nothing more than bone. Any of the items you buried with him (such as blankets or a favorite toy) will likely last longer than his remains will.

How long does it take a cat to decay when buried?

In general, it can take a cat around one to three years to decompose if buried. If the cat in question is in a hot climate or tropical area, it can decompose much faster.

Can I bury my cat in a plastic container?

Choose an Appropriate Receptacle for Your Pet

First, place your pet's body in a heavy-duty plastic bag that fits his body. Next, place the bag in a wood, metal, or plastic bin. Plastic storage bins with locking lids work well.


What to do if your pet dies?

If you believe that once a pet has passed away the body is just a shell, you can call your local animal control. They usually have low cost (or no cost) services to dispose of deceased pets. You can also call your veterinarian. You will need to bring your pet to the clinic but then they can arrange for disposal.

Is My dog in Heaven waiting for me?

Yes, your dog will be waiting for you in heaven. All dogs go to heaven because dogs are good and have no malice in their heart. Your dog deserves a peaceful and happy afterlife, including you by their side. You can feel better knowing that you will reunite with your four-legged friend at the gates of heaven.

What to do with a dog's body after it dies?

Call Your Veterinarian

A vet's office will take your dog's body and either dispose of it for you or store it for you before you have a cremation or burial. They might also know of resources like a pet crematory or a mobile vet service.


Why do we put salt while burying dog?

It is not just about digging a hole in the ground, we use salt to ensure that the water in the body is dried up and sprinkle bleaching powder to prevent it from smelling.

How deep do you have to bury a dog so it doesn't smell?

When you dig your pet's grave, it should be approximately 2 feet deep in heavy soil and 3 feet deep if your soil is light or sandy.