Tips for Coping With Pet Loss

Losing a pet is one of the hardest things many of us will ever go through. A pet’s love is steady, unconditional, and pure. When we lose our best friend, it’s not “just a pet” we lose. It’s a confidante who picked us up when we felt down, looked at us without judgment, and was by our side through thick and thin.

Friends and family members might have difficulty understanding the depth of loss when it comes to a pet, telling you to “move on” or “get over it” as if love has an expiration date. It doesn’t, so let’s rewrite that narrative.

Here are some tips to help you pull through the grief of pet loss — and to remember your best friend with joy and laughter rather than tears and sadness.

There’s no right way to grieve. There’s only your way.

Cry if you need to. Sob if you have to. Don’t let anyone tell you tears are a weakness. They’re proof that you loved deeply and that your love still lives on.

If you need rest, take it. Grief is exhausting, and it takes a toll on both body and spirit. So curl up with a blanket, take time off, watch your favorite feel-good show — you’ve earned the right to heal in whatever way feels right.

Not everyone will understand your grief, and that’s OK. Turn to the people who do — the ones who can be by your side without trying to fix your sadness.

Let them know what you need: a listener, not a problem solver. Sometimes, the greatest comfort during times of grief is having a loved one who’s willing to sit with you through the pain.

You’ll never truly “get over” the loss of your pet, and you shouldn’t have to. But you can learn to live with it and still find ways to weave your pet’s memory into your life in gentle, lasting ways.

Try journaling. Start an entry with “Today I’m feeling …” or “Today is my second week without you.” Writing helps you name the feelings that are too big to carry silently.

You can also create a memorial space in your home for your beloved friend filled with photos, their collar, a favorite toy, or a candle. Or if gardening is more your speed, plant a flower or tree that blossoms year after year in your pet’s honor.

You might not be ready to adopt again right away, and that’s perfectly fine. But you can still visit a shelter, spend time with the animals, and tell them about your best friend. Let their warmth remind you that love still exists, even if it feels far away right now.

You can also give back. Donate pet food in your pet’s name or bring treats to shelter staff in their honor. These small acts of kindness can turn grief into healing.

And when the time comes — when it feels right to adopt again — you’ll know.

Keep talking to your beloved friend. Walk your usual route. Keep their spirit in the rhythm of your life. There’s no timeline for grief and no rule book for love.

Finally, hold yourself gently. Your pet brought out the best parts of you, and those parts are still here and worthy of care.

Their love lives on — in you.