When dealing with pet breavement, it's important that you allow yourself time to grieve the loss of your pet. You may find support groups or grief support services to be helpful. Alternatively, you can focus on the support of family members and find ways to remember and say goodbye to your beloved pet.

Dealing With Pet Bereavement

The loss of a pet evokes a range of emotions. There's no right way to feel or a set way to mourn, but the grieving process generally follows five stages:

• Denial – refusing to believe they have passed away
• Anger – at not being able to save them, either aimed at yourself or others
• Bargaining – trying to find a way that could have prevented the loss
• Depression – feeling unable to move on without them in your life
• Acceptance – accepting their passing away and finding ways to move forward

Everyone grieves differently, and you may not go through all these stages. The time it takes to go through the stages will vary greatly as well. However, it's essential to allow yourself time to grieve and explore ways to cope.

How to Grieve the Loss Of a Pet

We all grieve the death of a pet differently, and the way we deal with it will vary, too. Some people find it therapeutic to participate in memorial activities, such as planting a tree or holding a ceremony to say goodbye to their lost companion. This can be a burial or for scattering their ashes in their favourite place. You could also create pet memorial items, such as a special photo frame or a keepsake box containing their favourite toy, collar and ID tag.

Focus on the good times that you shared with your pet – create a scrapbook of these moments with photos, comments, and any items you may have collected. Talk to friends and family about how you're feeling, and be honest about your emotions. Don't be ashamed of your feelings; they're perfectly normal.

Pet Bereavement Support Services

You may find it beneficial to attend pet bereavement support groups and speak to people who are also dealing with pet grief. Some charities and veterinary schools offer confidential phone lines for pet loss support.

Cats Protection have a grief support service called 'Paws to Listen' for those coping with the loss of a cat. Trained volunteers are on hand to listen to you talk through your grief.

Blue Cross also has a pet bereavement support service for those dealing with the loss of a dog, cat, rabbit or any other pet.

Another helpful resource for those faced with pet loss is pet bereavement counsellors, who specialise in helping pet owners deal with grief. Your vet will be able to provide you with information on how to access these resources.

Explaining Pet Loss to Your Children

If your pet is being put to sleep, it's important to prepare your child for the loss. Explain the situation to them and give them the chance to say goodbye to their beloved companion. If your pet loss is sudden, be honest and explain what has happened.

When speaking to your child, use appropriate language for their age and simple terms to help them understand. Avoid saying that their pet was "put to sleep", as this can lead to fear of sleep.

Your child will need time to grieve, which will look different for every child – some may cry, whereas others may withdraw themselves.

Let your child's school know that you've lost a pet so they can keep an eye out for any behavioural changes or signs of depression. The school may also be able to offer a school counsellor for your child to speak to.

Pet Grief Activities for Children

Help your little ones focus on happy memories by sharing funny stories or looking through photos and videos that you have of your pet. Making a scrapbook or holding a memorial service can help them to deal with their grief.

Speak to your vet to see what memorial services they can provide, like taking a paw print before your pet is buried or cremated as a keepsake.

Helping a Pet Cope With Loss

If you have a multi-pet household, your other pet(s) may be feeling the loss, too. So, you may want to get them a new companion. Some pets, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, prefer companionship, and it's detrimental to their well-being to be kept as solitary pets.

However, be prepared for it to take some time for your pet to welcome any newcomers. Make sure to introduce them slowly and in a calm environment. It's a good idea to keep some of your old pet's possessions so that their smell is still present while your other pets adapt to a life without them.

When to Get a New Pet After Losing One

Some pet owners may wish to get a new pet quickly, whereas others prefer to wait or never get another pet. It's not possible to "replace" a pet, but if you miss the friendship, getting a new companion may be the right option for you.

Losing a pet is never easy, but it's important to seek support through your grief by speaking to family, friends, pet loss support groups or pet bereavement counsellors.

Memorial services or keepsake items can also help when grieving the loss of a pet. But most importantly, focus on the good times that you had with your best buddy.

Everypaw Pet Insurance

Everypaw's Pet Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your pet will be well looked after.

Get a quote

 

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis – www.vetlexicon.com/treat/canis AND Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.