Pet Loss and Mental Health
When grief becomes overwhelming—recognizing when you need more support.
I thought I was going crazy. Weeks after my dog died, I still could not function. I cried at work. I could not sleep. I kept thinking I saw him. It was not until a therapist told me this was grief—real, valid grief—that I started to heal.
Pet loss grief is real grief
Research confirms what pet owners know: losing a pet can be as painful as losing a human family member. The bond is real, and so is the grief.
Yet society often minimizes pet loss:
This dismissal can make grief harder to process.
Normal grief symptoms
**Emotional:**
**Physical:**
**Cognitive:**
These are all normal in the weeks following a loss.
When grief becomes complicated
Seek professional help if:
Why pet loss can trigger bigger issues
Pet loss can surface other grief:
If your reaction feels out of proportion, it may be layered with other things. That is okay—and treatable.
Finding help
**Pet loss counselors:** Specialize in animal bereavement.
**General therapists:** Look for ones who explicitly take pet loss seriously. Ask before booking.
**Support groups:** Online and in-person options. Sharing with others who understand helps.
**Hotlines:** Many vet schools and organizations run pet loss support hotlines.
**Your doctor:** If physical symptoms are severe, rule out medical causes.
What therapy can help with
You are not overreacting
If someone tells you to "just get another pet" or implies you should be over it: