Navigating Pet Loss: Support, Healing, and Honoring the Bond
Losing a pet is never easy. Whether they were by your side for one year or fifteen, their absence leaves an undeniable void. Pets are family — companions, protectors, best friends, and for many, a source of unconditional love. Grief after the death of a beloved animal is natural and deeply personal, and there's no "right" way to process that pain.
In this post, we’ll share supportive resources, ways to honor your pet, guidance for helping grieving children and other pets, and coping tools to help you navigate this incredibly hard time with care and compassion.
Support Resources for Pet Loss
You are not alone in your grief, and there are people ready to help:
University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
Grief Help Line: 865-755-8839
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm
Support includes: A 20-minute initial call and up to four one-hour individual phone sessions
Visit https://vetmed.tennessee.edu/
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement
Offers pet loss resources and online chat rooms
Visit https://www.aplb.org/
ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline
Call 1-877-474-3310 for grief support
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or chat online if you're in crisis
Ten Ways to Cope With the Loss of Your Pet
Give yourself permission to grieve. Your loss is valid and deserves space.
Don’t rush your healing. It's normal to feel disoriented or exhausted — grief is real work.
Acknowledge guilt without judgment. Many pet guardians feel “what if” guilt. You're not alone.
Say goodbye in your own way. Write a letter, hold a memorial, or speak aloud what you wish you'd said.
Create a tribute. Plant a tree, make a scrapbook, or donate in your pet’s name.
Wait until you’re ready for a new pet. There’s no deadline — this is your timeline.
Talk to someone who understands. Whether a counselor or a friend, let your feelings be heard.
Care for yourself. Hydrate, rest, move gently, and breathe.
Channel your grief creatively. Journaling, painting, or gardening can be powerful outlets.
Invite small joys back in. A walk, a funny movie, a warm bath — joy and grief can coexist.
Ways to Honor Your Pet’s Memory
Hold a burial or cremation ceremony
Place your pet’s ashes in a meaningful location, like a potted plant or under their favorite tree
Commission a portrait from your favorite photo
Add their tag to your keychain
Volunteer or donate in their honor
Plant a garden or place a memory stone
Understanding the Effects of Grief
Grief doesn’t follow a schedule — it can come in waves, and every person experiences it differently. Here are some common effects:
Physical: Headaches, insomnia, loss of appetite, body aches
Emotional: Sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, anxiety
Psychological: Confusion, dreams of the deceased, lack of concentration
Behavioral: Crying, withdrawal, overactivity, avoiding reminders
These feelings are real, and valid. You are not “too sensitive” or “overreacting.” You are grieving.
Helping Children Through Pet Loss
Children may express grief in ways adults don’t expect. Be honest and gentle, and allow them to ask questions — even the hard ones. Let them lead, and try not to downplay their loss. Sharing your own feelings can help them feel safe to share theirs.
Offer creative ways to remember the pet together, like drawing pictures, writing stories, or planting flowers in their memory.
Helping Surviving Pets Cope
Animals grieve too. They may become withdrawn, vocalize more, or change routines.
Stick to your regular schedule to provide structure.
Reward calm or desirable behaviors rather than reinforcing anxious ones.
Monitor for shifts in pack dynamics, especially if the pet who passed away held a dominant role.
Offer extra love and patience — they’re grieving in their own way, just like you.
Saying goodbye is heartbreaking — but in that heartbreak is proof of a beautiful bond. You gave your pet a life full of love. Now, as you navigate this loss, may you find comfort in knowing that their love never leaves you. It changes form, but it stays.
If you're struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Healing doesn't mean forgetting, it means learning to carry the love forward.
