TW - advice needed on laying cat to rest

[PotassiumPermanganate]

Very sadly our 17 month old cat died last weekend. I haven't stopped crying. Today we are picking him up from the vets to take him home and bury him in the garden. On a practical note, can anyone who's done this please advise what size hole they have made? Partner is intending to dig the hole today but I'm worried it's going to take longer than he anticipates, and that it will make the day more difficult than it is already. I have seen the advice that states 1m deep, is this about right? Sorry to bring a sad post. I'll miss my little mate so much

So sorry you're going through this. You definitely want it deep as you don't want any foxes digging him up again. How long is your partner allowing? I'd definitely dig the hole in advance but be ready to expand it depending on how he is positioned now as it could be a bit rigid or a long/wonky shape. Hugs x

Thank you @Sillysoggyspaniel I do think he could be an odd shape as the vet advised us not to see him 😔 It's just awful. I wish he was back 💔

He'll be wrapped in a blanket/towel so you can just keep him covered if you would rather. Obviously they have to freeze them but it doesn't do much for keeping them looking like you remember 💔 I bet, it's awful.

Our garden is small so when we buried them in a cardboard box we dig as deep as possible given half an hour. Then filled and put big potted plant on top to stop anything scrabbling and getting through. We did this twice and no disturbance ever happened.

So sorry for the loss of your lovely kitty. 17 is a good age. Mine only ever seem to live to around 12. Fingers crossed current ones will be here longer. X

He was only 17 months @BillieWiper Just a baby, gone too soon 😔

Oh gosh I'm so sorry, I misread it. Your poor little baby. Sending my warmest love xxx

We put ours in a cardboard box with some favourite toys and then items of clothing smelling of us.

I've buried 3 cats in my garden over the past 30 years. I have clay soil with lots of rocks and could dig 2 ft deep but no more. I wrapped them in a pillowcase. One was under grass in a place he loved to sit every summer's evening and after a time there was a dip where the ground had settled so I had to lift the turf and add more soil underneath, did that a couple of times over the first few years. The others were put in a border. Never had any problems with wild animals digging..