pet loss grief

Dealing with Pet Loss Grief and How to Help Others.

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

By – James M. Katz, BA

As a pet owner, losing a beloved furry friend can be one of the most heart-wrenching experiences. The emotional toll of pet loss grief is often underestimated, leaving many pet owners feeling alone and overwhelmed. In this article, I will discuss the emotional toll of pet loss grief, the symptoms, coping mechanisms, dealing with guilt and regrets, navigating through the pain, support groups and resources, helping children cope, memorializing your pet, and finding closure to move forward.

Introduction to Pet Loss Grief

When a pet dies, it can feel like losing a family member. The emotional bond between a pet and its owner is strong, and the loss can be devastating. Pet loss grief is a normal and natural response to losing a pet. It is important to recognize and acknowledge the intense feelings that come with pet loss grief.

The article below goes in depth into how long people normally grieve as well as techniques you can use for yourself and others. It was especially impressive how to singled out a key point. Dealing with the loss of a pet is no different than grieving over the loss of a family member.

In one 2019 study, researchers found that 25% of owners ‘took between 3 and 12 months to accept the loss of their pet, 50% between 12 and 19 months, and 25% took between 2 and 6 years, to recover’.
Clearly, more of us are struggling than we might care to recognise. So, we spoke to grief and bereavement expert, Lianna Champ, about the best ways to remove the stigma and tackle this strangely taboo issue.
With over 40 years’ experience and a practical guide, How to Grieve like a Champ, under her belt, Lianna is an expert in how to deal with loss of any kind, including your pets. This is what she told us.

Full Article Here 

Commentary:Cat memorial marker in a pet cemetery.

Understanding Pet Loss Grief: The Emotional Toll

Pet loss grief can be a complicated and intense emotional process. It is a unique experience for each pet owner, as every relationship with a pet is different. The loss of a pet can trigger a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt, and loneliness. It is common to feel like a part of yourself is missing, and you may find yourself constantly thinking about your pet.

Pet loss grief can also impact physical health. It is not uncommon for pet owners to experience physical symptoms such as loss of appetite, insomnia, and fatigue. The emotional toll of pet loss grief can make it difficult to function in daily life, and it is important to take care of yourself during this time.

Symptoms of Pet Loss Grief

Pet loss grief can manifest in a variety of ways. Some common symptoms include:

• Intense sadness and crying
• Feelings of guilt and regret
• Anger and frustration
• Anxiety and depression
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Loss of appetite or overeating
• Insomnia or oversleeping

It is important to recognize that these symptoms are a normal part of the grieving process. It is okay to feel a wide range of emotions, and it is important to give yourself permission to grieve.

Coping Mechanisms for Pet Loss Grief

Coping with pet loss grief can be challenging, but there are many ways to navigate through the pain. One of the most important things you can do is to allow yourself to feel the emotions that come with grief. It is okay to cry, be angry, and feel sad.

Talking to others about your grief can also be helpful. Friends and family members may be able to offer comfort and support during this difficult time. Writing in a journal or participating in creative activities such as drawing or painting can also provide an outlet for expressing emotions.
Self-care is also important during the grieving process. Taking care of your physical health by getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising can help improve your mental health. It is also important to be patient with yourself and to allow yourself time to grieve.

Dealing with Guilt and Regrets After Pet Loss

Many pet owners experience guilt and regrets after the loss of a pet. You may find yourself questioning whether you did enough for your pet or if you made the right decisions regarding their care. It is important to remember that you did the best you could with the information and resources available to you at the time.

It can be helpful to write down your feelings of guilt and regrets and to discuss them with a trusted friend or family member. Talking through these feelings can help you gain perspective and find peace with your decisions.

Navigating Through the Pain of Pet Loss Grief

Navigating through the pain of pet loss grief is a process that takes time. It is important to be patient with yourself and to allow yourself to grieve. It is okay to seek professional help if you are struggling to cope with the loss of your pet. Therapy can provide a safe and supportive environment to process your emotions and work through the grieving process.

Support Groups and Resources for Pet Loss Grief

There are many support groups and resources available for pet owners who are grieving the loss of a pet. These resources can provide comfort and support during a difficult time. Some resources include:

• Pet loss hotlines
• Online support groups
• Grief counseling
• Pet loss books and literature
• Pet loss memorial services

Helping Children Cope with Pet Loss Grief

Losing a pet can be especially difficult for children. It is important to talk to children about the loss of their pet in an age-appropriate way. Encouraging children to express their emotions and providing a safe space for them to grieve can be helpful.

It can also be helpful to involve children in memorializing their pet. Creating a memorial or planting a tree in memory of their pet can provide a sense of closure and comfort.

Memorializing Your Pet

Memorializing your pet can be a meaningful way to honor their memory. There are many ways to memorialize your pet, including:

• Creating a photo album or scrapbook
• Planting a tree or garden in memory of your pet
• Donating to an animal charity in memory of your pet
• Creating a memorial plaque or stone for your pet’s grave

Moving Forward After Pet Loss: Finding Closure

Finding closure after the loss of a pet can be a long and difficult process. It is important to take the time to grieve and to allow yourself to feel the emotions that come with pet loss grief.

Creating a memorial for your pet can provide a sense of closure and comfort. It is also important to remember the happy times you shared with your pet and to celebrate their life.

Conclusion

Losing a pet can be one of the most difficult experiences a pet owner can face. The emotional toll of pet loss grief can be intense and overwhelming. It is important to recognize and acknowledge the feelings that come with pet loss grief and to allow yourself to grieve.

Coping mechanisms such as talking to others, self-care, and seeking professional help can be helpful during the grieving process. Memorializing your pet can also provide a sense of closure and comfort. Remembering the happy times you shared with your pet can help you find peace and move forward after pet loss grief.

If you are a good listener and have excellent people skills then you might be interested in training to become a pet loss grief counselor. We offer a full program designed to teach you techniques designed to help others deal with the loss of their pets. For details please follow this link.

References:

Helpguide.org: Guide to Pet Loss

Cleveland Clinic: Loss of a Pet

Additional Resources:

Online Survey as Empathic Bridging for the Disenfranchised Grief of Pet Loss. OMEGA – Journal of Death and Dying, Packman, W., Carmack, B. J., Katz, R., Carlos, F., Field, N. P., & Landers, C. (2014).  69(4), 333–356.
Access link here 

Veterinary social work: Practice within veterinary settings, Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, T. Melissa Holcombe, Elizabeth B. Strand, William R. Nugent & Zenithson Y. Ng (2016)  26:1, 69-80, DOI: 10.1080/10911359.2015.1059170
Access link here 

Older women’s experiences of companion animal death: impacts on well-being and aging-in-place. Wilson, D.M., Underwood, L., Carr, E. et al.  BMC Geriatr 21, 470 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02410-8
Access link here 

Pet Loss: Understanding Disenfranchised Grief, Memorial Use, and Posttraumatic Growth, Breeanna Spain, Lisel O’Dwyer & Stephen Moston (2019)  Anthrozoös, 32:4, 555-568, DOI: 10.1080/08927936.2019.1621545
Access link here 

Pet Loss Grief Article on Children and Pet Loss

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Children and their experience with loss usually begins with the death of a pet.  Helping a child understand the finality of death but also allowing the child to express grief is key to this learning process, albeit, as painful as it may be to the entire family.

For a child, the loss of a pet is sometimes the child’s first experience with loss. Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Loss Grief Support Program

 

The article, “How to deal with the death of a pet when you have kids” by Mel Ritterman looks at this difficult and painful process.  He states,

“Having to say goodbye to your dog is like losing a family member and your best friend all in one. It’s heartbreaking and so incredibly emotional. Then throw kids into the mix and it is just so much harder. How do you explain this to your children? How do you grieve when you have to be the parent? How do we explain death to kids?”

To read the entire article, please click here

Pet loss and children enter into types of loss.  One the loss of a pet and second the particular loss from the view of a child.  These things make the loss no easier and require parents and caregivers to mourn but also teach their children the nature of loss in life.

Please also review AIHCP’s Pet Loss Grief Support Program

 

Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification Article on Pet Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Dogs grieve too over the loss of a loved one or fellow pet.  They are creatures of habit and the loss of a regular pattern or the lack of a particular face can leave them confused.  They will pine the missing person and need to be monitored during these times.

Pet grieve the loss of a loved one like anyone else. Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification
Pet grieve the loss of a loved one like anyone else. Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification

The article,”Pets grieve too – here’s how to help them cope after the death of a loved one” by Karen Rockett states,

Dogs may experience anxiety when a person they spent a lot of time with no longer comes through the door at the same time each evening. Comfort your dog if they come to you for a cuddle.

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification and see if it matches your professional goals in helping others cope with the loss of a pet.

 

Pet Loss Grief Counseling Program Article on Bereavement Time

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Great article that looks at the nature of pet bereavement and the affects on a person.  Some warrant that the loss should be treated as a family loss and that bereavement days may even be needed.  Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Counseling Program

The article, Does the Death of a Pet Warrant Bereavement Time? A Scientist Weighs In, by Yasmin Tayag states

“In 2015, Chantal Dumais arrived at her home near Montreal to find her cat’s body on the floor, smeared with blood. Deeply upset, Dumais asked her employer whether she could work from home the next day. When her request was denied — her employer argued that a pet’s death didn’t warrant bereavement time — Dumais filed a complaint with the local labour tribunal. This July, the tribunal announced the final verdict: Only human deaths justify time off to grieve.

University of Colorado, Boulder professor of sociology Leslie Irvine, Ph.D. would disagree.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification Article on Grieving Pets

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Pets grieve like we do.  They grieve the absence of a friend or owner.  The love between pet and owner is like family.  So while we grieve, we must also be aware that our pets can grieve in their own way.  Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification.  To review the program please click here and see if the program matches your academic and professional needs.

The article, Do Pets Feel Grief? Here’s What To Do If Your Pet Seems Especially Down, by Brandi Neal states

“Pets are a lot like humans, and just like their human counterparts, pets feel grief when they suffer a loss. If your pet is acting differently after a human or animal companion disappears from their life, you might not realize at first that your pet is in mourning. However, a study published in the journal Animals found that pets exhibit specific behaviors when they’re grieving, some of which mimic the five stages of grief — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.”

To read the entire article please click here

Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification Article on Children and Pet Loss

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Good article on the importance of introducing your child to the reality of death via a pet.  Whether a goldfish or rabbit, or even the family dog, it is important to teach your child the reality of death.  Of course, within a sensitive way!

The article, I Refuse To Lie To My Kid About The Death Of A Pet, by Kimmie Fink states,

“In the grand tradition of lying to our children, is the whopper we tell them when a beloved pet has died. Even before I became a mom, I never understood why parents would tell a child that their dog or cat went to live on a farm, ran away, or took a trip, instead of just telling them the truth.”

To read the full article, please click here

please review both our Pet Loss Grief Counseling Certification, as well as our Child and Adolescent Grief Counseling Program

Pet Loss Grief Certification Article on Pets as Family

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Pets to many of us are more than simple possessions or legal property but are partners in life, with true dignity and family status.  They are loved like children and respected with the same integrity any human being has.  This is why such a loss is so painful

The article, Are dogs part of family or just property?,  John Wilcox states,

“For Adela Lopez, the death of her dog, Simon, was more than simply the loss of property.

“That was her child. That’s why this is so hard,” said Lopez’s attorney, Bernard Klimist. “People forget: For a lot of people, their pets are their children.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Certification

Pet Loss Grief Article on Losing a Dog

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Great article on Pet Loss Grief. Losing a dog can be a painful time especially with how close one can become with his canine friend.

The article, “Of grief and renewal, raising and losing a great dog”, by David Jones states

“Grief is an emotion that’s hard to define and even harder to understand. There are levels of it depending on the loss, the depths of some I can’t fathom. But the pattern of healing, I imagine, is the same in each.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Pet Loss Grief Counseling Program

CANINE CONNECTION: Losing a beloved animal can cause prolonged grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

I started off the reply to a reader’s email regarding the passing of her dog with “Sorry for your loss,” but could not get past those four words.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.nsnews.com

To some this is amazing, but for those of us who understand the bond of love and the value of our pet as a family member, then we can truly see the long lasting effects of losing them.

We as a species are so callous to non sentient beings and look at individuals who see the true spirit of our friends as odd.  The reality is love of all creation and equality is key.  Losing a pet can cause long term pain because we understand the value and uniqueness of that friend

If you would like to learn more about pet loss grief then please review

#petlossgrief

What People Don`t Know About Losing A Pet – pet loss grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
pet loss grief
pet loss grief

The article, “What People Don`t Know About Losing A Pet”, by Stan Popovich states

“I read the Bible and I talked to many people regarding this subject for a long time. Based on all of this research, I would say there is a 99% percent certainty that our pets will be there when we die.”

American Institute Health Care Professionals’ insight:

A comforting commentary on pets and you in the afterlife.   How do you feel about the thought of pets experiencing an afterlife?   Do you feel they have a soul similar to ours?  Pet Loss Grief like regular grief is somethings combated by the reassurance that we will see our loved ones again.

To learn more, click here