How to Help Your Pet Cope With Loss
When you lose a pet, everyone in the family feels the effects, even the surviving animals. During this time, you may notice your other furry friends exhibit symptoms of grieving. Although you can’t communicate with them the same way you might with the rest of your family, here are ways you can ease their transition.
3 Ways to Help Surviving Pets Grieve
1. Maintain Consistency
After you lose a pet, the surviving animals will likely struggle with the change in the house. To ease their anxiety and confusion, try to keep your remaining pet's routine as normal as possible. Stick to the same feeding and walking times, even if they don’t seem up to it. This continuity will help them get through an otherwise strange period.
2. Pay Attention to Their Body Language
Your animal’s behavior will likely change for a time after you lose a pet, so pay attention to the cues they give you and respond accordingly. If your furry friend seems a bit needier than usual, you can indulge them. Just don’t overdo it, or they might begin to associate that kind of behavior with rewards. Conversely, if your pet doesn’t want to play as much as usual, don’t force it. With time, they should return to their old self.
3. Look Out for Warning Signs
Much like grief can have physical effects on humans, your cat or dog may experience health-related side effects after you lose a pet. Keep an eye out for a significant loss of weight, lethargy that continues for longer than a few weeks, sudden aggression, vomiting, or diarrhea. If your animal exhibits these signs, bring them to a veterinarian for an examination.
When you lose a pet, finding a beautiful way to pay tribute to their life can help ease feelings of grief. To that end, the team at Oahu Pet Crematory are here to help. With almost 30 years of experience, they help owners create touching memorials to honor the passing of their animal companions and provide pet cremation. Visit their website to learn more about their services, and have your veterinarian call (808) 371-7531 to coordinate cremation for a pet.
About the Business
