• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

How to cope with the loss of your beloved dog

Posted February 17, 2021

Woman cuddles springer spaniel. The loss of your dog is heartbreaking. Take the time to honor your dog, grieve, and seek support as you cope with your loss.
The loss of your dog is heartbreaking. Take the time to honor your dog, grieve, and seek support as you cope with your loss.

For anyone who’s lost a beloved dog — or any other animal for that matter — we extend our deepest sympathies. Of course, the death of a pet is one of the hardest things for you and your family to have to go through. There’s no easy way to deal with this loss, and everyone processes and deals with things very differently. But, hopefully, in this short guide, we can help to give you some helpful tips and ideas on how to deal with the loss of your dog a little easier.

Read on to find out more.

Dealing with grief

As mentioned, everyone deals with grief in their own ways. It is important to remember that although some of us may be visibly hurt and outwardly grieving, others may take longer to process things and not show their emotions as much. Either is fine, and you should never expect anyone to grieve or feel any certain way. It is also worth noting that different people have extremely different relationships with their pets. To you, your pet may have been far more than just a pet. He or she may have been your best friend or assistance dog, meaning you’re far more invested than others would be in their loss. It’s best to find someone who understands your position and talk with them. Someone who can understand, support, and listen when you need to deal with your grief over the loss of your dog.

Memorials and keepsakes

There are plenty of ways to memorialize your pets after their death, should you wish to. Gary Short, a pet urn specialist designer from Green Meadow Memorials, said, “Many find closure in memorializing their pets with urns, photographs, or other keepsakes. It also means you can keep part of your pet forever, which can be extremely comforting.” We agree and know many friends and loved ones who have kept pet ashes in an urn or held a memorial service for their pet. Both can be fantastic ways to honor your pet’s contribution to your life. Another lovely memorial idea is to plant a tree or other plant in one of your dog’s favorite spots. This way, something can live on in his favorite corner forever, always reminding you of your best friend.

Other family members

Young girl with old golden retriever. For many children, the loss of a pet is their first life experience of loss or death.
For many children, the loss of a pet is their first life experience of loss or death.

If you live with other family members, it can be hard to deal with the grief altogether. Whether before, during, or after any memorial planning, it’s important to try and get through this as a family unit. In the case of kids, this can be extremely hard. For many children, the loss of a pet is their first life experience of loss or death, and therefore a huge moment for your family. Explaining the loss of your dog, teaching them it’s OK to grieve, and allowing yourself to also be sad in front of them are all important things to consider. Make sure you all allow yourselves time and space to grieve whilst supporting one another whenever needed. These are the moments where families come together and become stronger.

Support groups

There are plenty of support groups for the loss of your dog. As we have said, it’s not always easy to find someone who understands why you are so at a loss about the death of a beloved pet. If your friends and family aren’t quite with you, or maybe you don’t have many close family members around, reach out to a support group. Quite often, a great place to start is on social media or online forums. Here you will find like-minded people happy to listen to you and talk with you about your loss. If you need a more personal approach, use these platforms to find local loss groups and have some heart-to-heart chats in person.

A new pet?

Many people rush into getting a new pet to replace the lost love and ease the grieving process. This is usually not recommended, as you can often try to fill a void with another animal who won’t be the same. Every dog has a unique personality and traits, so replacing them with a new animal won’t feel the same. It is not fair to you, your old pet, or your new pet to try and do this. When the time comes, and you are ready, by all means, get a new lovely dog in your life. But, take your time.

Coping with the loss of your dog

We hope that some of this information helps ease you through the grieving process of a lost dog. We know it’s not easy. Seek support if you need it and look after yourself. And be sure to honor your dog’s life with some lovely memorials.

When to put your dog down checklist: 13 questions to ask

Related Posts

  • dog owner holds dog collar and leash
    5 tips to help you cope with the death of a pet

    When the death of a pet happens, it is important…

  • Girl cuddles with golden retriever. For many kids, a dog death is their first experience with serious loss and grief. Although everyone grieves differently, you can help your children cope.
    Help children cope with dog's death

    For many kids, dog death is their first experience with…

  • dog death grief
    Let yourself grieve your dog's death

    Knowing that your dog death grief will gradually lessen over…

  • Dogs may go through the five stages of grief -- denial/isolation, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance.
    Help your dog cope with grief

    Dogs grieve like people and may go through the five…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Health Tagged With: Dog grief

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

PoodleOld dogsTwo dogsPuppy kindergartenOutdoor activitiesPetfinder.comPet parentsSheddingVeterinarianRottweilerVacation dog careWaterPomeranianSmall dogsPit bullSocializationPotty trainingPawThanksgivingPandemicService dogsPet sitterSeparation anxietyPuppy-proofRescue dogWorking dogstraining tipsValentine's DayYorkshire terrierTicks

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Use 5 factors to choose the best veterinarian for your dog
    Research thoroughly and consider location, services, experience, cost, and staff before choosing the right vet for your dog. […]
  • Fight insomnia: 12 tips to help your dog get good sleep
    The most common cause of canine insomnia is pent-up energy. Help your dog sleep all night by ensuring it gets enough exercise. […]
  • Dog fears: 10 ways to fight separation anxiety
    Separation anxiety is one of the most common dog fears. Use our 10 steps to help your dog become more confident and overcome her fear of being left alone. […]
  • Is amoxicillin safe? What antibiotic is most effective for dogs?
    Consult your vet before giving your dog antibiotics. Know when your dog needs medication and watch for allergic reactions. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.