Losing a pet can be tough.
In fact, before I experienced pet loss firsthand, I didn’t quite understand why people were so upset when a dog or cat passed away. It just seemed like part of life.
Now that I’ve been through it several times myself, I know that losing a beloved pet hurts just as badly as losing any other companion. They become part of your everyday routine, your memories, and your idea of home.
The routine below has literally helped alot of people heal after they lost a pet. I watched my mom go through it when our dog passed away. Those first few weeks were some of the hardest for her. Every little thing made her remember how empty the house was without him, the weird quiet, forgotten routines, random moments that used to involve him.
But having actual steps to work through the grief really did make a difference. And I hope this can help you too.
If you’ve just lost a pet, please know that it’s okay to grieve. You don’t have to justify your emotions to anyone. Healing takes time, but you can get through those first few painful weeks without losing the love you have for your companion.
How to Survive the First Weeks After Losing a Pet You Loved
1. Let Yourself Mourn Without Feeling Ashamed
One of the worst things about losing a pet is trying to cope with people who don’t understand how you feel. There will always be someone who insists that it was “just a dog” or “you can always get another.”
But if you loved your pet, you know that it’s never as simple as replacing them with another animal.
They were your friend. They made you smile every day just by being there to greet you after work or keeping you company while you ate dinner alone. Losing a pet completely is painful, and that is okay.
Trying to put on a brave face and pretend that everything is fine will only make it harder for you to heal.
Allow yourself to grieve in the way that you need. Cry if you need to cry. Talk about your pet when you want to. Sit with your emotions and process them. I recommend journaling as a way to process your emotions.
You are allowed to feel sad that your furry companion is gone, and allowing yourself to feel that sadness is one of the best ways you can care for yourself during this time.
Read also: 10 Things That Helped Me Start Healing After Loss of Pet
2. Maintain Your Normal Routine as Much as You Can
The weeks, or even months, after your pet dies can throw you for a loop because you’re no longer taking care of them. Feeding times, walks, snuggle time, and playing are all gone because your pet is gone. This can exacerbate the painful emotions you’re feeling.
You don’t have to go full on productivity mode, but try to maintain some sense of normalcy.
Eat three meals a day. Go to bed and wake up around the same time each day. Get outside or exercise however you choose. Keep busy with other things that you enjoy doing that are good for your well being.
Again, you don’t want to ignore your grief, but building healthy habits will help you stay grounded and take care of yourself during this season of loss.
Read also: 15 Essential Steps to Start Your Healing Journey
3. Find a Special Way to Remember Them
It may seem contradictory to your grief, but many people find comfort in remembering their pet after they’ve passed. You don’t have to force yourself to smile every time you think about your pet, but allow yourself to find fond memories in your mind.
Make your pet a photo album or pick their favorite picture to frame and hang on your wall. Plant a tree in their memory. Write down all your favorite memories you have with them.
These things don’t make you forget your pet. Instead, they help you remember the love you two shared while they were alive.
Memorializing your pet can help you find closure. It gives you something to do with your grief that celebrates your pet’s life instead of simply extinguishing all the happy memories you have of them. This is often a crucial step in the loss of a pet recovery process.
Read also: 15 Tips on How to Journal for Healing
4. Talk to Someone Who Understands
You don’t have to talk to someone about your pet if you don’t want to. But it can be incredibly healing to speak with someone who knows exactly what you’re going through.
Whether it’s your spouse, a close friend, your mom, or someone from an online forum with pet owners who’ve suffered loss, talk to people about your pet.
Share the good memories. Laugh about the time they shredded your favorite pillow. Cry about saying goodbye to them when it was time.
Talking about your pain and hearing someone else empathize with you is one of the best forms of emotional healing. You aren’t alone in your grief, even if it feels that way sometimes.
5. Don’t Jump Into Getting Another Pet Immediately
I’ve met people who adopted another dog the day their old dog passed away. Others told me they felt guilty even thinking about getting another pet.
There’s no set timeline for knowing when it’s “okay” to get another pet. But one thing I would advise is not getting another animal simply to try and fill that void.
They are their own person with their own unique quirks. Trying to replace your old pet with a new one will only set you and your new pet up for failure.
Take some time to grieve your loss. And when you’re ready, you’ll know it in your heart.
6. Healing Isn’t About Trying to Forget Your Pet
The worst part about losing a pet is thinking that you have to stay sad forever to honor them. But you don’t.
You can heal while still loving your pet every single day. You will probably find yourself smiling through tears when you think of all the good times you had with them.
It’s okay to laugh at the memories. It’s okay to heal.
Remembering your pet will never mean that you loved them any less. One day, you might even find that you enjoy thinking about the good memories more than you cry about their death.
Healing from losing a pet is a process. But it doesn’t mean you have to forget everything about them afterward.
Final Thoughts
The first few weeks after losing your pet are probably going to be extremely difficult. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have good days and bad days that come out of nowhere.
That’s okay and normal.
Just remember to take care of yourself throughout this process and allow yourself to grieve. Continue doing the things that you love that are good for your health. Talk to people about your pet and all the good memories you have of them.
Don’t make any rushed decisions, like getting another pet. And know that healing doesn’t mean forgetting your pet ever existed.
You loved your pet, and they loved you right back. That will never change, even when the hurt starts to fade.
FAQs
How long does grief last when you lose a pet?
There’s no right or wrong answer to this question. Everyone heals at different rates and will take different amounts of time to feel better.
Will I always cry when I think about my pet?
Not necessarily. You may find yourself crying now more because your loss is so fresh. But in time, the happy memories will shine through, and you’ll spend more time smiling than crying.
Should kids mourn the loss of a pet?
Yes! Allowing your child to grieve will help them understand loss in a healthy way.
How soon should I get another pet?
Whenever you’re ready. Some people might only need a few weeks, while others need years to mourn their loss. There’s no right time. You’ll just know when you’re ready.
Why does it hurt so much when you lose a pet?
They become your friend, your companion, and part of your everyday routine. That’s why it hurts so much when they’re gone.
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