How to Deal with the Loss of a Pet

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Last Updated: November 25, 2025 References

Losing a beloved pet who has been with you for many years can be an incredibly shocking and painful experience. The suddenness of their departure often leaves you unprepared for what comes next and overwhelmed with grief. Here are some steps to help you begin to move forward after the loss of your cherished companion.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Controlling Your Emotions

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Breathe deeply. Take deep breaths, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Focusing on your breathing helps you calm down after a long cry and soothe you after experiencing distressing emotions. Deep breathing is shown to help reduce anxiety and anger. It can also help you get a better night's sleep! ^{[1]
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- One breathing technique is the 4-7-8 technique. Breathe in slowly for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and then exhale slowly for 8 seconds.
- Another breathing technique is the box method. Breathe in slowly for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds, and then exhale slowly for another 4 seconds. ^{[2]
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2
Take a walk. Length and location do not matter; exercise in any form will help take your mind off your pet. Walking moves your whole body and helps relieve stress. You don't have to do intense exercise while grieving, since you may not be in the mood. Walking is a relaxing activity that helps keep your mind off the situation. Exercising helps improve your mood and makes you calmer. ^{[3]
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Mental Health Foundation
UK charity working towards good mental health for all.

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- While walking, think back to the day you lost your pet, and relive the whole event in your mind. This helps you process what happened. Eventually, it will become less painful to recall.
- You can also take the time to enjoy nature. Look around at all the natural scenery and enjoy the fresh air outside.
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Water is very refreshing and soothing when you're sad. Drinking water when you’re sad also helps you calm down. Dehydration is shown to raise the chance of anxiety or depression.^{[4]
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Close your eyes and remember your happiest moments with your pet, such as the funny habits they had and the love they showed you. If tears come, let them. It is perfectly acceptable to cry. Through this, you recognize that your pet was a significant and sorely missed part of your life. Reminiscing over a lost pet can allow you to process their death more.
- Look through pictures you took of your pet, or watch some videos you took of them.
- Don't hide your emotions; this will cause you to feel worse, and it is not good for your mental health. Instead, allow yourself to feel your emotions. Cry when thinking about your pet, or talk to someone. You may also keep a journal. ^{[5]
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  The Humane Society of the United States
  National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare
  
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5
Avoid blaming yourself for what happened to your pet.^{[6]
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Research source} Remind yourself that it wasn't your fault and that these events lie out of your control. You were going to have to say goodbye to your pet someday. If your pet died in an accident, avoid thinking about what you could have done to save the pet, since these events are out of your control. ^{[7]
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- If your pet died due to a long-term illness, remember that prolonging the pet's life may have caused more pain to it; dying peacefully was its best way to go. ^{[8]
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Discuss the loss with your family and friends, or talk to someone else you know who has experienced something similar. They will understand what you are feeling and can provide advice to help you move forward, or even just comfort you with their presence. Do not leave yourself alone with your thoughts for too long: constant rumination will hinder your efforts to move past the loss of your pet.
When you think of your pet, try hard to smile. Do not let the loss of your pet mar all your precious memories with them. They were a cherished and beloved part of your life, and you have the freedom to honor their lifetime however you see fit. Moving forward does not mean forgetting your pet altogether. With time, the tinge of sadness will fade from your memories together, and it will become easier to remember them with a smile.^{[9]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Learning to Move Forward

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Remember that the world hasn't come to an end. Life will move on, even if you don't. It may seem impossible, but you are capable of living without your pet's physical presence. You won't be able to cuddle, hug, feed, or sleep with your pet anymore, but their imprint on your life lives on. They have likely impacted you in positive ways; continue to live life positively for your pet.
- If you are religious, you could tie your pet's death to your faith. You may believe in the afterlife, or you may think your pet has been reincarnated. You can choose what to believe to gain peace about your pet's death. ^{[10]
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Hold a pet funeral if you feel comfortable doing so. Having a funeral for your fallen companion can help you and your family gain closure while honouring the life of your pet. There are dedicated organisations that can help arrange cremations for pets and memorialize them in a pet cemetery. Still, if you don't want to cremate your pet or use one of these services, you could bury them in your garden (if it is legal in your area).^{[11]
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Official UK government website
Official website for the public sector of the UK government

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- If you have previously lost other pets, you could bury them together to reunite them (again, if it is legal in your area).
You're probably thinking that nothing can ever replace your pet. That's true, but you can still give another animal a chance to make their place in your heart.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Helping Others Deal with Loss

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Talk with your friend or family member about the loss. Encourage them to smile more and avoid becoming completely overcome by sadness. If your friend or family member just lost their pet, you'd want to help them get through it, accept it, and move on.
- If your friend or family member doesn't want to talk about it and gets angry or upset, it is best to leave them alone, but try to get them to talk about it later on.
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Propose the idea of getting another pet gently, and approach the situation with patience.
- Do not get your friend or family member another pet without consulting them first, as they might not like the idea and reject the animal. Although it is fine to ask them to consider this, you must also respect their feelings. Everyone takes different amounts of time to process their grief, and it is important to give them space and time to decide what they want.

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Tips

Don't try to forget your pet, that won't help. Instead, give them a place in your heart to never forget.

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