Aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation, is an aftercare option that uses water, gentle heat, and an alkaline solution to accelerate the natural process that occurs when a body decomposes. At the end of the process, the pet’s mineral remains are dried and processed into a fine powder that can be returned to the family, much like cremated remains after traditional flame cremation.

Veterinarian Perspective

Families making end-of-life decisions for a pet are increasingly encountering the term “”aquamation”” when considering aftercare.

Unlike flame cremation, aquamation does not use fire. The pet’s body is placed in a specialized vessel containing mostly water along with an alkaline solution. Controlled temperature and circulation accelerate the breakdown of soft tissues through a process called alkaline hydrolysis.

What remains afterward is primarily the mineral portion of the bones. These remains are carefully dried and processed before being returned to the family when individual aquamation has been selected.
Families can generally memorialize aquamated remains in many of the same ways they would memorialize ashes from flame cremation. They may be kept in an urn, divided among family members, buried, scattered where appropriate, or incorporated into certain memorial jewelry, glass, art, or other keepsakes.

Although people commonly refer to the returned material as “ashes,” aquamation does not actually produce ash because nothing is burned. Terms such as cremated remains, aquamated remains, or cremains may still be used conversationally.

Clinical Takeaway: Aquamation is a flame-free form of pet aftercare that uses alkaline hydrolysis rather than combustion. Families can receive their pet’s processed mineral remains afterward and keep or memorialize them in many of the same ways as remains returned after traditional cremation.

Cats stop eating for many reasons, including nausea, pain, dental disease, kidney disease, cancer, constipation, medication effects, stress, or progression of serious illness. Because cats can develop additional medical problems when they don’t eat, a significant change in appetite should be discussed promptly with a veterinarian rather than assumed to be a normal part of aging. Read the rest of this entry »

Pain becomes too much when it cannot be adequately controlled or consistently prevents a pet from resting, moving, eating, interacting, or enjoying normal activities. The presence of pain does not necessarily mean a pet has poor quality of life. The important question is whether that pain can be successfully managed while preserving comfort and enjoyment. Read the rest of this entry »

Dogs often show suffering through changes in behavior rather than obvious signs of pain. Difficulty walking or resting comfortably, excessive panting, appetite changes, withdrawal, anxiety, disrupted sleep, and loss of interest in favorite activities can all signal declining quality of life. A veterinarian can help determine which problems are treatable and how well your dog’s comfort can be maintained. Read the rest of this entry »