When somebody loses a cat or any pet, it can be challenging for them to decide what to do with the body after. A lot of people, nowadays, are choosing to have the bodies of their pets cremated instead of burial. Clayton, MO pet cremation sites give ashes after the process of cremation has been executed. Pet owners then get to decide what to do with the cremated ashes of their departed pet. Taking into consideration the process of cremation, where the body is placed inside the crematorium chamber and is burned using a high temperature, you are now left with the question, are the ashes of your pet toxic for your health or the environment?
What are the Harmful Chemicals Contained in Your Pet’s Ashes?
In general, there are no harmful or toxic chemicals contained in the cremated ashes of your pet. Every organic matter gets completely burned from the cremation process; thus, inorganic minerals get left behind. These inorganic minerals are not generally harmful to people. However, there are still some chemicals present in the ashes that humans should consider, such as potassium and phosphorus. When inhaled or ingested in a massive amount of quantities, these chemicals can pose a threat to humans. Other studies have found some traces of elements contained in the ashes of the cremated pet, such as chlorine and mercury, though in small quantities. At high concentrations, the presence of these harmful elements can be extremely harmful to humans.
How do I know if my Pet’s Ashes are Toxic?
One of the things you can do to tell whether the ashes of your pet are toxic or not is to directly ask the handler or the one in charge of handling the ashes of your pet. In most cases, these people should be able to tell whether the ashes are toxic to humans or not. You may also do a small test on yourself, similar to testing beauty products. Grab a small number of ashes and put it on the back of your hand. Observe the area for 24 hours for any negative reactions. Some pet owners try mixing the ashes with water to test the toxicity of the ashes. Once the ashes get completely dissolve in the water, then they are considered safe.
Handle Your Pet’s Ashes Properly
Whether you plan to scatter the ashes of your dog or keep the ashes in an urn to store or bury away, it is important to handle the ashes of your pet in a proper manner. Aside from testing whether the ashes are toxic to humans or not, there are a few other things you can do to dispose of or handle the ashes of your pet properly. You can talk to your Clayton, MO, pet cremation site staff about the transferring of ashes to the urn and choose not to open the jar to avoid any risks. Should you happen to choose to scatter the ashes of your pet, it is extremely important to wash your hands as soon as possible after touching the ashes. Proper hygiene in this circumstance can prevent any allergic reaction from the possible risks of being exposed to cremated ashes. Contact us today and start making arrangements.