Dealing with the Death of a Pet

Over time, pets will become reliable friends and companions who are always there for you. In many cases,
a pet becomes a member of the family. Therefore, family members often form very strong bonds with family
pets, feeling for it as they would for another human relative.

The loss of a pet can be extremely difficult. Whether your pet dies of natural or unnatural causes,
you will likely progress through the stages of grieving you would normally feel at the loss of a close
friend or loved one. You should not be ashamed to grieve and mourn. Someone very close to you has passed
away, and you have every right to openly express your feelings about this death.

The typical progression of sentiments that arise after the death of a pet includes the following:

• Guilt
• Denial
• Anger
• Depression

Just like you, your children may feel the above sentiments when a family pet dies. While children often
are more accepting of death because they don’t yet fully understand it, they still will likely mourn
this loss. It is important to be there for your child as he or she experiences and expresses feeling
about the death. You should be open for discussion and willing to accept your child’s method of coping
with the situation.

Contact Us

Dealing with the death of a pet can be difficult for all members of a family. If you would like to learn
more about extending the life of your pet by providing it with the care it needs, then your Austin Vet
Clinic can help. To learn more, contact us today.