People often mean well, but their words can sting when you’re grieving a beloved pet. Here’s how to navigate comments that hurt, set gentle boundaries, and surround yourself with understanding support.

Grieving a beloved pet can feel confusing when the pain suddenly returns more strongly after you thought you were coping. You may wonder if you’re going backwards — but you’re not. Grief often feels worse before it feels better, and understanding why can help you ride the waves with more compassion and less fear.

If you’re grieving the loss of a beloved pet, you may be feeling things you didn’t expect. You might feel like you’re falling apart. You may feel exhausted, angry, numb, or overwhelmed by waves of sadness that show up without warning.

And worst of all, you might be wondering if something is wrong with you for feeling this way.

Let me say this gently but clearly:

You’re not broken. You’re grieving.

And grieving the loss of a pet is real, valid, and often deeply painful.