How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Decompose? (Above Ground Or Buried) Well, Dogs are adorable. And the sad news is just like us they die. A dog can die due to old age, illness, and accidents. When your dog dies, you need to know what to do next.
There are several reasons why you should know about your dog’s dead body. Hence, we are here to brief you about how you should bury your dead dog and the decomposition process.
Hence, first of all, let us talk about some of the most important questions.
Do you know how long it takes for a buried dog to decompose?
When you bury your dog deep in the ground, it might take 6 months to 18 years to fully decompose. If the body is left above the ground, the decomposition process will be very quick. The decomposition speed depends on how deep it is, the climate, and how it is covered.
There are different factors that depict how long it takes to decompose, including:
- Type of soil
- pH level of the soil
- How deep is it buried?
- How is the climate?
- What is the temperature?
- Was the dog wrapped in a blanket or buried in a coffin?
- What is the size of the dog?
How much time does it take for a dog to decompose above ground?
It takes around 3 – 6 months for a dog to get decomposed Above ground or on the surface.
Being a human we should have empathy towards everything. You can find a dog dead on the ground and just decomposing.
This could be possible due to two reasons:
- The dog is a stray. He does not have a permanent home.
- The dog was out for a walk and had an accidental death.
In either case, you must dig deep and let that baby rest in peace there.
How long does it take for a dogy to decompose underground?
Unlike dead bodies above the ground, underground decomposition takes time. There are different factors that affect the time taken for the decomposition process.
Below are the three possible factors that influence the time of decomposition:
- Normal climate and temperature
- Buried at least three feet down the ground
- Buried in a blanket, coffin, carton box, etc.
Dog decomposition stages
According to Pet Experts and Vets there are 5 stages of decomposition in a dog’s body.
Fresh
The body gets cool and enters the rigor mortis phase in 3 – 6 hours. The blood starts to run towards the bottom of the body. The flesh and blowflies seek to feed and lay eggs on the body.
Bloat
Gases start to capture the body. The body starts to take on a bloated appearance. Fluids start to flow out of the body due to the pressure of the gases. This is the stage where you can smell the flesh from above the ground.
Active decay
The body starts to reduce in size with active decay. Maggots start feeding on the body. Once this phase is over, maggots leave the dead body.
Advanced decay
There is nothing left except bones and hair till this phase. The grass around the dead body also dies
Dry remains
All that is left now is the remains including cartilage, bones, and dried skin.
How much time does it take for a dead dog to smell?
It depends on different factors.
Let us talk about temperature first. If it is cold at your place and a dead dog is outside, the body will not have any smell.
In the warm climate, the smell starts spreading within 10-12 hours after. At normal temperature, the rotten smell starts spreading within 24 – 48 hours.
Keeping a dead body in the house is the worst idea. You are inviting all the deadly pests and flies that can cause serious problems to you and your family.
Why you shouldn’t bury your dog in your backyard?
You may think burning your beloved dog in your backyard is the best way to keep him close to you. But it is not as safe as you think(for your family and other animals).
Dogs who die due to medical problems are given a strong anesthetic agent to let them rest in peace.
Hence, this drug stays in the soil for years after you bury your dog. If any animal scavenges the ground, he can get poisoned by the drug.
How deep should you bury a dog?
The ideal depth to bury a dog is two feet. If you are buying him in a land with 90% of sand, then you will have to increase the depth.
If you want to bury your doggy in the right way then you must-
- Dig deep to prevent it from other animals
- Find the suitable material to cover the body
- Be careful with the underground pipes
- Fill the op 3-4 inches with small stones
Do dogs go to heaven?
Dogs are God’s wonderful creations. The love and companionship they give is something very beautiful. They dedicate their whole life to their owners.
Dogs make us understand the true meaning of unconditional love. Hence, they definitely go to heaven. And if you want to meet your dog there, you should do such deeds that will help you reach heaven.
Final words
You see, there are different answers to the question of how long does it take for a buried dog to decompose. There are many factors that affect the period of decomposition.
If your dog passes away, I would say you should take the help of experienced people in the pet cemetery. They know how to do it right.
But if you wish to do it on your own, you can follow our article.
We hope you liked the article. Stay tuned for more interesting and informative articles. Thank you.
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