Strategies for dealing with the passing of a cherished pet, as advised by an experienced professional
Losing a beloved pet can be a challenging and emotional experience for many pet owners. Here are some strategies to help you cope with the loss and find comfort during this difficult time.
Acknowledging and Expressing Grief
It is essential to allow yourself to grieve openly, including crying and sharing feelings with trusted friends, family, or professionals. Reflecting on positive memories and celebrating the pet’s life through activities such as scrapbooking, creating tribute videos, or planting trees can help keep the pet’s spirit alive and provide comfort.
Seeking Emotional Support
Seeking professional counseling or support groups tailored for pet loss can provide a safe space to process emotions without judgment. Talking to friends and family for emotional support and practical help during the grieving period is also crucial.
Memorializing Your Pet
Memorializing your pet in meaningful ways can help you cope with the loss. This could include donating in the pet’s honor, holding memorial services, or creating a pet memorial online.
Support Services Available
Several support services are available for those struggling with the loss of a pet. Pet loss counseling services and support groups, both in-person and online, offer guidance, community, and specialized grief resources. There are also 24/7 grief helplines with trained pet grief counselors, such as Pet Compassion Careline, which provide immediate emotional support.
Veterinary clinic resources and compassionate guidance, online communities and organizations, and specialized grief resources like Blue Cross Pet Loss Support, Charity Cats Protection Paws to Listen, and The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, can provide additional support during this difficult time.
Helping Children Cope
When helping a child deal with the loss of a pet, it is important to be honest about the circumstances, encourage them to talk about their pet and express their emotions, and understand the importance of the animal and what your child has lost. Using language your child will understand, not underestimating their feelings, and not being afraid to share your own feelings of sadness are also crucial.
Euthanasia Process
The euthanasia drug administered to a pet acts like an overdose of anesthetic and is not painful. Dr. MacMillan MRCVS advises that there is usually some time to speak to the vet before the euthanasia takes place, and owners can say their goodbyes at home. After the euthanasia, owners may be able to spend a few private minutes with their pet's body to say their final goodbyes.
It is a personal decision whether the owner stays with their pet during the euthanasia process, and a vet may place an intravenous catheter in the pet's leg. If saying goodbye to a pet was planned in advance, arrangements may have been made for burial or a private pet cremation.
When to Euthanize a Pet
Dr. MacMillan MRCVS suggests that the right time to euthanize a pet may be when it is dealing with signs of aging and its quality of life is deteriorating. If you are unsure what to do for your pet, Dr. MacMillan MRCVS advises that owners who are unsure what to do for their pet should speak to their vet.
Grieving Seniors
Losing a pet later in life can be especially traumatic, and Blue Cross says that the death of a pet can hit retired seniors even harder than younger adults. For some seniors, their pet might have been their sole companion, and caring for them provided a sense of purpose and routine.
Blue Cross recommends a change to your daily routine to help seniors cope with the loss of a pet, filling your time with activities you enjoy, sharing your feelings with friends and family who understand how deep your loss feels, accepting offers of help and support, and adjusting to life without a pet by volunteering to help pets in need.
Additional Resources
The Animal Welfare Association offers virtual and in-person sessions for pet bereavement to help owners share stories and celebrate their pet’s life with others who have experienced a similar loss. For cat owners, Charity Cats Protection Paws to Listen offers a grief support service.
If you are struggling with the loss of a pet, remember that seeking help is a sign of strength, and taking the time needed to heal is crucial. Recognizing that grief is a personal and nonlinear process, these combined approaches provide emotional comfort and practical support to pet owners coping with loss.
[1] Blue Cross (2021). Pet Bereavement and Pet Loss
[2] The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB) (n.d.). Home
[3] The Pet Loss Support Group (n.d.). Home
[4] Pet Compassion Careline (n.d.). Home
- Recognizing that pet loss can be emotional and challenging, maintaining the health and wellness of pets through responsible care, such as providing nutrient-rich food, regular veterinarycheckups, and mental-health stimulation, is crucial to prevent grief in the future for pet owners.
- While caring for a pet, incorporating a pet-friendly lifestyle by taking daily walks, enriching their shelter with toys, and providing social interactions with other pets can contribute to their overall health and longevity, creating positive memories and strengthening the bond between pet and owner.
- Science continuously evolves to aid in pet care, and alongside advancements in veterinary medicine, a focus on health-and-wellness, and alternative treatments like acupuncture and chiropractic care, will benefit the wellbeing of pets.
- In addition to dogs, cats play a vital role in many people's lives as pets too, requiring proper nutrition, regular veterinary care, and an enriched environment to maintain their health and happiness.
- The death of a pet can have long-term mental-health effects, leading to depression and anxiety, emphasizing the importance of understanding and coping mechanisms for pet loss. Resources, such as pet bereavement support groups and counseling services, can assist individuals in finding comfort and healing.
- Utilizing social media platforms or online communities, pet owners can share their stories, memories, and experiences of their beloved pets with people going through the same loss, providing emotional support and a sense of community during this difficult time.
- Remember that pets, whether dogs, cats, or other furry friends, enrich our lives with love, companionship, and support, making the adoption of a pet from reputable shelters and organizations a worthwhile decision for those seeking a companion to share their lifestyle with.
