Animal digging up pet grave

Our cat died back in March, and we buried him in our back yard. The ground was still partially frozen, so we could only bury him about 2 feet down. In the past few weeks, something keeps digging around his grave. We can't figure out why it started happening after 6 months. This morning it was dug up, and I went up, and it was actually down to our cat. I could see his decmoposed body (there is still some fur there). Does anybody know how to keep animals away from his grave? I keep covering it, and we put stones in the ground over him, but they keep digging there. I'm not sure what kind of animal it is.

First of all, I am very sorry that you lost your baby. I have put very large stones over their graves. If you struggle to lift it, an animal will have the same difficulty.

I'm so sorry... this must be very upsetting. You might place some chickenwire or "carpenter's cloth" across the spot and stake it down with those helical stakes.

I agree with carol, once you've staked the cloth or wire down you can just cover it back over with the dirt/bark and it won't look horrible. I had the same worries about Jasmine as we found out that day that clay isnt very far down and it took forever, she is probably only 2 feet or even less there. Luckily we haven't spotted any foxes here, only at our other house. I hope you find a solution soon

A nice stepping stone would be a good cover and grave stone.

If you can stomach it, bury you cat deeper. The body is too close the surface for that size of the animal, so other potential animals will smell it as food.

Otherwise I would purchase a semi-large/mostly heavy planter and fill it with dirt and create a memorial on top of the grave.

im sorry you lost your cat and im even more sorry you had to see his body after that animal dug it up. when we buried our cat smokey a few years back, we wrapped him in a bath towel and then a plastic trash bag just because we were worried about the depth of his grave and if any other animals would try to dig him up.. they havent. the suggestions here are great, but if you cant do any of that and redigging his grave is the only option, also wrap him in a trash bag.

A metal box inside a trash bag... then put a stepping stone on top. Or you could fill in the hole with concrete, like they do with human vaults... that'd give you a chance to write a bit of a memorial on the concrete, too.

Im sorry for your loss, and to have this happening must be very distressing too.

I think the best advice I can offer is digging a deeper grave, or pouring something like vinegar or orange juice on top of the current one, because a lot of animals dont like the taste, I believe.

Today has been over four months since our beloved kitty "Peanut" had to be put to sleep.

His kidneys blocked and there was nothing that could be done except to put him out of

his pain.

We loved Peanut so very much and my husband brought him home and buried him. He

put him in a plastic bag wrapped it around and around him. He buried him quite deep

even though it was cold weather at the time. 

In the past couple of days, something has dug Peanut up and ate all of him but one

leg and his skull.

I am wondering if it is the fox's in our area that have been getting thicker and thicker

and if the medicine went into the part they ate and if it will kill them?

I am so upset to think he was dug up and ate up by other animals.

We suspect fox's but what doesn't make sense to me is that a couple of days ago

a neighbor found a deer that had died in our area close by. One would think they

would go and eat that not dig up a four month old cat corpse.

Although I am sick about my kitty, somehow, I hope what the veterinarian put the

kitty down with will bring revenge to whatever did this.

I am that angry with them for doing this. They wouldn't even let my kitty at peace

in his grave.

My poor baby kitty.

Debra

Im so sorry you lost your kitty.  Its too late to do now, but the best thing to do it to put your pet in a thick contractor garbage bag and tie it shut before burying.  This helps contain their smell, so that animals catch smell them, which is why they dig them up.  My parents have several dogs and cats who have passed over the years, and this is how they bury them.  They live on a farm, so there are a lot of foxes and coyotees and nothing messes with the graves.   In your situation, I would lay down some plastic, tack down wire mesh, put more dirt, then rocks.  Im not sure if it would help, but you may want to consider putting some activated charcoal down to help absorb any smell.  It comes in cartons in the fish supply area and can be bought at walmart.  Although you probably cant smell, animals have a very good sense of smell, and are digging because them smell him, and unfortunately probably want to eat.

My lovely cat died two weeks ago, and we (naively!) buried him in a flower bed relatively shallow, not wrapped in anything. A couple of nights ago a fox dug him up and left him at the bottom of the garden. Needless to say, it was horrendous to see and deal with, as I had him for 18 years and loved him very much.

So I've reburied him taking some new precautions - I buried him a good few feet deeper, and wrapped him in an old sheet. I put two concrete slabs underground at different layers, then one on top. And for now (while the fox is still about), I've put chicken wire held down by bricks over the site. (And a pretty flowerpot on top!) I hope this is enough. Apparently it's very normal for the fox to come back and dig up the site repeatedly. No sign of it yet, so I'm hoping that these precautions are enough.

If anyone is reading this who hasn't buried their pet yet, I'd really recommend taking precautions, as it's such a horrible thing to have to deal with if it happens.

cookie45 said:

 
My lovely cat died two weeks ago, and we (naively!) buried him in a flower bed relatively shallow, not wrapped in anything. A couple of nights ago a fox dug him up and left him at the bottom of the garden. Needless to say, it was horrendous to see and deal with, as I had him for 18 years and loved him very much.

So I've reburied him taking some new precautions - I buried him a good few feet deeper, and wrapped him in an old sheet. I put two concrete slabs underground at different layers, then one on top. And for now (while the fox is still about), I've put chicken wire held down by bricks over the site. (And a pretty flowerpot on top!) I hope this is enough. Apparently it's very normal for the fox to come back and dig up the site repeatedly. No sign of it yet, so I'm hoping that these precautions are enough.

If anyone is reading this who hasn't buried their pet yet, I'd really recommend taking precautions, as it's such a horrible thing to have to deal with if it happens.

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Hi Cookie45

I am so sorry for your loss.

We live in the woods, and have lost beloved cats, and have not had this problem.  I have to say that they were wrapped in towels, and usually put in a box as well--although a couple have not.  But yes, go fairly deep and take precautions.  This is not a nice way to be reminded of your loss.  {{{{{HUGGSS}}}}}

Welcome to the forum...

Over the years I have buried several kitties that passed away in my flower beds - when I do I only dig about 2 ft but I first put a layer of clean cat litter on the bottom - wrap kitty in a rag towel - put it in - most important - surround the body with MOTHBALLS - and then cover with more clean cat litter-then mound the dirt - I put a large square cover over the grave and cover it with dirt and it doesn't hurt to keep more mothballs around the grave for the first year. When my precious Rusty died in winter I made an above ground grave using the same method but using a frame from a wood box - in spring I buried him underground. If you have a fire pit a good distance from the house and don't mind back yard cremation - that might be a way to go in late fall or even winter -

I'm so sorry. The same thing happened to us recently. Since DH left the shovel there, we thought it was a person who did it. Then a woman from the animal rescue said it was probably coyotes. I just know our kitten was buried deep, and completely gone the next day. We saw no signs of any claw marks, anything like that. We have pets all buried all around the rock berm in our back yard and nothing has ever happened. I will have to follow the advice of others who responded to your post next time, too.

dch123 said:

Our cat died back in March, and we buried him in our back yard. The ground was still partially frozen, so we could only bury him about 2 feet down. In the past few weeks, something keeps digging around his grave. We can't figure out why it started happening after 6 months. This morning it was dug up, and I went up, and it was actually down to our cat. I could see his decmoposed body (there is still some fur there). Does anybody know how to keep animals away from his grave? I keep covering it, and we put stones in the ground over him, but they keep digging there. I'm not sure what kind of animal it is.

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Mine was raccoons try planting mint and lavender with baby & I also placed stones before covering. I'm so sorry for your loss most ppl don't realize how truly horrible raccoons can be to pets as well I had to bury 2 of my outdoor they attacked near our creek to keep them out

I live in deep woods, and don’t dare. My neighbor though has not had any trouble: he says you just dig VERY deep, mound, and add stones. I am sorry this is happening to you…sounds as if you caught it in time. For those that haven’t, my condolences.

I usually put something larger than the animal...say a pallet.. over it. Then I will put bricks (big cinder bricks) on top of that. So far, the wolves, coyotes, fox or bear have not been able to dig any up.

Sorry for your loss.

Sorry for everyone's loss. I've never lost any pets before, and my sweethearts are still relatively young at 3.x years old. I always wondered what people do with the bodies or their beloved. Would you also dig up the grave and relocate to your new home if you moved? I would think I'd always want me loved ones to be close to me, but not quite sure if people do this or is practical. Opinions appreciated. hug all.