Instructions
Get honest about your feelings. If you feel guilty about your pet's death journal your feelings to validate them. Acknowledging your feelings is the first step towards finding a resolution and moving forward with your life.
Join a pet bereavement support group. Contact the Delta Society website. They have links to various pet support groups nationwide. The link is provided in the Resources section.
Contact your church. Some churches offer bereavement services. Some have services specifically for pets.
Find a therapist in your area that specializes in grief and loss counseling.
Read books and articles about healing from the loss of a beloved pet.
How to Find Help for Guilt of Loss of a Pet
Losing a pet for many people is akin to losing a family member. Pets can provide unconditional love and companionship; and can be a source of great joy in a person's life. When a pet dies, owners may experience degrees of guilt because they feel responsible for their pet's demise. If a pet escapes from the house and gets hit by a car, the owner may feel guilty because he did not take the necessary precautions to keep his pet in the house. If a pet dies from an illness, the owner may feel that he did not recognize the symptoms and get the pet to the veterinarian fast enough. Living with guilt can cause depression and rob you of your joy. There are ways to find help, if you are dealing with guilt from the loss of a pet.