Over 80% of American pet owners consider their pets to be members of the family, and well over half spend more time taking their pets to the vet than going to the doctor for themselves. They are also more likely to know the names of their neighbors’ pets than the names of their neighbors. Source: Sky Magazine.
Given the rich and intense relationships most pet owners share with their animal companions, the loss of a pet can be very painful. The loss of a beloved pet can trigger overwhelming feelings of grief and sadness. Physically, you might have trouble sleeping, lose weight, feel tired all the time or have difficulty focusing. Your feelings might surprise you, but shouldn’t if you consider all of the things your animal companion brought to your life, chief among them love and affection.
Grieving might take you to your spiritual and emotional edges, so it’s often tempting to try to avoid it. Yet the more you are willing to embrace your emotions, the better equipped you are to live and love fully.
Understanding sadness
It may come as a surprise that you feel so deeply about your pet. You may have been aware, but not mindful, of the many wonderful gifts your pet brought to your life. For many, the loss of a pet is the loss of a trusted companion. As you experience sadness and grief about the death of your pet, take time to consider your pet’s special place in your life. The questions below can help you understand why you are so sad and, hopefully, give you positive ways to remember your pet.
- How did my pet come into my life?
- What types of activities did we do together?
- What important life moments did my pet see me through? (births, deaths, marriage, divorce, etc.)
- How did being with my pet make me feel?
How is the loss of a pet similar to and different from the loss of a human friend or family member?
One important difference between pet loss and human loss is that pet loss is often not appreciated. Friends and family may ask “What’s the big deal? It’s just a pet!” There is also the assumption by many that pet loss shouldn’t hurt as much as human loss, because humans are supposedly more important than pets.
For someone who has truly loved a pet, however, the loss of that animal can feel just as devastating as a human loss, if not more. The very things that make animals different than humans often make them more endearing. An animal who doesn’t talk can’t pass judgment or give you the silent treatment or withhold companionship and love. For many, pets provide a source of unwavering love, affection and companionship. The qualities of a beloved pet are hard to match in human form. The loss of that companion can be heartbreaking.
The truth is that all losses, animal or human, can plunge you into despair and may signal the beginning of a profound spiritual-emotional journey. Like grief for humans, grief for animal companions can only be dealt with over time and in stages.
Coping with grief
Fortunately, you are endowed with the ability to cry, to rage, to wonder, to tell stories, and to reach out for comfort from another. The more you use these gifts, the easier it will be to find meaning in the loss.
You might also draw on your past experiences with loss to help you on your way through the grieving process. Some questions to consider:
- How do you individually cope with loss?
- What have you learned from other losses that will help you meet this loss gracefully?
- What kind of support will help you deal with grief now and in the future?
“How shall I grieve?” is a question to be answered differently by each person. Here are some suggestions which might be helpful:
- Pay attention to your feelings, even if you don’t understand them. Write about your feelings and talk with others about them.
- Don’t assume that the current grief will be like previous ones. You are not the same person who grieved before (though old griefs may definitely come alive in new sorrows).
- Listen to music, especially instrumental music that helps express your sorrow and move through it.
- Create your own art, music and poetry to express your feelings. Don’t worry whether it is “good.” Just do it.
- Move your body. Walk in the woods, exercise or take a yoga class. Anything that gets you moving for at least a short time during the day can help lift your spirits.
- Spend some time with others who have lost pets. Check out the message boards and pet loss support groups at the end of this article. If your own therapist or clergy does not work well with the grief of pet loss, find someone who does.
Stages of grieving
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’s book On Death and Dying, outlines the stages of grief and the emotions that typically go along with each stage.
- Denial is a natural response to the shock of death. However well you understand the facts of death, it is still ultimately mysterious and often frightening. The more your pet has been a part of your life, the harder it can be to think about going on. Dealing with the realities of death can be much more difficult if you suppress your feelings of grief and loss.
- Anger includes all of your expressions of unhappiness about the situation. Anger can focus on whatever or whoever you blame for death – even God. When anger is accepted and expressed safely, it can motivate action. If you get stuck in blame, guilt or bitterness, your anger can be destructive.
- Bargaining includes your attempts to remain in control. Sometimes bargaining takes a magical-thinking slant, such as,”Okay, God, please bring back Fluffy and I’ll change this or that about myself,” or “If I throw myself into volunteer work, I won’t feel the loss.”
- Depression is the psyche’s attempt to muffle the feelings of loss. Extreme sadness is often mixed with doubts and fears about the meaning and nature of life. Depression includes feelings like hopelessness and overwhelming sorrow. Your energy level can drop swiftly, rendering you unable to perform tasks we normally do easily.
- Acceptance comes when you can finally feel and integrate all the feelings of loss: powerlessness to prevent death, loss of identity, sadness, gratitude, joy, hope, anger. Having faced loss, you appreciate every moment of life more. Sadder, wiser, more hopeful and appreciative, more grounded, more compassionate, you now have much more to give to others and ourselves.
The stages of grief are not orderly and precise, and sometimes the stages overlap. Even after you feel ‘healed,’ it’s quite possible to feel the old pain afresh. When other life events prove challenging, you might feel the loss all over again because you are faced again with the absence of the comfort your pet provided. Knowing the stages of the grief process will not make them easier to go through, but knowing that your feelings are similar to those of others who have experienced loss might make you feel less alone in your sadness.
How long does it take to grieve?
Every person experiences grief differently and on a unique time line. Often it depends on how willing you are to feel the grief and work through it. The more you try to repress your feelings, the longer the process might take.
Is it normal to feel depressed and in pain when grieving?
It is natural to feel depressed and in pain after losing a pet. Feelings of depression after death are like a wounded animal’s instincts to withdraw to a safe spot and “lick your wounds.” They can also be an indicator that your usual notions of faith and reality have been shattered, which can lead to deep questions about the meaning of life and impending death. Feelings of depression can be a cue that you need to slow down and allow yourself to feel the loss. You also need to find a way, when it is time, to move on with life.
While feelings of depression are normal after death, actual clinical depression is not. If the depressed feelings continue for a long time or if you are unable to return to normal activities, you should consider seeing a therapist and/or your clergy person.
How can I decide if it’s time to help my pet die?
In some cases, you might be asked to help your pet make a transition from life to death, with the help of your veterinarian. The choice of euthanasia for a pet usually comes after a diagnosis of a terminal illness and with the knowledge that the animal is suffering. Whatever the case, your choices for your pet should be informed by the care and love you feel for the animal.
The American Veterinary Medical Association has some guidelines for knowing when to consider the option of euthanasia. Important things to consider include:
- Activity level – Does your pet still enjoys previously loved activities or is he/she able to be active at all?
- Response to care and affection – Does your pet still interact and respond to love and care in the usual ways?
- Amount of pain and suffering – Is your pet experiencing pain and suffering which outweigh any pleasure and enjoyment in life?
- Terminal illness or critical injury – Have illness or injury prohibited your pet from enjoying life? Is your pet facing certain death from the injury or illness?
Accept the fact that euthanasia for a pet is highly personal decision that you should make with the support of your family and veterinarian. It might also be helpful to talk to your clergy person, therapist or other pet owners who have faced similar situations. You should be clear about the quality of life that is available for your pet, and your ability to live with your decision. If you do decide that ending the suffering is in your pet’s best interest, take your time to create a process that is as peaceful as possible for you and your pet.
How can I deal with the loss of my pet when family and friends devalue my loss?
Unfortunately, this is a very common situation. Your friends and family may not understand how you could be so upset about losing “just a pet." They may not understand because they don’t have a pet of their own or because they are unable to appreciate the companionship and love provided by a pet.
To do your best grieving, you need to stand up for yourself. That doesn’t mean arguing with others about whether or not your grief is appropriate, but it does mean accepting the fact that the best support for your grief may come from outside your usual circle of families and friends. Seek out others who have lost pets; they will appreciate the magnitude of your loss, and may be able to suggest ways of getting through the grieving process.
Should I have a funeral for my pet?
If you feel that a funeral would help you initiate the process of mourning and memorialize your pet’s life, you should have a funeral for your pet. Make your decision about a funeral based on what would be most helpful to you and others who loved the pet. For instance, if your pet was the beloved family dog, and you think a funeral would help your children say goodbye to the pet, it would probably be the right decision. If funerals generally depress you and you wish to do your grieving in another way, that is appropriate too.
If you choose to have a funeral, you can follow a traditional funeral format by inviting friends who knew your pet to your home, the woods, or another meaningful place. Use whatever poetry, spiritual readings, and/or music works best for you.
What about a memorial?
Rather than a funeral, you might have a memorial service for your pet. Again, this depends on your needs and desires. In addition to interment in a pet ceremony or cremation, possibilities include:
- Creating a memorial in your home where you keep a photograph, a favorite pet belonging, flowers and any symbol of your relationship with your pet.
- Giving to humane societies, programs that offer pet care to people who could not otherwise afford it, or other programs that have special meaning to you;
- Creating a poem, piece of art or other work that expresses your love for your pet.
- Sharing stories and memories about your pet with other family members and friends for the purpose of celebrating the love and joy your pet brought to your life.
Should I get a new pet right away?
Common wisdom says no, because pets are not interchangeable. Though it’s tempting to fill the void of one pet’s passing with another pet, most vets and grief counselors say it’s best to mourn the old pet so that the new one can be appreciated fully for its own sake, not as a replacement. That may mean choosing another type of pet or a different breed. Follow your instincts, you will know when it is right to bring a new animal companion into your life.
To Learn More: Related Helpguide Articles
References and resources
General resources
Pet Loss – Help in Healing the Hurt – Article about dealing with the sadness and grief from the death of a beloved pet. (Kathie Maffitt)
Why Does Pet Loss Hurt So Much? – Article about the unique nature of grief for a pet. (Martha M. Tousley)
Grief and Pet Loss – Details important steps of grieving and healing following the death of a pet. (Rainbow Bridge)
Loving Animals and Losing Them – Describes the natural feelings of grief following the loss of a pet, and gives a hotline number for people who need to talk about their loss. (University of California Davis)
Coping with the Loss of a Friend – Your Pet – Articles and resources to help you honor your pet’s memory. (IMOM)
Virtual Pet Cemetery – Stories about beloved pets and a place to post your own story. (Virtual Pet Cemetery®)
Explaining Pet Loss to Children – Ideas for talking with children about the loss of a pet. Includes several book recommendations. (Martha M. Tousley)
Support groups and hotlines
Pet Loss Hotlines – List of hotlines for pet grief counseling. (Chance’s Spot)
Pet Loss Support Hotline – Information about a hotline staffed by veterinary students, as well as links to other hotlines. Also describes the stages of grieving the loss of a pet and information on euthanasia. (Cornell University Veterinary School)
Pet Loss Grief Support (commercial site) – Support resources for pet owners including a weekly candle ceremony, articles and online support groups. (PetLoss.com)
Pet Loss Support Group – Information about joining an online pet loss support group. (Chance’s Spot)
Pet euthanasia
Making the Decision – Provides information and considerations about the decision to euthanise your pet. Also gives referrals for grief counseling. (American Veterinary Medical Association)
Facing Pet Euthanasia – Discusses how to deal with a terminally ill pet. (University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine)
Euthansia: What to Expect (commercial site) – Provides information about the euthanasia process and what to expect. (Pet Center)
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