While losing a pet is painful and overwhelming, unfortunately, it can also be a very lonely process, as many people don't understand the feeling of loss and don't recognize that the grieving process for a pet can be as long as that for a human.
Grieving a Pet Can Hit Harder Than The Loss Of A Person, And That's Okay. Many pet owners know that our connections with animals can be on an emotional par with those we share with other humans – and scientific research backs this up.
The death of a pet can hurt as much as the loss of a close relative or friend. It is normal to feel devastated. Often, individuals who live alone take longer to grieve because their companion played such an important role in their lives.
Turns out it's actually quite normal for humans to experience more intense pain at the loss of a pet than that of a close friend or even a relative. For many people, the death of a pet is comparable in almost every way to the loss of a loved one.
However, the loss of that companion can be devastating and traumatic. Humans develop a lasting attachment with their pets, which breaks at the loss of the pet. Regardless of the manner of death, a pet owner may perceive the death as traumatic and experience distress or exhibit posttraumatic stress symptoms.
Psychologist Julie Axelrod has pointed out that the loss of a dog is so painful because owners aren't just losing the pet. It could mean the loss of a source of unconditional love, a primary companion who provides security and comfort, and maybe even a protégé that's been mentored like a child.
Why Pet Loss Hurts. “One reason why losing a pet is such a deep loss is because animals' love is so unconditional and accepting,” she said. But it's also because so many aspects of people's lives are impacted. “Every single facet of life is part of the loss,” she explained.
Although the specific reason for feelings of guilt differ from person to person, almost everyone feels some guilt after the death of a pet. Most often, we believe we had more control over the situation than we actually did, and this is the cause of our guilt.
And yet the death of a family pet can remind us of how vulnerable, precarious and precious life is. It's that process of acceptance and letting go that builds the resilience necessary to navigate an array of life's obstacles. We hone an ability to adapt to the evanescence of our lives with grace and hope.
You may be surprised to have so much grief from the loss of your dog, or to be experiencing grief before your dog is even gone. This grief is completely normal, and may be misunderstood by the people around you. They may accuse you of overreacting. It is, after all, 'just a dog.
Losing a pet can be a traumatic experience for any child. Many kids love their pets very deeply and some may not even remember a time in their life when the pet wasn't around. A child may feel angry and blame themselves—or you—for the pet's death.
Broken heart syndrome occurs from an intense surge of stress hormones related to an emotional event — including the death of a pet. This extreme stress response can mimic symptoms of a heart attack and may include: chest pain. shortness of breath.
The grief of losing a beloved pet is real, and it hurts. Don't minimize your grief. Allow yourself to feel all of the emotions that come with loss, without judging how quickly or slowly you are moving through the stages. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, so just let yourself ride it out.
Symptoms of acute grief after the loss of a pet can last from one to two months, with symptoms of grief persisting up to a full year (on average).
While religious views around the world vary, Christianity has traditionally held that animals have no hope of an afterlife. But Pope John Paul II said in 1990 that animals do have souls and are “as near to God as men are”.
Acute grief symptoms after the death of a pet can last from one to three months and general symptoms of grief can continue, on average, for six months to a year This grieving period can vary significantly from person to person and can be much longer or shorter.
Remind yourself of the good times with your pet. Remember how much they loved and trusted you. And try to forgive yourself. The guilt may not disappear immediately, but by reminding yourself the truth of your decision, it will surely recede over time.
In such circumstances, some pet carers find that they experience flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for a long time after the loss of their companion.
Choosing to end the life of a suffering pet is a traumatic decision. Even when made with the most compassionate of intentions, it's quite natural to feel a certain degree of guilt. These feelings are a testament to the degree of love and devotion we felt towards our pet.
Understand that crying for your pet is natural. It's normal, and though painful, it's part of the grieving process that's necessary for you to heal. “Most people who have bonded with a pet know the comfort and joy animals provide. When we lose a pet, part of us feels like it's dying.
Why is it so devastating to lose a pet? The companionship of a pet is unlike any other relationship we have. Every emotion a pet has – joy, fear, anger, sorrow, impatience, or contentment – is pure. It's experienced in that one unique moment, and then it's let go to make way for the next one.
Pet Loss and Mental Health
Some people experience mental symptoms of grief, which may include confusion, trouble focusing, constant dwelling on your pet, or thinking you see or hear your pet. Loss of an animal companion can also lead to anxiety and depression for some people.