How To Cope With the Loss of Your Pet

The death of a pet can be devastating and how to cope with the loss of your pet is something you must know. Little things like returning home every day, and not having that special greeting. Or small items such as toys, bedding, or food bowls remind you of the love you had for your special friend. Coping with the loss of your pet includes allowing these sad feelings to rise to the surface so that you can deal with your grief.

Stages of the Grieving Process

There are five stages to the grieving process. Knowing these stages will allow you to cope better with them when they arise:

Denial

Denial and disbelief are brought on by the initial shock of losing your pet. This feeling has a numbing effect, and it acts as a defense from the reality of coping with what you are facing

Anger

The feeling of anger is a combination of emotions that cause exhaustion, stress, and anger. Anger may develop into you placing blame on others for the death of your pet, particularly after pet euthanasia.

Bargaining

Bargaining with yourself over the feelings about your loss, and what you could have done to prevent it.

Depression

When the realisation of your pet’s death dawns on you, you may experience depression. Try not to be too concerned about these feelings, as they are natural and they should pass as you cope with the situation..

Acceptance

When your feelings of depression do pass, you will enter a phase of acceptance. This is the final stage of the grieving process and it means you’ve accepted your pet’s death as a reality. You can now remember your pet fondly while being able to continue with your life.

Coping with Bereavement For Your Pet

Grieving for your lost pet should be an active process and the more you can do to help yourself get over the event, the better. Until you reach the point of accepting your pet’s death, you can take the following actions to get through your grief:

Talk to Someone.

Find friends, family, or a support group that you can talk to about the loss of your pet.

View Euthanasia as Being a Help.

Realise that pet euthanasia relieved your friend’s pain and suffering and that it was the most humane thing to do in the circumstances.

Organise a Remembrance Ceremony.

Having a ceremony to remember your pet can be a great way to help deal with your grief.

Take Your Time.

Everyone copes with grief at different speeds. Take your time, and do not feel under any pressure to move on quickly.

Remember Your Family.

Give your family, especially your children, the opportunity to remember your pet and share their thoughts and feelings.

Seek Advice From Your Vet.

Your vet will be able to answer any queries or concerns that you may have. It is good to discuss things with your vet before the pet euthanasia process so that you are prepared for how you will feel.

Make a Pet Memorial.

Memorial urns following cremation, planting trees, a marker near a special spot, or making a donation to an animal charity. Doing some of these things can help keep the memory of your pet alive, and help you cope with the grieving process.

Seek Help.

If your grief is getting the better of you, and you feel that your grieving is too prolonged, you might want to seek professional help.

Stay Healthy.

It is easy to allow the normal things in life to fall away during the grieving process. Ensure that you maintain a healthy diet. Get plenty of exercise, rest, and relaxation.

Maintain Your Normal Routine.

It may seen difficult at the time, but it is critical to maintaining as normal a routine as possible.

Cloud 9 Home-Visit Vets

One way to help cope with the loss of a  pet is to make the last days of your pet as pain-free and comfortable as possible is essential. Cloud 9 Vets will provide everything you need. The focus on gentle pet euthanasia at home enables you to say your goodbyes to your pet in familiar surroundings. They can also help you can arrange aftercare for cremation and the return of the ashes.