The idea of losing your pet is heartbreaking. Knowing what happens to your pet’s body can sometimes be a difficult thing to face. We’re going to explain what pet cremation ashes look like to help you better understand what comes after cremation.
What Do Pet Cremation Ashes Look Like?
Cremated pet ashes look like dust, sand, or fine gravel in off-white, gray, or brownish color. Whether you’re using traditional fire cremation or water cremation, the final product of these processes are bones that are then turned to ash. Depending on the pet’s weight, body mass, and cremation process used, the texture can differ, with some slightly coarser or finer.
For some people, the idea of reducing a pet’s body into ashes prevents them from considering cremation. However, knowing what to expect can help you understand the process.
What Color Are Pet Ashes After Cremation?
The color of cremated ashes can range from dark gray to white or off white, with some pigments of red, yellow, or orange. This variation mostly depends on the cremation method that was performed. Different methods of cremation break down organic matter at varying speeds and temperature levels.
- Dark Gray: Usually darker color ashes indicate that fire cremation was used. Organic matter like bones will carbonize at a high temperature. This high temperature is enough to turn organic components black, gray, or brown. Once the chamber hits a certain temperature, the fragments become darker.
- Light gray or white: Water cremation or Aquamation produces ashes that are white or light gray. Because there is no flame used, and only gentle water flow, bones tend to remain their natural color.
- Red, yellow, or orange pigments: You may notice other colors, such as red, yellow, or orange pigments. This is mainly because there are varying trace minerals and organic compounds in an animal’s bone fragments due to diet or other factors.
What Is the Texture of Pet Ashes?
Depending on the breed and size of the animal and the method used for cremation, ashes may appear more coarse. However, most cremation facilities grind the ashes into finer sand-like particles so they can easily be scattered.
What Do Pet Cremation Ashes Consist Of?
- Cremated pet ashes consist of pulverized bones. During cremation, the bones will become brittle, making it easy to grind them into ashes.
- Microchips and other foreign materials: With fire cremation, microchips will melt away and join the fragmented bones. With water cremation, microchips can sometimes be seen afterwards when bones are drying. A pet microchip doesn’t have moving parts or batteries, so there’s no harm in melting it or allowing it to be processed with the rest of the bone.
Bones after the gentle process of Aquamation, before grinding into ash.
What Causes Pet Ashes to Have Different Colors and Textures?
Your chosen cremation process can influence the color and texture of the ashes. This may also dictate how much ash can be retrieved.
Individual Fire Cremation
True to its name, individual cremation means your cat or dog will have its own cremation chamber. A cremation chamber uses temperatures of 1,400 to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce organic matter into dried bones.
Individual Water Cremation or Aquamation
In contrast to fire cremation, aquamation or water cremation uses a gentle stream of flowing water with potassium hydroxide to break down a pet’s body. The bones are then dried and processed into ash.
Pictured here are ashes from tradition fire cremation (top bag) and ashes from water cremation or Aquamation (bottom bag)
Ashes from aquamation are much more plentiful due to the absence of heat. The ashes may also look whiter or tan compared to fire cremation and usually have a softer, finer texture. This allows you collect the ashes completely to do what you want to commemorate your cherished pet, such as scattering the ashes.
Are Pet Ashes Similar to Human Ashes?
Pet ashes can look similar to human ashes because both bodies have similar organic materials, such as water, carbon, and bone. Pet cremation follows the same process as human cremation, so the heat can also turn the bone fragments into dark colors.
Related Questions
What Will Pet Ashes Look Like in Memorial Items?
Because of the unique chemical composition of pet remains, you may notice coarse or fine sand in memorial items such as globes or paperweights. The fine texture and subtle color let you easily add ashes to various memorial items.
How Do I Know if the Pet Ashes Are Real?
Cremation facilities use a labeling system to identify your pet. This label shows your pet’s name, the owner’s name, body measurements, and weight, as well as the time of cremation, so you’ll be sure to have your pet’s ashes returned to you.
How Much Pet Ashes Will I Get?
The amount of ashes you’ll receive will depend on your pet’s size and weight. For instance, smaller dogs and cats will have significantly fewer cremains than larger animals like dogs. For context, large urns can fit ashes for pets weighing up to 105 pounds.
Conclusion
Losing pets can be difficult, no matter how much you prepare for it. Paws Into Grace specializes in dignified cremation services where pet bodies are handled carefully. Whether you choose individual or communal cremation, know it’s a fitting way to honor your pet’s life.
