How soon after a cat dies can it be buried?

A cat can be buried once its body has become basically stiff. If it died naturally or from injury, bury it away from water sources to avoid bacteria from decay affecting the water. Also, the grave should be at least half a meter deep, so rain does not wash it out or other animals dig it up. If the cat died of an infectious disease, cremation is usually advised to prevent spreading the virus; if cremation is impractical, use a professional service.