Why Grieving the Loss of a Pet Is So Hard
Image by Yerlin Matu on Unsplash
I once had a friend tell me that losing her dog was harder than losing her father.
This might surprise some people, but not me. The loss of a pet can bring about a very real and unique type of grief. For some people, the loss of a cherished pet might be one of the hardest things they ever go through. This might be especially true if you’re highly sensitive (read more about why Highly Sensitive People might struggle with grief here).
Here are 4 reasons why we grieve so much for the loss of a pet.
Your Pet Is Not Just A Pet
Your pet is more than just a pet. It’s your furry family member, your loyal companion, your trusty sidekick. Your pet shows you unconditional love and for some people, this may be the only time they experienced unconditional love.
When you lose your pet, you’ve lost more than an animal. Sometimes it means you’ve lost your best friend and confidant.
You’re Not “Allowed” To Grieve The Loss Of Your Pet
As a whole, society is terribly unsupportive when it comes to grief. This is especially true when it comes to the loss of a pet. Many people don’t understand the depth of pain or sadness that you might feel. This is called disenfranchised grief, a term used to describe the grief we feel that isn’t socially acceptable or universally understood.
Grief is an isolating experience for most people. When we are experiencing disenfranchised grief, we often feel even more alone and unsupported.
Your Life Revolved Around Your Pet
Everything you did, every plan you made, every way you designed your day took your pet into account. Whether it was to make sure they were fed, take them out for potty breaks, or give them enough attention or play time, you made sure their needs were a priority in your life.
Their passing creates a type of void in your life that is very real and can take time to close.
Your Pet Was Part Of Your Daily Routine
As a grief therapist, I always say that the intensity of our grief is often a direct correlation to the impact the death had on our daily lives. When you think about your daily routine, what is one of the first things you do? I’m guessing that caring for your pet makes that list. After your pet has passed, your daily routine changes. In the beginning, those changes can be a constant reminder of the loss of your pet and trigger the waves of grief that make it feel like you’ll never heal from this loss.
Going Through Grieving Journey
I tell clients who are grieving that grief is a journey. It is a path that we are walking - though we are walking it by ourselves, we are not the only ones on that path. There are people ahead of us and people behind us on the path, because grief is a universal human experience.
It is common to feel isolated, unsupported, and misunderstood when we are grieving. If you are struggling with the loss of a pet, please reach out and schedule an appointment for support.
