Would you please address postmortem options for pet owners? Is it better to cremate the pet, bury the pet in a cemetery, or simply bury the body within one’s property? In the mourning period, owners are vulnerable to just about anything.

Too often veterinarians don’t really think about this part of the dying process. But you are correct, everyone whose pet dies, either naturally or as a result of euthanasia, must make the difficult decision of how the body should be handled.

One option is cremation. Most doctors have agreements with local health officials or pet cemeteries for cremation. Either the pet can receive a group cremation (the ashes are buried with those of other pets), the owner can have a private cremation (and have the ashes returned in an urn) or the ashes can be buried in a private grave.

Alternatively, the pet’s body can be buried in a private grave. While some owners prefer to bury the pet on their property, this may be against the law, so check with your veterinarian first. In my practice, most owners choose either group or private cremation.

What can I do for my dog and cat for natural pain relief?

You don’t mention the source of pain, so I can’t give you a specific answer. However, some supplements might help your pets, depending upon the cause of their pain. If arthritis pain occurs, any good dog or cat joint supplement containing glucosamine, chondroitin, perna, or MSM (a sulfur supplement) will relieve inflammation that leads to pain and discomfort. Any specific injury may also respond to homeopathic arnica or hypericum. Omega-3 fatty acids can relieve discomfort through their anti-inflammatory actions. Various herbs may also have analgesic qualities; white willow bark, from which aspirin is derived, is one such herb.

While I applaud your desire to move to a more natural lifestyle, I would also recommend that you not avoid conventional analgesics when indicated. For example, all pets that undergo a spaying procedure should be given an analgesic both before and for a few days following this surgery to avoid severe abdominal pain. I also use herbs postoperatively to help control bleeding, pain and inflammation. Pets that receive analgesia (pain relief) recover quicker from their injuries and surgeries than those that do not.