Recovering After The Death Of Your Pet
People who don’t own pets often have a hard time understanding the bond between pet and owner. You know that personally. Your pet is more a valued member of the family than anything else, and you loved having your dog, cat, or other animal at home.
That’s why the death of a pet can hurt so much. Even though others might not get it, you are devastated by the loss and grieving for your pet. This is entirely normal, and there are some ways you can help get through this process more easily. Before you can do that, you need to understand what grief can look like.
Why Losing A Pet Can Be Devastating
One of the great things about having a pet is how much they brighten your day. Even if they aren’t technically a support animal, a pet can bring companionship, joy, and relaxation to your life. That’s why HelpGuide.org explains that it’s entirely normal to feel intense grief after the death of your pet.
What can your grief look like? Here are some common responses to such a loss:
Loss of appetite and weight loss or dehydration.
Insomnia or at least trouble falling asleep.
Wanting to cuddle or sleep with the pet’s toys.
Guilt as you wonder if you could have done something different.
Not remembering that your pet has died.
Feeling sad, angry, or depressed.
However, keep in mind that grief and mourning are always unique. You might not feel guilty and instead focus on anger and sadness.
Tips For Self-Care & Grieving
While it’s normal to mourn the loss of a beloved pet, there are ways you can help yourself recover faster — and some dangers to look out for.
Feeling angry, sad, or guilty can force you to ignore your own needs. You must continue taking care of yourself as you go through the grieving process. Part of this means paying close attention to your physical needs, particularly if you have a tendency toward depression or substance abuse.. While comfort foods and “crashing” on the couch can help, both will ultimately hurt you. That’s why you need to get exercise, eat right, and get a healthy amount of sleep regularly. You’ll only feel worse (and feel it longer) if your body starts to suffer.
Pet-loss.net lists several tips specifically for recovering after the loss of a pet, including:
- Be honest with yourself about how you feel. You need to process those negative emotions before they can go away.
- Find ways to destress such as doing a favorite sport or hobby.
- Talk to people you love and trust about the loss and ask them for support.
- Look into a burial for your pet and go with the option that seems best — and affordable — to you.
How To Move Forward
Even if you follow the tips above, you are not going to get through the grief overnight. This pet was a member of your family, so it will take some time before you are ready to move forward. PsychCentral.com explains there are some things you can do to help the grieving process move more quickly:
Be patient with yourself. Give yourself space and time needed to get through this.
Write down your thoughts and feelings about your deceased pet, especially the reasons why you got them in the first place.
Gradually get rid of the pet’s belongings, donating whatever you can to local charities or friends.
Consider creating a small memorial in your backyard to honor your pet.
You Will Get Through This
It will be rough after the loss of a pet, but there are ways you can help yourself get through it all. Focus on your health and needs with some self-care, then take your time with the grieving process. Although you’ll still miss your friend, you will eventually stop hurting and be able to move forward.
by:Janice Miller
Janice is a guest blogger. She is passionate about helping shelter dogs find permanent homes and regularly writes about pet safety. Her website is: www.safetytoday.org