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.
Acknowledge your grief, and give yourself permission to express it. Allow yourself to cry. If you live alone, the silence in your home might feel deafening, but acknowledging it will allow you to prepare for the emotions you might feel. Suppressing your feelings of sadness can prolong your grief.
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).
It's common to think that people don't get that sad after loss of a pet. But research tells us that often, the grief that people feel following loss of an animal companion feels the same as grief following loss of a human companion. In some cases, people report even more intense feelings.
Because of the special relationship we have with our dogs, grief of a beloved dog can often be more intense than the death of a family member, and coming to terms with the change will take as long as it takes.
Because dogs are so much more than pets. The loss of a dog is so painful because people are losing a little life that we were responsible for as well as a source of unconditional love and companionship. There's a reason that most emotional support animals are dogs.
Broken heart syndrome is a real medical condition. It's also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and it can affect anyone of any health status. Broken heart syndrome occurs from an intense surge of stress hormones related to an emotional event — including the death of a pet.
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.
The Loss of a Dog Is Like Losing a Friend or Relative
Some people consider their dog to be a part of their family, and may grow attached to their pets the way they would human family members, so it makes sense that the grieving process could be similar.
Pets are beloved members of our families, often spending a decade or more sharing their joy and unconditional love with us. Our pets are sometimes the only ones who have stood loyally beside us through life's ups and downs. The loss of a pet is just that, a profound loss, and the grief is very real.
Sudden and unexpected pet loss can cause pet carers to exhibit physical and emotional symptoms of shock. If your bereavement has just happened – or you're reading this on behalf of someone it's just happened to – you may find yourself shaking, experiencing palpitations, headaches, stomach aches, sleeplessness and more.
“There is no set timetable for grieving.” Your grief may come in waves. You may begin to feel better, but then the grief may be triggered again, for example, “by hearing of someone else losing a pet, a name or a special day, such as your pet's birthday,” Sileo says. 2. Don't try to hide or ignore sadness.
The pets that we had to say goodbye to are alive in heaven right now in their spiritual bodies and we will see them again if we accept Jesus as our Savior. Your Pet Is Not Gone Forever.
Don't say “Now you can get a new pet!” Any version of “When are you getting a new puppy?” or “Let's get you another kitten” is in very poor taste (and timing). Grief is normal and needs to happen before people can heal enough to invest their time, love and energy into another pet.
An Interspecies Bond Like no Other
One thing that makes animal death so difficult is that your pet is just like another family member. Here are some facts about the bond between humans and animals that may explain your grief.
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.
Self-care, engaging in mourning practices, and talking to others who relate can help you through the process of grieving a pet. Losing someone you love can feel devastating, and the same goes for the death of a cat, dog, or other types of pets.
Grief, confusion, anger, guilt and depression are all typical responses to the death of a loved one. Only recently, however, have researchers come to realize that a pet may also be considered a loved one and a family member, and that its death may evoke similar and often equally intense emotions.
Research suggests that when people are in anguish over the loss of a pet, disenfranchised grief makes it more difficult for them to find solace, post-traumatic growth, and healing. Disenfranchised grief seems to restrain emotional expression in a way that makes it harder to process.
Although the expression of grief can differ from one person to another, there are many predictable manifestations. You may experience physical symptoms such as aches, pains, and pressure (including chest tightness and headaches); exhaustion; nausea; loss of hunger; and sleeplessness, as well as crying.
The consequence of pet loss can impact a person's mental health, emotional well-being, and ability to function. Studies show that pet owners may experience depression after the death of their pet. People may also experience an increase in depressive or anxious symptoms.
But does your dog understand the depth of love you have for him or her? According to Dr. Brian Hare, a canine cognition specialist, our dogs do know we love them. Dogs and humans have the ability to form a special neural connection.
It may bring up many different emotions, so it's usually helpful to acknowledge these feelings and give yourself the time and space to work through them. You may feel guilty about euthanizing your pet, even if it was the most compassionate choice. Many pet owners experience guilt and regret after a pet passes away.