6 Tips to Help Cope With the Loss of a Pet

Losing a pet is a heartbreaking time. For some, this is an intense period of mourning and grief, which can be compounded when children and other pets are also affected by the loss. Here are some mental health tips to help your family cope following the death of your dog, cat or other pet.¹

1. Let Yourself Grieve Without Judgment

Grief is complicated and can involve a lot of mixed emotions. In addition to sorrow and loss, the death of your furry friend and family member can also sometimes provoke feelings of anger or guilt.

If your pet has been suffering for a long time, you might even feel relief, or your emotions might be so frazzled and worn out that all you feel is numb. In any case, it's important to recognize that your feelings are normal and to allow yourself to feel them and let them run their course. Your response to the loss of your pet won't look like anyone else's, so don't judge your grief — or allow anyone else to judge you — based on comparison with anyone else.

2. Take as Much Time as You Need

Some people recover from pet loss relatively quickly and are ready right away to get a new pet. Others may take weeks, months or even years to recover. Again, don't compare your grief to anyone else's, and don't allow others to pressure you to “get over it" or “move on."

In the same vein, understand that it's ok to get a new pet when you feel ready, even if that's right away. Getting a new pet won't dishonor the memory of the one you lost or make you disloyal to them, just as the new pet won't take the place of the one you lost. But it can provide a distraction and a source of comfort as you work through your grief. It's also ok if it's a long time before you feel ready for another pet — and even if you never feel ready.

3. Talk to Someone Who Understands

Grief over the loss of a companion animal, especially one with whom you had a particularly close bond, can be made worse by lack of understanding from other people in your life. Reaching out to other pet parents who understand the intensity of your loss will remind you that you're neither alone nor abnormal, and it can provide a healthy outlet to talk through your loss.

If you don't have anyone in your life who you can talk to, you can try these resources:

• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss Support Hotline
• Pet Loss Support Hotline at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
• ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline at 877-474-3310
• Find a support group at the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement website.
• Find other pet loss support resources at Lap of Love.

4. Memorialize Your Pet

A ritual like a memorial service can aid healing and help provide closure. Whether you invite friends and family to join you and remember your pet as you spread their ashes, or have an informal gathering of people who loved your pet to share their memories, it can help a lot to allow those who care to share in your grief.

You can also keep a lasting memorial for your cremated pet by keeping their ashes in an urn or in keepsake pet cremation jewelry. But it can be particularly challenging for those who chose communal cremation to gain a sense of closure because there are no tangible remains to lay to rest or keep as a reminder. Here are a few ways to create a lasting memorial to honor your pet:

• Create a scrapbook, or organize your photos into a photo book of your pet.
• Plant a tree in their honor, or plant perennial bulbs that will remind you of your pet each time they bloom.
• Purchase or make a personalized pet memorial stone to place in your garden or keep on a shelf or mantel.
• If you're able to plan ahead, prior to cremation, collect a lock of your pet's fur along with their paw prints.

5. Involve Your Children

The death of a pet can be especially traumatic for children. It's important to be honest with your kids about what happened, involve them in the process of saying goodbye and allow them to talk about and work through their pain.

It's also important to allow your child to witness your own grieving process, to include them in a memorial service and to encourage them to create their own lasting memorial of the pet. And remember to consider your child's feelings when deciding whether to get another pet, taking care not to push them if they're not ready.²

6. Maintain Your Routines

While it can be tempting to dwell on your grief and let other responsibilities slide, making an extra effort during this time to see to your self-care needs will help you avoid sliding into depression. Getting outside, getting exercise, letting yourself enjoy your hobbies and spending time with understanding friends and family are some of the best things you can do for your mental health during times of hardship.¹

If you have kids or other pets, keeping up their routines will provide a sense of normalcy and help them recover from their own sense of loss.²

The CareCredit Credit Card Is Here to Help

Saying goodbye to your beloved pet can be one of the hardest things we do, but the CareCredit credit card can be there for you when you need it most.* Whether it's your first veterinary visit or your last, CareCredit is here to help you manage the costs of your pet's care. Find a veterinarian near you that accepts CareCredit and download CareCredit Mobile App today to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U hub for more helpful articles, podcasts and videos.

Author Bio

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a freelance writer and novelist with eight years of experience. Her work has appeared on Hill's Pet, Chewy and AKC.org and more.