Losing a pet can cause significant heartbreak and grief, as they are often a constant source of companionship, unconditional love, and joy in our lives. Their personalities can be a source of wonder and delight. Thus, when they are gone, the loss can be unbearable.
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).
For most people, grief becomes less intense over time, and they are able to function day to day. They will still have waves of sadness, but over time, the good days outnumber the bad. For a few unlucky souls, though, the intensity of the initial grief remains for months, or even years.
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.
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.
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.
Right after they die, there is a transition period that can take up to two weeks. This may be the time that you see, feel, hear, and/or sense their presence. Know that it is okay. They are just making the transition in their own way and reminding you they love you.
Distract yourself by creating new, different, interesting habits or patterns of living. This may help you learn to live without your pet and ease the pain. You may also find Comforting Prayers for the Loss of a Beloved Dog or Cat helpful.
They will only feel a needle prick, but some felines may be more sensitive to this than others. If your vet injects the euthanasia drug directly from a needle and syringe, again they may react slightly to the needle prick but will not experience any pain when the drug is being injected.
Ways to Process Your Grief
Give the popular poem, "The Rainbow Bridge," a good read. Cry if you need to. Surround yourself with other people who knew and loved your cat. Don't be afraid to say you are sad or angry and acknowledge the hurt you are all feeling together.
The Rainbow Bridge (as beautifully encapsulated in a poem of the same name - see below) is a mythological place to which cats (and other pets) go upon their death, eventually to be reunited with their carers.
Our cats are our companions, and a constant presence in our daily lives. We experience the love they provide, delight in their behavior, and share life events. It's no surprise that when they are no longer with us, we are often left with a significant void that can impact our daily life.
If the death is unexpected, most vets will keep the body for you for a couple of days while you decide what you want to do. You can choose to take your cat back home to bury, perhaps in a favourite spot in the garden, or you can opt for a pet cemetery.
Crying after the death of a pet is a normal and healthy way of grieving. When we experience the death of a pet, the impact is profound, and at times it can be overwhelming.
The truth is, cats understand affection just like any other animal, and domestic cats might actually see us as their real-life mommies and daddies. A 2019 study revealed that kittens evince the same behavior towards us as they do their biological parents.
We strongly recommend giving your surviving cat time to adapt to life without their companion and avoid getting a new cat or kitten straight away. Getting a new cat soon after the death of another cat could cause your pet even more stress.
During the dreams, the deceased pets often relayed messages and feelings telepathically, conveying comfort and reassurance. The deceased pet may lovingly impart to their owners that they're OK and that the owners will be okay, too.
Perhaps the most vital step in coping with the emotions you will feel upon the loss of your pet is acknowledging them. “Let yourself feel–write down your feelings, cry, be angry, call someone. Know that it is all right to be so upset over losing your pet and that it takes time to heal,” wrote Susan K.
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.
Guilt is a normal response to the death of a pet. We want to make sense out of what has happened and as a result, we frequently blame ourselves. Feelings of guilt should subside as you progress through the grieving process.
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.