Pet Cremation: Answers to Your 3 Top Questions
By Angeline Simmons, January 17, 2025
After losing a pet, cremation can be a very comforting option. Some people may choose pet aquamation, burial, taxidermy or another memorial method. However, cremation allows you to keep your dog, cat or other animal nearby. You get to have your pet’s ashes with you in a pet urn or memory box, or turned into something memorable. In fact, some people even plan for their pet’s ashes to be buried with them when they pass away in the future.
If your pet crossed the Rainbow Bridge, you may have questions about pet cremation. Check out a few responses below, along with an infographic with some stats about cremating a pet.
How Much Does Pet Cremation Cost?
Private cat or dog cremation (where your pet is cremated alone) costs between $100 and $500, depending mainly on pet weight. A smaller animal (such as a rabbit or hamster) would be on the lower end of the spectrum.
Communal pet cremation (where your pet is cremated along with other pets) costs between $45 and $200.
A larger animal, such as a goat or a horse, will be more expensive. The United Horse Coalition quotes the cost of horse cremation at between $600 and $2,000, which is not far off from the cost of human cremation.
Reach out to your veterinarian or a pet cremation business in your community if you’d like to get a more personalized estimate of the cost of your pet’s cremation.
Is It Legal to Scatter Ashes?
The answer depends on where you’re planning to scatter your pet’s ashes. Not every state, county or other local jurisdiction allows you to scatter your pet’s ashes. For instance, New York forbids it, while Louisiana has no restrictions on it.
After that, you need to investigate the specific location where you’re spreading the ashes. Some state parks and private property owners won’t allow you to spread your pet’s ashes there, while others are open to it if you do it in certain areas.
Cremation vs. Burial for Pets: Which Is More Common?
About 80% to 90% of pet owners choose cremation after their pets pass away. About half choose individual cremation and half opt for communal cremation. Most people who don’t cremate their pets choose to bury them. However, there are some pet owners who instead prefer to use alternate memorial methods, such as taxidermy.
The ultimate choice is up to you. If you’re unsure about what type of memorial to choose for your pet, talk to your veterinarian, a local pet funeral home, a pet grief consultant or another expert.
