• 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

5 tips to help you cope with the death of a pet

Posted March 19, 2020

death of a pet

The death of a beloved pet can be almost as devastating as the loss of a family member. Many people love their pets so much that they eventually come to consider them members of their own family. So when these animals close their eyes for the last time, their owners are left with intense sorrow and overwhelming grief.

There is a strong bond that develops between humans and their pets, and no one understands this better than dog owners.

Dogs provide companionship and unconditional love and are often a great source of fun, laughter, and mischief. With time, they worm their way into their caregivers’ hearts and become an integral part of their lives. Growing up with a dog, or even having one in adulthood means having a non-judgmental companion who provides constant emotional support. It is easy to see why severing such a bond causes untold emotional pain.

When the death of a pet happens, it is essential for the owners to know how to cope with their loss.

Cope with the death of a pet

Here are some pointers that can help:

  • Talking about the loss. Pet owners need to find people to talk to about the feelings brought about by their pet’s death. They need to find someone who will allow them to reminisce and talk about the memories they have. Pet-bereavement counseling services and pet-loss support groups can provide a safe place to do this.
  • They are feeling grief and pain. Any death is traumatic and brings up a myriad of feelings — these range from anger and denial to guilt and depression. People process grief differently, and it is imperative for pet caregivers to allow themselves to feel all emotions associated with their loss. Giving free rein to their grief will enable them to move closer to acceptance gradually.
  • Hold a burial ceremony. Many pet owners have found comfort in holding a simple service to say goodbye to their pets. Several organizations have come up with different ways of allowing people to do this. For instance, in North Carolina, pet burial companies can provide cremation and other services to help owners give their pets a memorable send-off. Such ceremonies can be incredibly cathartic.
  • Memorializing the pet. Individuals can also choose to keep their pet’s memories alive in a variety of ways. The most common include planting a tree in their favorite backyard spot, donating money to a charity that cares for dogs, getting a plaque made in the pet’s honor, or even storing a part of their ashes in cremation jewelry.
  • Getting a new pet. It is not a good idea to acquire a new pet when the loss of another is still fresh in mind. This is not fair to the new animal and pet owners should realize that one pet cannot replace another. Rushing out to get a new pet can create a host of unforeseen problems if you don’t cope with the underlying grief. It is always better to take time to heal first before looking for a new companion.

Owning a pet is a wonderful responsibility. While losing this friendship and companionship is a significant blow, owners should spend time reminiscing on the good times they had. Eventually, this pain passes, and the individual will then be ready to build a new relationship with a different animal.

Save

Related Posts

  • 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…

  • Man cuddles with puppy while lying on the floor. As a first-time dog parent, it’s your responsibility to look out for your dog's nutrition, health, and entertainment.
    Get a dog and live a longer, happier, healthier life

    Research shows dog owners live longer because having a dog…

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

    Knowing that your dog death grief will gradually lessen over…

  • Senior woman holds poodle. Seniors benefit from caring for pets.
    Another heartbeat in the house: Seniors benefit from caring for pets

    Seniors benefit from caring for pets because they provide companionship,…

Share this post:

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

Filed Under: Dog Health, Home Page 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

Puppy-proofYorkshire terrierSmall dogsTicksPet parentsPotty trainingValentine's DayService dogsPet sitterOld dogsVacation dog careTwo dogsWorking dogsPawSheddingWaterOutdoor activitiesPandemicSocializationPetfinder.comVeterinarianPoodlePit bullRescue dogRottweilerSeparation anxietyPuppy kindergartenPomeraniantraining tipsThanksgiving

Footer

Quick Links

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

Recent Posts

  • Meet the 9 most popular large dog breeds that make great pets
    Now that you know more about the most popular large dog breeds, it's time to consider their merits and choose the right one. […]
  • Want to adopt? Use Petfinder.com to find your next pup
    PetFinder.com compiles pet info from rescue websites across the country into one spot for an easy search by breed, location, and more. […]
  • Is a large, muscular Cane Corso your dream dog?
    The Cane Corso needs an experienced owner. While bred to guard and intimidate, the dogs can be affectionate and docile if trained properly. […]
  • Understand potential dangers of vaping for dogs to protect your furry friend
    Vaping can be dangerous for dogs, who can be exposed to harmful chemicals in e-cigarette smoke or ingest nicotine-containing products. […]

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.