Navigating pet grief: Understanding loss and finding support

For many, pets are not just animals, they’re confidants, companions, and beloved members of the family. When a pet passes away, the grief can feel as profound as losing a human loved one. Yet, this kind of loss is often underestimated or misunderstood. Understanding the depth of pet grief and exploring supportive resources, such as finding a support group or working with a coach, can help those grieving find healing and renewed purpose.

Why pet loss hurts so deeply

Losing a pet means losing a daily companion, a source of comfort, and often a consistent part of your life’s routine. Pets provide unconditional love, emotional support, and companionship that’s often more reliable than human relationships. When that bond is broken, it creates a void that is both emotional and physical.

The grief that follows can include a wide range of emotions: sadness, guilt, loneliness, anger, or even relief, especially if your pet had been in pain. It’s important to understand that all of these responses are valid. The loss of a pet is a major emotional event, not a minor inconvenience.

Grief is rarely straightforward. Whether it’s the loss of a pet, a loved one, a relationship, or even a job, grief doesn’t follow a neat timeline. The emotional stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance can come and go in waves. Some people may experience guilt, especially if they had to make the decision to euthanise their pet. These feelings can become overwhelming and difficult to process alone.

Disenfranchised grief and pet loss

Grief after a pet’s death is often a form of disenfranchised grief, meaning it isn’t always socially acknowledged or validated. While some people may understand your pain, others might minimise it with comments like, “It was just a dog,” or “You can get another one.” These responses can make you feel isolated or even ashamed of your grief.

This lack of recognition can prevent people from fully mourning. Suppressing grief, especially over something as intimate as the loss of a pet, can stall the healing process.

How life coaching can help with grief

While therapy is often associated with deep emotional healing, life coaching is an increasingly valuable resource for those navigating grief. A life coach doesn’t replace a therapist, but they can help bridge the gap between emotional pain and practical life rebalancing. Life coaching provides structure, perspective, and forward movement, which can be especially helpful in times of emotional paralysis.

Here are a few ways a life coach can support someone through pet grief - or any kind of grief:

1. Providing a safe, non-judgmental space

A good life coach listens deeply, without minimising your experience. Whether your grief stems from pet loss, a breakup, or a career setback, being heard without judgment is the first step toward healing.

2. Helping you reframe and rebuild

Life coaches guide you in identifying your values, reframing loss, and rediscovering meaning and direction. After a loss, it can feel like your world has stopped. Coaching gently helps you restart.

3. Supporting the grieving process

Grief is not something to 'get over', but something to move through. A coach can help you develop healthy rituals, memorial ideas, and daily practices that honour your loss while moving forward.

4. Goal setting and emotional resilience

Once you're ready, a coach can help you set new goals, not to distract from your grief, but to slowly re-engage with life in meaningful ways. They can support your efforts to reconnect with joy, creativity, or even the idea of welcoming a new pet when the time is right.

5. Ongoing accountability and encouragement

Life coaching provides consistent support, especially valuable when grief makes it hard to stay motivated or grounded. Having someone walk with you through the ups and downs can make all the difference.

Moving forward with support

Grieving the loss of a pet is deeply personal, and no two experiences are the same. What’s important is recognising that your grief is valid, and that support is available. Whether through therapy, peer support, or working with a life coach, you don’t have to go through this alone.

Grief will always take time, but with the right tools and compassionate guidance, it’s possible to not only heal but to grow. The memory of your beloved pet will always remain a part of you, and the love you shared can become a source of strength as you move forward.