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How to Grieve the Loss of Your Dog? Our 10 Tips
Grieving your dog is painful, and anyone who considers a pup a friend, a companion, or a beloved family member knows the intense heartache that comes with losing that friend âš.
Here are 10 tips to help you cope with this pain and the difficult decisions you must make after the loss of your companion.
1. Am I crazy for hurting this much?
Intense grief following the loss of your dog is normal and natural.
Don’t let anyone tell you it’s silly, crazy, or overly sentimental to grieve!
During the years you spent with your dog (even if they were few), they became a significant and constant part of your life.
They were a source of comfort and companionship, unconditional love and acceptance, fun and joy. So, don’t be surprised if you feel devastated by the loss of such a relationship.
People who don’t understand the bond between a dog and their owner may not grasp your pain. But what matters is how you feel.
Don’t let others dictate your feelings: They are legitimate and can be extremely painful. But remember, you are not alone: Thousands of dog owners have gone through the same feelings đđŒ.
2. What can I expect to feel?
Everyone experiences grief differently. Beyond your sorrow and loss, you may also feel the following emotions:
- Guilt can arise if you feel responsible for your dog’s deathâthe “if only I had been more careful” syndrome. It is useless and often wrong to feel guilty about the accident or illness that took your pet’s life, and it only makes resolving your grief more difficult.
- Denial makes it hard to accept that they are truly gone. Itâs difficult to imagine that your dog won’t greet you when you get home, or that they won’t need their evening meal. Some pet owners even worry that their dog might still be alive and suffering somewhere. Others struggle to get a new pet for fear of being “disloyal” to the old one.
- Anger can be directed at the illness that killed your dog, the speeding driver, or the vet who “failed” to save their life. It is sometimes justified, but when taken to the extreme, it distracts you from the important task of resolving your grief.
- Depression is a natural part of grieving, but it can leave you feeling helpless against your emotions. Extreme depression drains your motivation and energy, leading you to dwell on your sorrow.
3. How can I cope with my feelings?
To grieve your dog, the most important step you can take is to be honest about your feelings.
Do not deny your pain, nor your feelings of anger and guilt. Only by examining and accepting your emotions can you begin to overcome them.
You have the right to feel pain and sorrow! Someone you loved has died, and you feel lonely and bereaved. You also have the right to feel angry and guilty.
Acknowledge your feelings first, then ask yourself if the circumstances truly justify them.
Bottling up grief does not make it disappear. Express it. Cry, scream, hit the floor, talk about it. Do what helps you the most.
Don’t try to avoid the grief by not thinking about your companion; instead, remember the good times. This will help you understand what the loss of your pet truly means to you.
Some find it helpful to express their feelings and memories in poems, stories, or letters to their dog.
Other strategies include reorganizing your schedule to fill the moments you would have spent with your furry friend, preparing a memorial such as a photo collage, and talking to others about your loss.
4. Who can I talk to?
If your family or friends love dogs, they will understand what you are going through as you grieve.
Do not hide your feelings in a misguided attempt to appear strong and calm!
One of the best ways to put your feelings into perspective and find ways to manage them is to talk to someone else.
Find someone you can talk to about what your best friend meant to you and how much you miss them, someone with whom you feel comfortable crying and grieving.
If you don’t have family or friends who understand, or if you need more help, ask your vet or a local animal welfare organization to recommend a pet loss counselor or a support group like SOS bulle d’amour.
You can also check with your church or hospital for grief counseling. Remember that your sorrow is authentic and deserves support.
5. Is there a right time to euthanize your companion?
Your veterinarian is the best judge of your pet’s physical condition.
However, you are the best judge of your dog’s daily quality of life.
If your dog has a good appetite, responds to attention, seeks their owner’s company, and participates in play or family life, many owners feel it is not the time.
On the other hand, if they are in constant pain, undergoing difficult and stressful treatments that don’t help much, not reacting to affection, unaware of their surroundings, and showing no interest in life, a caring owner will likely choose to end their beloved companion’s suffering.
6. Should I stay during the euthanasia?
Many believe it is the ultimate gesture of love and comfort you can offer your pet.
Some find relief and comfort in staying themselves: They were able to see that their pet passed peacefully and without pain, and that they are truly gone.
For many, not witnessing the death (and not seeing the body) makes it harder to accept that the animal is truly gone. However, it can be traumatic, and you must honestly ask yourself if you will be able to handle it. Uncontrolled emotions and tearsâthough naturalâmight upset your pet.
Some clinics are more open than others to allowing the owner to stay during the euthanasia.
Some vets are also willing to euthanize a pet at home. Others have gone to an owner’s car to administer the injection.
Again, think about what will be the least traumatic for you and your pet, and discuss your wishes and concerns with your vet.
7. What should I do next?
When a pet dies, you must choose how to handle their remains.
Sometimes, certain shelters accept remains, but many require disposal fees.
If you prefer a more formal option for your four-legged companion, there are several.
– Burial at home is a popular choice if you have enough property for it. It is economical and allows you to design your own funeral ceremony at a low cost.
However, municipal regulations generally prohibit burying pets, and it is not a good choice for renters or people who move frequently.
For many, a pet cemetery provides a sense of dignity, security, and permanence. Owners appreciate the serene setting and the grave maintenance.
Cemetery fees vary depending on the services you choose, as well as the type of dog you have.
– Cremation is a less expensive option that allows you to handle your pet’s remains in various ways: bury them (even in the city), scatter them in a favorite spot, place them in a columbarium, or even keep them with you in a decorative urn (of which there is a wide variety for pets).
Check with your vet, a pet store, or a phone directory for options available in your area.
Consider your living situation, personal and religious values, finances, and future plans when making your decision. It is also wise to make these plans in advance, rather than rushing through them in the midst of grief.
8. What should I tell my children?
You are the best judge of how much information your children can handle regarding the death and loss of their dog. Don’t underestimate them, however.
You may find that by being honest with them about this loss, you will be able to dispel some fears and misconceptions they have about death.
Honesty is important. If you say the animal was “put to sleep,” make sure your children understand the difference between death and ordinary sleep.
Never say the animal has “gone away,” because your child might wonder what they did to make them leave and wait for their return with anxiety.
This also makes it harder for the child to accept a new pet. Help them understand that they won’t be coming back, but that they are happy and not in pain.
Never assume a child is too young or too old to grieve. Never criticize a child who is crying; don’t tell them to be “strong” or not to be sad.
Be honest about your own sorrow; don’t try to hide it, as children might feel obligated to hide their own grief as well.
Discuss the matter with the whole family and give everyone the opportunity to work through their grief at their own pace.
9. Will my other pets be grieving?
Pets observe all the changes that occur in a family and certainly notice the absence of a companion.
Animals often form strong attachments to each other, and the survivor of such a pair may seem to be grieving their canine friend. Cats mourn dogs, and dogs mourn cats.
You may need to give your surviving pets extra attention and love to help them through this time.
Keep in mind that if you introduce a new pet, your surviving animals may not accept them right away, but new bonds will form over time.
In the meantime, the love of your surviving pets can be wonderfully soothing for your own grief.
10. Should I get a new dachshund right away?
In general, the answer is no. It takes time to work through grief and loss before attempting to build a relationship with a new dog.
If your emotions are still raw, you may resent a new arrival for trying to “take the place” of the old one, because what you really want is to have your old companion back.
Children, in particular, may feel that loving a new dog is “disloyal” to the old one.
When you get a new sausage dog, avoid getting a “lookalike” dog, which makes comparisons all the more likely.
Don’t expect them to be “just like” the one you lost, but let them develop their own personality.
Never give your new arrival the same name or nickname as the old one. Avoid the temptation to compare your new companion to the old one: It can be hard to remember that your beloved companion also caused some trouble when they were young!
You should only adopt a new dog (puppy or adult) if you are ready to move forward and build a new relationshipârather than looking back and mourning your lost little dog.
When you are ready, choose a dachshund (from a breeder or a rescue) with whom you can build a new, long, and loving relationship, because that is what having a pet is all about đ„°
– Bruno is a life coach and founding member of DoxieLife. He can support you through the process of grieving your dog. You can contact him by writing to: contact@doxielife.co.uk
Last modified on 07/15/26
