Animal grief: what to do when your dog dies and how to get over this great loss

 Animal grief: what to do when your dog dies and how to get over this great loss

Tracy Wilkins

"How do I cope with missing my dog who died?" Unfortunately, there is no magic formula that will solve everything overnight. After all, your little dog was your best friend and companion for all hours. Together, you lived many moments of joy and surely some of your happiest memories involve your beloved pet. Therefore, animal grief isas serious as mourning for a person.

It's hard to come home and no longer find your four-legged friend jumping for joy at seeing you or snuggling up next to you while you're just watching TV. Only those who go through the loss of a puppy know how difficult it can be to deal with longing. Overcoming animal grief and understanding what to do when your dog dies is not a simple task, but some tips can help you outin this moment of pain.

The stages of animal grief range from denial to acceptance

You may have heard of the five stages of grief that a person goes through when they lose someone special. These are the different emotional stages that an individual normally goes through from the news of the death of a loved one to their acceptance. When a dog dies, regardless of the cause, the guardian also goes through the stages of grief. The first of these is denial. Right after hearing the news of a death, the guardian goes through the stages of grief.If you've been told that your dog has died, your first instinct is to disbelieve it, followed by anger - after all, it's hard to calmly accept that your best friend is gone.

The third stage is bargaining, a tricky time when the person starts "bargaining" through thoughts like "if I do/do such and such a thing, my pet can/could live." This feeling can develop into guilt, but it is basically a way of consoling oneself and trying to reverse the situation that, deep down, the guardian knows there is no turning back. The fourth stage of grieving for a pet isThis is the time when the sadness is at its most intense, and it is a dangerous period, as without support and care it can last for a long time. Finally, the last stage of the animal grief phases is acceptance, when the guardian understands that they will always miss their beloved dog, but accepts that they need to move on and learn to live with the loss.

As difficult as it may be, allow yourself to grieve for your pet

Accepting animal grief is the first step that the guardian must take to overcome the loss. Many people prefer to hide their feelings because, in this way, it is easier to pretend that nothing happened. However, this is not the best way. Hiding the grief may even help at first, but the truth is that there is no escape from it. The best thing the guardian can do when the dog dies is to deal with the loss.Cat, dog or any other pet will be missed in everyday life and this period is essential to adapt to the new reality. Going through the experience of grief helps the guardian to better understand their feelings and thus learn to live with them. Therefore, however painful it may be, dealing with animal grief is important for your mental health.

How do I cope with missing my dog who died? Always seek the company of those you love

How do you get over the grief of an animal? An essential tip at this time is to lean on the people you love. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your family and close friends. Words of support can help you find comfort in this difficult time. Some people prefer to isolate themselves for a while and there is no problem in taking some time alone to assimilate your feelings and get over it.understand how to cope with loss, but don't push away the people you love and look to them for some kind of relief. In the early days, it can be difficult to stay at home as you will no longer see your little dog running down the hall and following you around all the time, so it can be nice to have the company of someone by your side to ease some of that initial feeling of loneliness.

During animal grief, don't be afraid to talk about the dog that is gone

A very important tip in the process of how to deal with missing my dog who died is to talk about him. As much as you may feel like crying whenever you remember your friend, it's good to put out your feelings and all the memories you have with him. Talk about the time you took your dog to the beach, about the position he was in when he slept and even about the memories you had with him.venting is a good way to relieve some of the weight that exists inside you. Putting the memories into words makes you remember how your puppy was happy, loved and had a wonderful life by your side. Seeking out people who have also experienced grief for an animal is another tip to better deal with this moment. Who has already gone through the loss of a pet?understands well what you are feeling and can help you cope better with this process.

Seek professional help to cope with grieving an animal in the best possible way

Some people invalidate the feeling of animal grief and think that those who suffer so much from the loss of a pet are exaggerating. However, this is a big lie. The pet is a member of the family just like any other. Therefore, its loss is capable of causing serious problems to the owner's psychological. Grief for a pet is as strong as any other. So don't have to worry about it.be afraid to seek professional help to better deal with this problem. Seek a psychologist to talk and learn how to better deal with homesickness. Do not be ashamed to take care of your mental health at this time, as this is more than necessary to overcome the sadness of the loss of your best friend.

Adopting another dog may be a good idea after the animal mourning period

In the first few months after the departure of a dog, some people think they will never be able to get another animal because they are afraid of going through the loss all over again. Other individuals, on the other hand, decide to adopt another dog quickly because it is a way to suppress the emptiness. The truth, however, is that no decision should be made when you are still experiencing pet grief. Ahe presence of a dog in the home brings many benefits in everyday life, so do not make hasty decisions about ever adopting a pet again. On the other hand, it is essential to live the grief and understand that dogs are not replaceable. There is no point in adopting a dog to feel better about the loss of the other.

It's recommended to wait until you're over the loss of the animal and are coping better with the longing. At that point, it's worth considering dog adoption again. A little dog by your side can bring a lot more joy to your life and makes your days better. As we explained, no dog can be replaced, but having a new four-legged best friend is sure to be of great benefit.help then and at any time.

Children also experience animal grief

A child and a dog in the same house create a strong connection. The two spend the day playing and having fun together. In addition, the dog teaches the little one many things such as responsibility and caring for others. Undoubtedly, growing up with a puppy brings a lot of learning and happy moments in a child's life. That is why the loss of the animal also affects your life. Animal grief touches withthe child who, at first, doesn't quite understand what's going on and where their dog has gone. So, as much as dealing with your own grief over a pet is already a difficult process, know that the child is going through the same thing and also needs support at this time.

How to explain to a child that the dog died?

It is not easy to tell a child that their dog has died, so many people omit this information and adopt expressions such as "he went to a special place" in an attempt to explain to the child that the pet is no longer at home. However, this is not the best way. The ideal is to take advantage of this moment to explain to the child the concept of death. Understanding this early on can evenOf course, you don't have to go into the most intense details, but explain that it's a phase of life and that, as much as the dog will be missed, it's the beautiful memories that stay forever.

It is worth mentioning that it is very important to validate the child's feelings. After all, he is also going through animal grief, so be ready to listen to him and answer all his questions. Show him that he can talk about the pet with you and feel comfortable to expose his feelings. In the end, the child can help you overcome animal grief and vice versa.

The dog misses another dog who died just like us

Missing the dog that died is not something that only people experience. When you have more than one dog at home, they have a very strong bond that unites them. Therefore, when one dog dies, the other is missed, as well as the guardian. Research published in the journal Scientific American has proven that the dog shows some very clear behavioral changes when his four-legged friend dies.This happens because the dog misses the company that the other provided, the games they played together and all the moments they spent together. Therefore, we say that the dog understands when the other dies and also goes through animal mourning. Cat also misses when another cat dies, which shows that mourning is not just a human process.

When a dog misses another dog who has died, it usually becomes sadder and more depressed. It may isolate itself and interact less with people, even its guardian. We may see a dog that is anxious, stressed, has no appetite and vocalises more with sad howls. As the dog misses another dog, it may look around the house for its friend and become confusedAlthough at times he may isolate himself, he may also be more attached to his owner because he is needy.

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My dog misses his "brother": how to help him at this time?

Your dog misses his friend just as much as you do, so he needs your help to cope with the void. To do this, it's important to be present. Your dog is used to always having a companion, so spend more time with him and give him lots of affection. Although it's difficult during pet bereavement, try to maintain the routine of the dog who has stayed. Change stresses dogs, sotry to walk the dog at the time he is used to, keep doing the activities he needs to do and keep meals at the same time.

In fact, the dog's diet deserves special attention. It is common for the sad dog to lose his appetite and eat less, which is very bad for his health. Therefore, always offer the dog food and check how his diet is going. Finally, if you notice that the animal grief is very intense and it does not improve over time, ask for help from a veterinary behaviorist.

How to help a relative or friend who is going through animal bereavement?

Dealing with animal grief is always a little easier when you have people willing to help you. So if a relative or friend of yours has just lost their dog, you can try to help them in some way. But what is the best way to do this? The best thing to do at this time is to be present. Pay attention to how the guardian reacts. Some are more angry and some are more sad. byit is important to know when to give words of advice and when to withdraw. After all, the person also needs privacy during grief and having someone on your tail all the time can be a bit suffocating.

Try to approach your friend whenever he or she gives you a break. Be there mainly to listen to him or her, because letting off steam will do him or her good. Be welcoming and always available. Ask if he or she needs help with everyday activities, such as going to the market, or if he or she just wants to watch a movie without talking. Finally, respect his or her time. Each person deals with animal grief in a different way.way, so don't rush her recovery, it has to be all in good time.

What to do when the dog dies? Learn what to do with the animal's body

In the midst of mourning a pet, it is quite difficult to think of anything other than how much you miss your dog. However, it is important to take care of some details to close this cycle and ensure a dignified death for your pet. Many people have questions about what should be the fate of the body of the dog that died. Should he be buried? Can this be done at home? Can the dog be buried at home?If you want to know what to do when your dog dies, here are two options:

1) Pet crematorium: are places specialized in carrying out the cremation of pets in a careful and respectful way. You cannot, for example, throw the ashes of an animal into rivers and soils, as it is an environmental crime. So, the pet crematorium is the best option, as everything will be done correctly. The ashes can be destined for the guardian and there is also the possibility of holding a wake, which can helpIt is worth checking if there is a pet crematorium in your area.

2) Pet cemetery: the pet can also be buried in a special cemetery for pets. These places have authorization from the city hall to carry out the burial in a safe way, both for the environment and for the local population, since burying decomposing animals in the wrong way can be a danger to public health. That's why burying dogs in the backyard is not a good idea. ThePet cemeteries also often offer pet wake.

You can always ask a trusted family member or friend to help you search for a pet crematorium or cemetery, so the weight doesn't just stay on you. In the first few months, it may seem like you'll never get over the loss, but know that no grief is everlasting. Hold on to the good memories of your puppy and remember that your love for each other is unique and will always exist.

Tracy Wilkins

Jeremy Cruz is a passionate animal lover and dedicated pet parent. With a background in veterinary medicine, Jeremy has spent years working alongside veterinarians, gaining invaluable knowledge and experience in caring for dogs and cats. His genuine love for animals and commitment to their well-being led him to create the blog Everything you need to know about dogs and cats, where he shares expert advice from veterinarians, owners, and respected experts in the field, including Tracy Wilkins. By combining his expertise in veterinary medicine with insights from other respected professionals, Jeremy aims to provide a comprehensive resource for pet owners, helping them understand and address their beloved pets' needs. Whether it's training tips, health advice, or simply spreading awareness about animal welfare, Jeremy's blog has become a go-to source for pet enthusiasts seeking reliable and compassionate information. Through his writing, Jeremy hopes to inspire others to become more responsible pet owners and create a world where all animals receive the love, care, and respect they deserve.