Grieving the Loss of a Pet: Why It Hurts and How Therapy Helps
By Growth Era Counseling & Wellness
“It was just a dog.”
“Are you really still upset?”
“Why don’t you just get another one?”
If you’ve ever lost a beloved pet, you’ve likely heard some of these well-meaning — but incredibly hurtful — responses. The truth is, the grief that comes from losing a pet is real, deep, and worthy of care.
At Growth Era Counseling & Wellness, we support clients through all forms of grief — including the often overlooked heartbreak of losing a cherished animal companion. Whether your loss was recent or years ago, whether it was sudden or expected, your pain matters. And your healing deserves space.
Why Pet Loss Hurts So Deeply
Pets aren’t “just” animals. They’re family.
They’re daily companions, quiet witnesses to your life, and sources of comfort during your hardest moments. They don’t judge, they don’t leave, and they often become a person’s safest connection.
When a pet dies — or is rehomed, lost, or even diagnosed with a terminal illness — it can feel like your world is unraveling. This is especially true if your pet helped you through trauma, illness, loneliness, or mental health struggles.
Grief around pet loss is real and valid, because the relationship was real and meaningful.
Common Reactions to Pet Loss
Everyone experiences grief differently, but common emotional responses include:
Intense sadness or crying
Guilt (e.g., “Did I do the right thing?” “Should I have noticed sooner?”)
Anger or frustration (at the situation, medical care, or others’ reactions)
Loneliness, especially if your routine was centered around your pet
Numbness or shock, particularly after a sudden loss
Relief, if your pet was suffering — and then guilt for feeling that relief
Many people also report feeling disoriented, because the loss disrupts everyday patterns: waking up, going for walks, feeding times, evening cuddles. These small moments add up to a massive absence.
Why Pet Grief Is Often Disenfranchised
Disenfranchised grief is the kind of grief that society doesn’t always “allow.” It’s minimized, dismissed, or not taken seriously — which can make the pain even harder to bear.
You may find yourself asking:
“Why does this hurt so much?”
“Why can’t I just move on?”
“What’s wrong with me?”
Nothing is wrong with you. The world might not always understand the depth of your pain, but that doesn't make it any less real. Pet loss grief is a legitimate form of mourning, and you deserve the same gentleness and validation you’d offer anyone experiencing loss.
Grieving a Pet Is Still Grief
Whether your pet lived 2 years or 20, whether they passed from illness, old age, or sudden tragedy — you have the right to grieve. There is no timeline. There is no “right” way to feel.
Grief may show up in waves:
The first walk without them
Coming home to silence
Seeing their leash, bowl, or favorite spot
Remembering their unique personality, sounds, or quirks
Some days you’ll feel okay, and others might bring fresh tears. Both are part of healing.
How Therapy Can Help with Pet Loss
At Growth Era Counseling & Wellness, we offer therapy that holds space for this often invisible grief. You don’t have to “get over it” — you’re invited to move through it, with support.
Therapy can help you:
Name and validate your emotions
Process guilt or trauma around the loss
Develop rituals for honoring your pet’s memory
Navigate family dynamics or differing grief styles
Feel less alone in your experience
Heal without forgetting
Whether you're a child grieving their first pet or an adult mourning a lifelong companion, your grief is worthy of time, attention, and care.
When the Loss Isn’t Death
Grief can also show up when:
A pet must be rehomed due to life circumstances
You’re facing the anticipatory grief of a terminal diagnosis
You’re navigating end-of-life decisions and don’t know what to do
These “living losses” carry their own weight and complexity. Therapy can help you honor that pain without shame or judgment.
You Don’t Have to Grieve Alone
- At Growth Era Counseling & Wellness, we offer trauma-informed, grief-sensitive therapy across the state of Connecticut
- We understand the unique bond between humans and their animal companions.
- Whether your loss is recent or decades past, we’re here to support you
Schedule a consultation with Growth Era Counseling & Wellness today