Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Travel
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
  • Podcasts
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2020 have been announced

The top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2020 have been announced

Dr Harry meets some hero hounds

Dr Harry meets some hero hounds

8 stylish cat trees your feline will love

8 stylish cat trees your feline will love

Dr Harry visits Calgary Stampede's Chuckwagon Races

Dr Harry visits Calgary Stampede's Chuckwagon Races

{headline}

{headline}

You can now buy personalised pet wrapping paper

You can now buy personalised pet wrapping paper

The best dog harness for your pup

The best dog harness for your pup

10 of the best dog beds on the market

10 of the best dog beds on the market

{headline}

{headline}

These are the most popular names for pets in 2020

These are the most popular names for pets in 2020

How to prevent sunburn in dogs

How to prevent sunburn in dogs

The warning about artificial grass all parents need to read

The warning about artificial grass all parents need to read

Dr Harry visits the alpacas of Storybook farm

Dr Harry visits the alpacas of Storybook farm

6 air-purifying plants that are safe for pets

6 air-purifying plants that are safe for pets

Dr Harry helps a kelpie that won’t drop the ball

Dr Harry helps a kelpie that won’t drop the ball

Dr Harry visits Estella’s chooks

Dr Harry visits Estella’s chooks

  1. Home
  2. Pets

2 reasons why you shouldn't bury a pet in the backyard

Most people don’t know about either of these issues. - by Laura Barry
  • 03 Apr 2019
2 reasons why you shouldn't bury a pet in the backyard

Many seasoned pet owners know the heartbreak of losing a pet. Whether it was old age, sickness or an accident, pets are a member of the family and their loss is felt greatly. For many people, the natural thing for them to do is bury their beloved friend in the backyard. However, this can actually be a dangerous practice that can damage not only your garden, but any animals living in the vicinity.

Pets are put to sleep using a powerfully concentrated anaesthetic agent called pentobarbitol, but this drug can stay preserved in the remains of a pet for up to a year. This means that any animals (or other pets) that may scavenge around the burial site may also be poisoned by the same drug, which can result in life threatening illnesses.

For animals that have passed away due to disease, it’s important to check that the disease cannot be passed on to animals or people, even after death. While early-life vaccinations usually solve this problem, some animal diseases can be transferred to other animals after death.

dog laying a RIP stone
Getty

What are the other options?

While no one likes to think about the death of their beloved family pet, trying to navigate the options of laying your pet to rest peacefully can be very difficult during a time when your family may be grieving. With that in mind, here are some options available to pet owners.

Cremation

Most cities have crematoriums and cemeteries for pets that also cater to pet funeral services. The cost can vary depending on the size of the pet.

Science

Just like humans, pet owners can donate their pet’s remains to science. While this may not sound like a preferable option, it’s worth noting that your pet can help train the next generation of vets, aid student education and further research. Your animal, even in death, can make a vital contribution to the training of a skilled and compassionate veterinarian. Your vet can advise you. 

Burial

If you must bury your euthanised pet, it is best to do so by enclosing their remains within a container than will protect the remains from coming into contact with other animals. Many local councils also have restrictions on burying pets on residential properties, so spend some time looking into the rules in your local area.  

You might also like:

Why you should adopt a greyhound 

How you can save a life on National Pet Adoption Day 

Cats get their personality from their owners

Want to see some of Australia's most unusual pets? Watch the video below!

Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2020 have been announced

The top 10 most popular dog breeds of 2020 have been announced

Dr Harry meets some hero hounds

Dr Harry meets some hero hounds

8 stylish cat trees your feline will love

8 stylish cat trees your feline will love

Dr Harry visits Calgary Stampede's Chuckwagon Races

Dr Harry visits Calgary Stampede's Chuckwagon Races

{headline}

{headline}

You can now buy personalised pet wrapping paper

You can now buy personalised pet wrapping paper

The best dog harness for your pup

The best dog harness for your pup

10 of the best dog beds on the market

10 of the best dog beds on the market

{headline}

{headline}

These are the most popular names for pets in 2020

These are the most popular names for pets in 2020

How to prevent sunburn in dogs

How to prevent sunburn in dogs

The warning about artificial grass all parents need to read

The warning about artificial grass all parents need to read

Dr Harry visits the alpacas of Storybook farm

Dr Harry visits the alpacas of Storybook farm

6 air-purifying plants that are safe for pets

6 air-purifying plants that are safe for pets

Dr Harry helps a kelpie that won’t drop the ball

Dr Harry helps a kelpie that won’t drop the ball

Dr Harry visits Estella’s chooks

Dr Harry visits Estella’s chooks

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Instyle
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!