“It’s the price we pay for loving something,” she explains.

Why Is Losing a Pet so Painful?

Loss is loss, whether it’s human or animal, and it’s very rough.

In some ways, losing a pet can be even harder than losing a person.

Our animals love us without cause or concern for our failings or shortcomings.

They’re by our side, no matter what, through thick and thin.

For many people, a pet is the most unconditional love out there.

How Long Does Pet Grief Last?

There’s no firm answer about how long it takes to get over the loss of a pet.

She explains that “everyones grief journey is unique….there is no formula or timeline.”

But so you can move past our feelings, we have to move through them.

Inevitably, that takes time.

And in turn, that will help you get past them, little by little.

The first step is to let go of expectation.

Allowing yourself to experience your emotions is the best way to deal with them.

Kuehnle recommends self soothing and practicingself-regulation.

She also suggests breathing exercises, and spending time getting to understand your narrative around the loss.

Additionally, journaling about your feelings can help you move through them.

Of course, you don’t have to move through the grief of losing a pet alone.

Therapists can also offer you valuable tools for experiencing your emotions.

“I encourage people to be okay with doing something that feels right to YOU,” says Kuehnle.

I held that teddy bear whenever I missed my cats, and it made me feel so much better.

You might have to facilitate the grieving of others in your family.

“Developmentally, they will have a different grasp of what this means.”

She suggests utilizingThe Dougy Centerto provide age appropriate information to your child(ren).

Help normalize and validate for them, model appropriate emotion release and regulation."

And if the grief isn’t turning a corner, consider therapy.

The loss of a pet is the loss of a serious relationship, so expect it to be impactful.

You’re likely to feel sad for some time, and those feelings might ebb and flow.

You’ll always remember your pet, and there are many ways you could honor them.

Whether they have two legs or four, our love lives on when our loved ones pass.

How to stay healthy around pets and other animals| healthy pets, healthy people | cdc.

Helping your grieving pet| vca animal hospital | vca animal hospitals.