Pet keepsake: Memorial options for cats, dogs, and other pets

Pet keepsakes are objects that hold a piece of a pet after the pet has died. They are most commonly created for dogs and cats but are also made for rabbits, birds, horses, hamsters, and other companion animals. The right keepsake depends on the type of pet, the family’s habits, and what they want to remember.

This page covers the main categories of pet keepsakes, what they cost, and how to choose one that fits the family.

Paw Print and Nose Print Keepsakes

Paw print kits are the most common pet keepsake and work for any animal with paws, dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, and others. The kit contains a small disc of clay, silicone, or ink, and the paw is pressed into it before burial or cremation.

For cats, paw print kits often include a separate nose print option. The nose print is captured the same way as a paw print but produces a finer, more detailed impression.

Standard kits run $15 to $50. Higher-end kits with archival materials or framed display options run $40 to $120. For a permanent version, the print can be cast in bronze, pewter, or resin by a memorial jeweler for $80 to $200.

Fur and Feather Keepsakes

Fur keepsakes work for any mammal, dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, ferrets. The fur should be clean and dry, and stored with a small packet of silica gel to prevent mildew. Glass vials with screw-top closures run $15 to $60. Lockets with a small internal compartment for fur run $40 to $150.

Feather keepsakes are specific to birds. A single feather can be pressed and framed, or set into a resin pendant. Feather keepsakes are smaller and more fragile than fur keepsakes, but they capture something specific about the bird.

For horses, horsehair jewelry is a long-standing tradition. Bracelets, rings, and pendants made from a strand of the horse’s tail or mane are common memorial items and run $80 to $400 depending on the metal and the design.

Cremation Urns and Jewelry

For pets that have been cremated, the most common keepsake is an urn. Urns come in wood, ceramic, metal, stone, and biodegradable materials. Small pet urns for cats, rabbits, and small dogs run $40 to $150; larger urns for medium and large dogs run $100 to $400. Biodegradable urns designed for burial or scattering run $50 to $200.

Cremation jewelry with a small internal chamber for ashes is available for any pet. Stainless steel pendants run $40 to $100; sterling silver or gold pieces run $150 to $600. Engraving with the pet’s name and dates adds $20 to $60.

Some families split the ashes, a portion in an urn for the home, a portion in jewelry for the wearer, a portion in a garden stone, and a portion to be scattered. Most crematoriums will divide the ashes into separate containers.

Photo and Personalized Keepsakes

A framed photo is the simplest keepsake and remains the most common. Custom framing with an engraved plate, or a frame with the pet’s name engraved in the wood, turns a simple photo into a memorial piece. Prices run $20 to $200.

Custom portraits painted or drawn from a photograph run $150 to $600 depending on the artist and medium. Digital commissions are cheaper and faster, typically $40 to $120.

Other photo-based keepsakes include photo books, custom blankets printed with the pet’s image, and small canvases. Prices range from $25 for a basic print to $200 for a custom-printed blanket.

Memorial Plaques, Stones, and Garden Markers

For families who want a more permanent keepsake, a memorial plaque or stone is appropriate. Indoor plaques (walnut with a brass plate, or cast bronze) run $50 to $250. Outdoor garden stones with the pet’s name and a paw print run $40 to $150.

Some garden stones are specifically designed as pet memorials with paw print imagery, the pet’s name, and a short inscription. Placed in a flower bed, under a tree, or beside a favorite spot, the stone serves as a daily reminder.

Choosing the Right Keepsake

When choosing among pet keepsakes, four practical filters help:

Type of pet. Cats and small dogs have different memorial product options than horses or rabbits. Most keepsake vendors specialize in dogs and cats. For less common pets, look for vendors that work across species or commission a custom item.

Stage of grief. Immediately after the loss, simple items (a paw print kit, a sympathy card) are appropriate. Months later, more substantial items (a commissioned portrait, a memorial stone) feel right.

Where the keepsake will live. Pocket-sized items work for daily carry. Shelf-sized items work for the home. Garden stones work for outdoor memorial spots.

Cost. Most pet keepsakes cost between $15 and $200. Higher-priced keepsakes like commissioned portraits or solid bronze plaques are meaningful but not necessary.

Frequently asked questions

References

• https://info.lapoflove.com/keepsakes
• https://www.chewy.com/b/pet-memorials-15474
• https://www.thelivingurn.com/collections/pet-keepsake-urns
• https://www.legacylane.com/pet-memorial-keepsakes
• https://www.reddit.com/r/DogAdvice/comments/1drl5fn/keepsake_ideas_for_dog_with_limited_time_left/
• https://www.spiritpieces.com/collections/all-pets-cremation-glass-and-jewelry
• https://petalsandkeepsakes.com/
• https://www.restingrainbow.com/blog-posts/pet-fur-keepsake-ideas
• https://petmemoryshop.com/collections/pet-memorials
• https://www.dailypaws.com/living-with-pets/pet-owner-relationship/grief/pet-memorial-ideas