Many pet owners consider their pets much more than animals, companions, or property—they are family members, because they provide unconditional love and they share a deeply personal bond. Pet loss grief is often profound, and a lack of societal support can make navigating the grieving process a challenge. The Advanced Veterinary Medical Center team provides coping strategies and resources to help you through this difficult time.

Why pet loss is difficult

Pet loss is particularly challenging because of the unique human-animal bond. Pets provide unconditional love, support, comfort, and stability and the human-animal bond can be as strong as—or sometimes stronger than—human relationships. Pets also dictate our daily routines and their absence can leave a large void. Although pet loss feels similar to losing a human friend or relative, societal recognition of pet loss and its importance is often lacking. You may feel that nobody understands, or feel silly for experiencing sadness or pain. But, pet loss grief is real. Finding someone who understands is crucial to working through the grieving process.

The pet loss grieving process

Grieving a pet is a personal journey—nobody can determine for you the best way to heal. The grieving process often mirrors the loss of a human loved one, which includes the well-recognized five stages—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. However, grief is not linear and healing has no prescribed time. Recognizing and allowing yourself to feel your emotions and take the necessary time is the first step to feeling better.

Strategies for coping with pet loss

Your sadness, loneliness, or anger after losing your pet may distract you from your daily life and responsibilities. With time, the following strategies can help:

  • Allow yourself to feel your feelings — Give yourself permission to grieve and experience your natural emotions and do not feel you must move on immediately. Cry, laugh, and smile when thinking about your pet.
  • Remember your pet — Some people want to remove their pet’s belongings to avoid reminders of their loss, while others want to keep those items in plain view. Eventually, sorting through your pet’s things and creating a memorial can be therapeutic. Consider a scrapbook, shadowbox, garden stone, or painting to keep your pet’s memory alive. 
  • Find community and support — Talking to friends, family, a support group, or a licensed mental health professional who understands your pain can provide comfort. Share your feelings and talk through them with non-judgemental friends in an empathetic atmosphere.
  • Re-establish your daily routine — Sticking to a daily routine can provide structure when you feel too sad or unmotivated to get moving. Hobbies or exercise can help boost your mood and be a temporary distraction when you need an emotional break.

When and where to seek help with pet loss grief

Two people sit close on a couch, where one, possibly a vet, gently holds the hands of the other, offering comfort or support. The setting appears to be a cozy, casual indoor space.

If the sadness from grieving a lost pet becomes overwhelming and interferes with your ability to function, you may benefit from professional help. Mental health professionals trained in pet loss, such as social workers or counselors, can help you recover, and we can provide online or print resources to peruse in your own time. The following may also help:

With time and support, you can heal from pet loss and smile when you look back on your beloved pal’s life. Grief and sadness are valid and acceptable responses to pet loss. Contact the Advanced Veterinary Medical Center team and let us help you navigate your pet’s final weeks or months and provide you with local pet-loss resources and support groups.