Losing a furry best friend is never easy. Here’s how you can help when pet lost.
After a long, happy life together, it’s hard to imagine saying goodbye to your pet. When a friend, family member, or love interest is faced with this difficult time, it’s understandable to not know what to say. Below are some ways that you can comfort a loved one who has lost a pet.
How do You Help a Loved One Grieve a Pet?
Losing a pet is heartbreaking, but small gestures can bring your loved one moments of joy.
1. Be a listening ear
Sometimes there is nothing you could say to fill the void of a pet lost. Talking is a healthy way to process grief. So, say nothing at all. Allow your loved one to cry, laugh, or be angry.
2. Send a small gift
A card, flowers, or care box can brighten anyone’s day. If they have other pets in the house, check American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)’s list of toxic flowers before sending a bouquet.
4. Offer to help
Acts of service is one of five love languages from the 1992 book by Gary Chapman. If your friends feel loved when others do things for them, offer to cook a meal, walk their other pet, or help clean up around the house. For some, the thought that you put into offering to help might be enough to bring them joy.
5. Honor their pet
It can be touching to receive a custom pet portrait, locket, or framed photograph to remember and cherish a pet. It takes no money at all to write down a few things you remember and liked about their pet—bonus points if it’s a funny memory that might make your loved one smile. If you just met or started dating, this could be difficult. Instead, ask if they would like to share their favorite pet memories with you.
6. Check-in
Grief can be uncomfortable for everyone involved. It can be tempting to sidestep the situation while your loved one grieves, but checking in on them is meaningful and important. A simple text to check in or invite them to a local coffee shop can go a long way.
7. Don’t have expectations
Grief comes and goes in all shapes and forms. Don’t expect your friend, family member, or love interest to express their grief in a certain way—or within a set amount of time. There is no set time frame that grief can last, and moments of grief can unexpectantly make an appearance even years later.
RELATED: How Pets Get You Through Tough Times
Do Pets Grieve the Loss of Other Animals?
Humans aren’t the only ones that grieve the loss of a pet. Experts say cats and dogs can grieve the loss of a family member or companion—human, feathered, scaled, or furry. Pets can’t always express their emotions in a way that is easy for you to understand, so recognizing small changes in their behavior might be the first sign they’re feeling blue. Some telltale signs that your pet is feeling down might include:
- Changes in vocalization
- Decrease in activity and increase in sleeping
- Changes in appetite
- Aggression
- Changes in bathroom habits
- Lack of grooming
- Lack of interest
If you notice behavioral changes in your pet, it’s best to visit the vet to rule out any underlying health concerns. If it turns out your pet is down in the dumps after the loss of a companion, adopting another pet doesn’t need to be the first and only option. Instead, try these tips:
- Pets, especially cats, love routine. Try to serve meals around the same time, and have a dedicated time for walks or play.
- Offer a special treat, topper, or food at mealtime.
- Get your WingPet a new toy, and aim to engage in playtime every day.
Socialization is an important part of our emotional well-being. If you’ve recently pet lost, FetchaDate is the perfect place to connect with like-minded pet lovers. If you’re not ready for another WingPet, that’s okay too.
