Grieving for an Animal
Sep 28, 2026
Grieving for an animal can be just as painful and complex as grieving for a person. In my work as an animal healer and animal communicator I am often struck by how people can feel dismissed in their grief by those who don’t understand the deep bond shared between them and their animal family member. How many times have you heard the words, “It’s just a cat” or “you can get another dog”. These throw away comments can leave an animal guardian feeling invalidated as well as adding to the grief that they already bear from their loss.
Grief can manifest prior to a loss, during illness and decline and after an animal has passed away. It can feel like a physical and emotional pain and create mental and spiritual distress. Grief is often bound up with guilt, because we are often asked to make the hardest decisions for the wellbeing of our animals. I talk to many people about the guilt that they are carrying relating to the timing of a passing, or if they could have acted differently or discerned something sooner.
These conversations may not be easy, but I do believe that they are a vital part of the grieving process. When someone is truly heard, whatever their emotions, they have an opportunity to clear some heaviness and gain support for their sore hearts.
What I see from the animals involved is concern for their special person and they often wish to console and comfort, even when they are in spirit. The power of unconditional love that they share is palpable. Their perspective on the seasons of life and the journey of transformation is really extraordinary and deeply healing for those they leave behind.
Who gets to say how deeply we feel loss? We don’t need to conform to what anyone else thinks is the correct amount of grief or the right amount of time to grieve before moving on. We don’t need to explain why we need ceremony and memory, to mark anniversaries or create memorials.
One of the things that can be so helpful is the freedom to explore and express the love you feel, without a fear of being judged. I would say, don’t feel you need to explain to anyone why it matters to you to sleep with your dog’s collar under your pillow or to keep your cat’s favourite toy close by. 14 years after her loss, I still sleep with a clipping from my horse’s tail right beside my bed. It brings me comfort and I’m not going to apologise for that!
Whether you are approaching a loss, you have an ageing animal in your life or you have already lost your beloved animal family member, having an animal communication session could be really supportive for you and your animal. During a session you can ask them questions, send messages to them, receive messages from them and explore what they need and what you need at such a tender time. Distance is no barrier to this process and even if they have already crossed the rainbow bridge, contact is still possible.
If you are grieving at this time, my heart goes out to you. Know that support is available and that your grief is valid and completely natural. If you would like to talk to me, you can contact me or book in for a free discovery call. My Animal Communication and Animals in Spirit sessions are available worldwide via video link.
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