sad (morbid) subject

[hobsonbear]

i have to make the decision soon to have my 15 year old cat put down. i would like to bury her in my garden but i am afraid my young terrier would dig her up (he is very good at smelling and digging). as far as i know there is nothing else buried in the garden. would he do such a thing? sorry this is morbid but i have to know

h

[wolf63]

It is not morbid, everything dies. However when I got my cat put to sleep a few weeks ago I wasn't so philosophical about it. I cried my eyes out for days.

Whilst watching CSI or something like it a few weeks ago they mentioned that the reason that humans are buried under 6 foot of soil is so that other animals can't smell the bodies. Now that may be excessive for you to dig, but a good few feet down will be a good idea.

The other choice would be to have her cremated and then bury the ashes. I had George cremated, but did not take the ashes. We had enough trouble trying to work out what to do with my dad's ashes. In the end we put him in a beautiful spot at Loch Earn.

It is hard to make the decision to have a companion put to sleep, but I am sure that I made the best decision for George.

[Kimmiebear]

We recommend that you bury your pet at least 4 feet deep. If you place her in a box and a bag then your dog will probably not smell her as much and therefore would be less likely to dig.

[lia*]

if you sprinkle ammonia over the area where the cat is burried the dogs and other animals will stay away. you have to do this may be 2 to 3 times per week until you think the animal is rotted. ammonia definately keeps animals away.

[SaxyJag]

If you have the money to spend, you could have a proper coffin made up - most undertakers would do this for you. As Wolf says, bury her deep and there shouldn't be a problem.

Incidently, a friend of mine who died a few years ago had opted for a woodland burial, with cardboard coffin and everything. A mutual colleague attended the burial and was astonished to see that the grave was only half as deep as that in a 'normal' burial. This is because, apparently, a shallower grave allows more oxygen and so speeds up the decomposition process.

[WendyS]

Yes, I do think your cat will have to be buried quite deeply. Somebody we know buried a cat in a shallow grave, around 18 inches deep and sadly it was dug up within 24 hours by a local fox who mutilated the corpse probably because it was too big to carry away. . Foxes apparently, as well as dogs, have a very strong sense of smell. I think you would have to wrap the corpse in a plastic bag with some air freshener inside to disguis the smell although the plastic bag will probably take ages to decompose.

[bookermel]

I would avoid plastic if possible and opt instead for a strong cardboard box (not too big) or a lidded wicker basket. Then bury at 3 to 4 feet. And plant a nice bushy plant on the site this will discourage the dog from digging and will be a nice reminder. If you dont want to plant directly into the ground, you could put down some large stones or a potted plant or both.

[maggie01]

When I buried my cat in the garden, I put a round paving slab on the top. This was too heavy for anything to move to dig up my cat.

[cat woman]

Hi hobsonbear, sorry to learn about your imminent decision of saying goodbye to your dear puss, when our cats have passed away my husband has buried them 3ft down and like "Maggie01" we have always laid a flag stone on top. We dont have a dog or any access that a dog could get into our garden as we are so enclosed. xxx

[hobsonbear]

many thanks to all who answered. she had fluid in a lung and a tumour pressing on her windpipe so was having trouble breathing. i couldn't bear her having operations at her age so it was the kindest thing was to have her put to sleep, she had a lovely life and 3 kittens so in a way she lives on. i have cried a lot but feel happy with this decision as she is at peace now. the other pets saw her afterwards and seem to understand. she is buried in my garden now and hopefully won't be disturbed. thank you for your kind thoughts. (crying again now!)

h

[cat woman]

Dear hobsonbear, I so very sorry, my thoughts are with you at this very sad time. Take comfort in the fact that she had a loving home and family and a happy life.

Deepest Sympathies cat woman XXX

[druiaghtagh]

So sorry hobsonbear, only just read your post, i know how hard it is to let a loved companion animal go, my Lurcher Nina died at the age of 13 from cancer, passed away at home on the morning we were due to take her to vets to be put to sleep, broke my heart, we had her cremated and ashes were put in a lovely box, buried her in our garden