How to Grieve the Loss of Your Pet

The death of a pet is a difficult time in your life and you should allow yourself enough time to grieve properly. It make take more time to get over the loss of some pets, such as dogs and cats, since form many people, they may have been an important part of the family for years. The most important thing to remember is that it is completely natural to feel sad during this time and that you should not feel ashamed for grieving your loss. Everyone grieves for different amounts of time, depending on how close they were to their pet and how long the animal was a part of their life.

Instructions

    • 1

      Find a local pet bereavement group. If you feel like you need outside communal support, one helpful resource is the Delta Society, which has a nationwide directory for pet support groups. Your local animal shelter is also a good resource to find grief groups.

    • 2

      Prepare a memorial service for your pet. This is one of the best ways to honor your pet and keep its memory alive. The service does not have to be elaborate and can include just some of your closest friends and family. Make a memory table, where you can light some candles and put a picture of your pet as the centerpiece. Go around the room and have everyone share some good memories about your pet. Talking about the good times can ease the grief that you feel from your loss.

    • 3

      Understand the different stages of grief. There are four common emotions that people feel when experiencing grief: guilt, denial, anger and depression. Let yourself feel each of these fully, since accepting these emotions will help you work through your grief and move on with your life.