How to Support a Friend After the Loss of a Pet

When someone we love experiences pet loss, it can be hard to know what to say or do. We want to take away their pain — to fix it somehow — because seeing our friends hurting hurts us, too. But when it comes to grief, the most powerful thing you can do is simple: Just be there for your friend.

Here are a few simple ways you can provide comfort for someone mourning the loss of a pet.

Your friend doesn’t need you to make their grief better; they just need you to let it be. Let them cry, get angry, feel guilty, or fall silent. Let them feel all the feels. Grief is messy, unpredictable, and exhausting. There’s no shortcut through it. Sometimes, the most healing thing you can do is to sit quietly beside them and just listen.

One of the best things you can say to a friend grieving a beloved pet is “I love you. And whatever you need, I’ll be here for you.” That’s it — no need for advice or trying to fix their pain. Just listen and be there for them as they heal.

Your role is to be a companion to your friend through their grief, walking beside them rather than leading them through it. Whether that means sitting in silence, sharing stories about their pet, or checking in days and weeks later, your steady support matters more than you might ever know.

Let your friend know they’re free to express the full extent of their emotions around you, whenever and however they need. Say things like: “I’m here for whatever you need — whether it’s talking, crying, or just sitting together.”

And if they need space, respect that too. You can drop off coffee, cookies, or a small care package at their door. Thoughtful gestures that say “I see you, and I’m here for you” without demanding anything in return can mean the world to a friend grieving their precious pet.

Even when our hearts are in the right place, platitudes like “He lived a good life” or “She’s in a better place” can unintentionally hurt more. Avoid phrases like “he’s just a dog” or “she was just a cat.” These words can trivialize the bond your friend shared with their pet.

Their pet was family, and they shared daily routines, care, laughter, and love. Bonds with pets often run deeper than some human relationships. Your friend is experiencing a real loss, and they deserve the space and compassion to grieve it fully.

Grief for a pet isn’t something people “get over.” It’s something they learn to live with, one day at a time. Healing from the loss of a pet doesn’t occur in a straight line — it’s a bumpy road with several ups and downs along the way and no set end in sight. So give your friend time to grieve, no matter how long they need.

Little by little, they’ll find ways to live with their loss. Your job is simply to be present — laugh with them, cry with them, and be a rock for them through this difficult time. If your texts go unanswered, don’t be offended. Understand that your friend might be in the depths of grief and not feel like responding. But don’t give up on sending the occasional text to let them know you’re still there and ready to offer any support they need.

By being patient, compassionate, and present, you will let your friend know they don’t have to go through their grief alone and that you’re here for them.