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Dealing with the Loss of a Pet

Nothing can prepare you for the death of a pet. They have stood by your side every day through thick and thin, loving you unconditionally until the day they passed away. Their death will undoubtedly leave a hole in your life (and probably on your sofa too!).

No two people grieve the same. Over the next few days, weeks and months, you will go through the various stages of grief at your own pace. Children will deal with the loss in their own way, and it’s important for you to work with them to understand their feelings.

The other animals in your home may also grieve, as they notice the absence of their once constant companion.

Dealing With Loss

However grief may affect your life, we’re here to help. Take a look at the below pages to guide you through every step of the grieving journey. Find out how to explain the death of a pet to a child, how to tell if other pets are grieving and when is the right time to get another pet.

Do Other Pets Grieve?

Until you experience the death of a pet, you may have never considered the fact that other pets will grieve. Dogs will miss their best friends, and cats will long for each other. You may even find that animals will grieve for other species.

When is the Right Time to Get Another Pet?

There is no definitive answer for when to get another pet. Every family is different so only you can know when the time is right. We're here to give you some help and advice on how to know when it’s the right time.

Telling a Child About the Death of a Pet

A pet dying may be a child's first encounter with mortality. The loss of a precious pet can spark many other questions and worries from the smaller members of our families. Read this article to discover how to tell a child their pet has died.

Take a look at our recommended reading for when a pet diets, including a book on grief and losing a pet by leading figure in empathy and grief education, Doris Zagdanski.

Grief Factsheets

If you’re in need of some extra support in the days and weeks following your pet’s death, take a look at these handy guides written by leading figure in grief and empathy education and author of When Pets Die: It's Alright to Grieve, Doris Zagdanski.