What to Say When Someone Loses a Pet?

It is always extremely hard to lose a pet, and it can be difficult to comfort someone going through this. Here, our Ceres vets offer advice on what you can say to someone who loses a pet, and how you can show support.

Consoling Someone Who Has Lost a Pet

It may not always be easy to offer support to those you care about in situations of pet loss, especially if you don't have pets yourself. While you may not understand the feelings that accompany these moments, you can still offer compassion and support to your friend or loved one after they have lost a pet.

It is important to keep in mind that everyone experiences loss differently and even if you have experience with pet loss, you may have grieved differently than others would. While you may feel tempted to compare the loss of your pet to the pet loss of someone else you should resist. This may leave your friend feeling as though you don't view their emotions as their own and that you are minimizing their experience.

You should also allow your loved one to lead the conversation without changing the subject and never make jokes at these times.

Sharing Your Condolences

One thing that is always appreciated during these times is condolence cards. These let the person you care about know that you are thinking of them and that you are there for support. It's not necessary to write a long letter or story, just a quick note to express your thoughts. Here are some ideas for what to write on a card:

Other Ways You Can Show Support

When someone you care about loses a pet you may want to do more than just send a card. Here are some other things that you can do during this time:

• Send a memorial gift such as personalized indoor or outdoor memorial decor.
• If you have photos of your friend's pet you can consider sending them along with the card.
• Send flowers or a houseplant with the card.
• Donate in the pet’s name to an animal organization or shelter.

No matter what you choose to do to show support it is important to watch how the person is coping with the loss of their pet. If you are concerned about their mental health during this time then it may be a good idea to help them look into resources for managing grief.

We realize that losing a pet is extremely hard. Contact our Ceres vets who can offer you support and guidance during these trying times.