Experts Discuss the Deep Emotional Impact of Pet Loss and How to Support Grieving Owners

Pet bereavement can feel as profound as losing a human loved one, with guilt and loneliness often compounding the grief.

Losing a pet can affect people as deeply as losing a human loved one, reflecting the strong bonds between humans and animals.
Experts advise offering empathetic support and avoiding dismissive clichés that can make grieving pet owners feel isolated.
Grief over a pet's death is not tied to the size, type, or species of the animal, as connections with pets vary widely among individuals.
Feelings of guilt are common among bereaved pet owners, often stemming from a sense of responsibility for the pet's death or disappearance.
While getting a new pet may help some owners heal, it is not a universal solution and cannot replace the unique bond with the lost animal.