Losing a pet

Losing a pet can be hard. For many, their animals have been beloved members of the family for years. They are not “just” a dog, or cat, but a treasured, integral part of family life.

Grieving a beloved pet

When a beloved pet dies, it is normal that emotions and grief can be intense. You may feel as if you have lost a family member, it can be difficult to share these feelings with others who do not have pets or have never had that relationship with an animal. You might feel embarrassed about the intensity of your feelings and hide them away. But doing so only makes things worse in the long run.

Remembering a pet and talking about him/her and your feelings with someone who understands and is prepared to listen in a compassionate, non-judgmental way can help to organise thoughts and start the healing process. The memory will always remain, but the feelings will modify over time.

Losing a pet hurts

Companionship and unconditional love are often what a pet gives us. Always there every night waiting as we return from work, happy to see us. The daily walks and conversations with other owners become an integral part of our daily routine. There is a constant, unwavering affection.

When a pet dies, there is a huge void in our everyday existence. The dog bowl lies empty on the floor, the cat flap stands still, the house seems so quiet when we enter it. It is natural that we feel grief and sorrow intensely. Everyone’s grief is unique and different, but it is normal to feel great depth of emotions such as sadness, yearning, guilt and confusion, when one loses a much loved pet.

What helps?

Searching out others who have also lost an animal can be very comforting. It is sometimes a relief to hear others describe similar emotions to yours when describing their grief after the death of a loved pet. You may have to search outside of your immediate family and involve others who have had a similar loss and are better able to understand the depth of your feelings.

Finding a way to say goodbye to your pet can be very important. Have a memorial for your pet where every member of the family has an opportunity to talk about what s/he meant to them. Perhaps you scatter your pet’s ashes or bury them in a place with a special meaning. 

Creating a shadow box can be meaningful. Saving and displaying items unique to your animal may keep him or her close to your heart.

Grieving your pet is an ongoing process; give yourself time to decide how or if you want to memorialise yours. There is no rush. Be kind and gentle with yourself and allow yourself to grieve at your own pace. There’s no right or wrong way, just your way.

One-to-one Support

Several of our volunteers have experienced the feelings associated with such loss. Please, if you feel we can help, do not hesitate to contact us.

Group Support

For those who would like group support, the Pet Loss Support Group, a UK-based organisation, runs online peer sessions and in-person meetups for those grieving a pet.