Why losing a pet can be harder than losing a relative?

It could mean the loss of a source of unconditional love, a primary companion who provides security and comfort, and maybe even a protégé that’s been mentored like a child. The loss of a dog can also seriously disrupt an owner’s daily routine more profoundly than the loss of most friends and relatives.

Why is pet grief so hard?

When a beloved pup passes away, the loss can feel unbearable. Because dogs are so much more than pets. As psychologist Julie Axelrod writes in a blog post the loss of a dog is so painful because people are losing a little life that we were responsible for as well as a source of unconditional love and companionship.

How do you cope with the loss of a pet?

Grieving the loss of a pet

1. Explain your pet’s loss to young children in a way they’ll understand.
2. Allow you and your family to grieve.
3. Make room for expressing your emotions.
4. Create a service or other ceremony to honor your pet.
5. Maintain your other pets’ schedules.
6. Reach out for support.

Does pet grief get easier?

The grieving process after the loss of a pet The lows are likely to be deeper and longer at the beginning and then gradually become shorter and less intense as time goes by. Still, even years after a loss, a sight, a sound, or a special anniversary can spark memories that trigger a strong sense of grief.

How does losing a pet make you stronger?

When you lose one that is close to you, something inside shifts. And yet the death of a family pet can remind us of how vulnerable, precarious and precious life is. It’s that process of acceptance and letting go that builds the resilience necessary to navigate an array of life’s obstacles.

Is it normal to cry after losing a dog?

Crying after the death of a pet is a normal and healthy way of grieving. When we experience the death of a pet, the impact is profound, and at times it can be overwhelming.