If your cat has just died at home, you may be searching for answers while trying to process the loss of a companion who may have been part of your family for many years.
What do I do with my cat's body? Who do I call? Do I need to take my cat to the veterinarian? How soon do I need to make arrangements? Where can I find cat cremation near me?
The first thing to know is that you have options.
You do not necessarily have to take your cat to a veterinary hospital, and you do not have to use the cremation provider recommended by your veterinarian.
You can choose your cat's aftercare provider yourself.
And today, families also have an alternative to traditional flame cremation: Cremation by Water, also known as Aquamation.
What Should I Do Immediately After My Cat Dies at Home?
If you are certain your cat has passed away, you generally do not need to make every decision immediately.
Give yourself time to say goodbye.
If you are unsure whether your cat has passed away, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital for guidance.
When you are ready to begin making aftercare arrangements, you can contact a pet crematory directly.
Tell them your cat has passed away at home, where you are located, and that you need help understanding what happens next.
How Should I Care for My Cat Until Cremation?
If there will be a short period before your cat can be transported to an aftercare provider, keep your cat in a cool location.
You may gently wrap your cat in a favorite blanket or towel and place them in a comfortable, secure position.
If arrangements will be delayed for a longer period, ask your veterinarian or pet aftercare provider for specific guidance based on how long your cat will remain at home.
The most important thing is not to feel as though you have to figure everything out alone.
A pet aftercare provider can walk you through the next steps.
Do I Have to Take My Cat to the Veterinarian After They Die?
Not necessarily.
Many families assume their veterinarian must handle their cat's aftercare.
Veterinary hospitals frequently arrange cremation for their clients, but you are allowed to choose your own pet crematory and contact that provider directly.
This gives you an opportunity to understand exactly where your cat will go, who will care for them, what process will be used, how they will be identified, and when their remains will be returned.
Can I Have My Cat Picked Up From My Home?
Transportation options depend on the pet aftercare provider and your location.
When contacting a crematory, ask whether transportation from your home is available.
If your cat passes away at a veterinary clinic, you may also be able to arrange for your chosen pet aftercare provider to receive or transport your cat rather than automatically using the clinic's regular cremation provider.
Ask questions before assuming you have only one option.
What Are My Cremation Options for My Cat?
Traditionally, families have been offered flame cremation.
Today there is another choice.
Cremation by Water uses water, gentle heat, circulation, and alkalinity rather than fire.
The process is also known as Aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis.
It accelerates the natural decomposition process that occurs when a body is returned to the earth through burial.
For cat owners who are uncomfortable with the thought of their companion being exposed to extreme heat and flame, learning about Aquamation can completely change the decision they make.
Can Cats Be Aquamated?
Yes.
Cats can receive Cremation by Water.
Aquamation is available for cats of different breeds, ages, and sizes.
Whether your companion was a Siamese, Maine Coon, Persian, Ragdoll, Bengal, American Shorthair, or a wonderful mixed-breed cat who simply found their way into your life, Cremation by Water can provide an alternative to flame cremation.
Aquamation vs. Flame Cremation for Cats: What's the Difference?
The fundamental difference is simple:
Traditional cremation uses fire. Aquamation uses water.
Traditional flame cremation relies on extremely high temperatures and combustion.
Aquamation uses water, gentle heat, circulation, and alkalinity.
At Soothing Streams Pet Services, the water used during the process is heated to approximately 204°F, compared with temperatures approaching approximately 2,000°F during traditional flame cremation.
There is no burning involved in Aquamation.
What Will My Cat's Ashes Look Like After Aquamation?
Although commonly called ashes, what families receive after either process is primarily processed mineral bone.
Aquamation generally produces remains that are lighter and more naturally bone-colored.
Traditional flame cremation may produce darker or grayer remains because the bones have been exposed to extreme heat and combustion.
For many cat owners, the lighter appearance of the remains is one of the noticeable differences between water and flame cremation.
Will I Receive More of My Cat's Remains With Aquamation?
You may.
Cremation by Water can allow families to receive up to approximately 20% more of their pet's mineral remains back compared with traditional flame cremation.
For families who intend to keep their cat's remains in an urn, scatter them somewhere meaningful, or incorporate a portion into memorial keepsakes, receiving more of their companion's remains may be meaningful.
Can I Have My Cat Privately Aquamated?
Yes.
Families who want their cat's individual remains returned should ask about private Aquamation.
When comparing providers, ask specifically what "private" means.
You should understand how your cat will be identified throughout the process and how the provider ensures that the mineral remains returned to you are your companion's.
Do not be afraid to ask detailed questions.
You are entrusting someone with a member of your family.
How Much Does Cat Cremation Cost?
Cat cremation costs can vary depending on the provider, your cat's weight, whether you choose private or communal aftercare, transportation, and any memorial keepsakes you select.
When searching for cat cremation cost near me, compare the complete service rather than simply the advertised starting price.
Ask what is included.
Does the price include private aftercare?
Are the remains returned?
What are they returned in?
Is transportation included?
Are memorial products additional?
Understanding the complete price allows you to make a better comparison between providers.
What Memorial Keepsakes Are Available for My Cat?
Families may choose different ways to memorialize their cat.
Depending on the provider, options may include:
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Memorial urns
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Clay paw impressions
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Ink paw prints
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Ink nose prints
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Tufts of fur
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Other personalized memorial items
You do not have to decide immediately what you will eventually do with your cat's remains.
Some families keep them in an urn permanently. Others eventually scatter them somewhere meaningful.
There is no single correct way to remember your companion.
Where Can I Find Cat Cremation Near Me?
If you're searching for cat cremation near me, cat Aquamation near me, pet cremation near me, or cat cremation in Atlanta, Soothing Streams Pet Services provides Cremation by Water from our location in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
We serve families throughout Metro Atlanta and surrounding communities, including Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Duluth, Buford, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Atlanta, and surrounding areas.
Pet owners can contact Soothing Streams directly.
You do not have to arrange your cat's aftercare through a veterinary hospital.
What If My Cat Just Died and I Don't Know Who to Call?
Start with one phone call.
Tell us that your cat has passed away, where you are located, and approximately how much your cat weighs.
We'll explain the available options and help you understand what happens next.
Most people have never had to arrange pet aftercare themselves.
You aren't expected to already know how it works.
You Have a Choice for Your Cat's Aftercare
Up until now, you may have believed that when a cat dies, the choices are burial or traditional flame cremation.
Unless someone tells you otherwise, how would you know there is another option?
Today, families can choose Cremation by Water.
Water instead of fire.
A process using approximately 204°F water rather than the extreme temperatures associated with traditional flame cremation.
Lighter, naturally bone-colored mineral remains.
And potentially up to approximately 20% more of your cat's mineral remains returned.
Knowing these differences allows you to make the choice that feels right for your companion.
Gentle Cremation by Water
Soothing Streams Pet Services specializes in Cremation by Water for pets, also known as Aquamation.
From our Lawrenceville, Georgia location, we serve cat owners throughout Metro Atlanta who are looking for an alternative to traditional flame cremation.
If your cat has died at home and you're searching for cat cremation near me, contact Soothing Streams directly.
We'll help you understand what happens next.
Flame cremation is not the only option.
Unless someone tells you, you may never know.