Instructions
The grieving process
Most pet owners will experience five distinct stages of mourning after the death of a pet. They might feel shock or denial that the pet is gone; anger that the veterinarian wasn't able to do enough to save their pet; guilt that they weren't able to do enough to save their pet or that they had to authorize euthanasia; bargaining in an attempt to reverse the situation; and in some cases depression that makes them unable to deal with other parts of life.
It's important for grieving pet owners to understand that it's OK to mourn the loss of their pet. Many pet owners choose to memorialize their pets. Some do this by having them cremated and keeping their ashes in an urn. Others make a donation to an animal shelter in their pet's name. Doing this makes the loss real while allowing pet owners to start the process of getting on with their lives.
There is a unique bond between children and pets. For many children, their feelings for their pets can be as strong as for their siblings or parents. When a pet dies, it can hit them very hard -- in many cases, this will be their first experience dealing with a loss.
Even though small children may not fully understand the concept of death, it's important not to attempt to be vague about what happened to their dog or cat. Using euphemisms such as that the pet "went away" can confuse them and make them jump to conclusions -- like that they did something wrong to make the pet leave, or that the pet is coming back. Instead, explain to them in plain terms that the pet is no longer alive, but that it is happy and not in any pain.
Much like humans, pets can create strong bonds with each other. This can even occur between species -- cats becoming close to dogs or vice versa. Pets are also very sensitive to changes within a household and will understand that the dynamic has changed. After a pet in the household dies, others can experience mood changes such as loss of appetite or becoming extra "needy."
It's important not to change the routine of your pets too much after a loss. Pets are creatures of habit, and if you begin treating them differently it can modify their behavior permanently. Give them extra attention if they need it, but otherwise allow them to do their own thing and they will eventually develop a new, healthy routine.
How to Grieve the Death of a Pet
For many people, the loss of a pet is as heartbreaking as losing a close friend. We create deep, emotional bonds with our pets, often coming to view them almost as family members. They bring us joy and happiness and provide affection and comfort. Just like when dealing with the loss of a human, there is a natural grieving process that occurs when a pet passes away - it's important to remember that grieving is normal and that things eventually will get better.