What is the best way to get over the death of a beloved pet?

Question

My gorgeous little cat died on June 23rd this year (six weeks on Friday) and I thought I was handling it quite well. Just lately though I have been thinking of her more and more and even though I have her ashes with me I still miss her so much. Is getting another cat the answer or can anybody tell me how they coped with the loss of their pet. Thank you!

Thanks to all of you who answered seriously this is a big help to know that I am not the only animal lover here. To all the others who think it's funny to see a cat dying in your arms when you are rushing it to the vets then all I can say is I hope that heartache is just around the corner for you too and let me know when it is so that I can laugh at you then.

In answer to alleycat my cat was only four years old and she had a brain tumour that got worse over the last few weeks of her life. It was so bad near the end that she couldnt walk without falling over all the time and I know she was in so much pain. At least i know that she is pain free now.Thanks for all the messages of comfort, you have all been a great help. xx

Answer 1

I'm so sorry for your loss! when my cat daisy was knocked down by a car i was absolutely crushed, some people don't understand that losing an animal can be so painful. i got my cat mortimer shortly afterwards and it did help in the long term but i found it quite hard at first. you won't forget but the pain will slowly go. do whatever feels right, if you feel ready to get another cat then do as you must miss that companionship. p.s ignore the twattish comments left by a couple of others, you always get them on here!!

Answer 2

I'm So Sorry To Hear About Your Loss.
I Had 2 Cats Die and I Took It Pretty Hard. You Never Really Get Over It...But You Can Move On. I Got Another Cat After A While And Slowly Learned To Love Him Too. He's 9Yrs Old Now His Name Is Faith. So It Does Get Better With Time.
I Think You Should Get Another Cat. You will Warm Up To Him/Her Slowly..But It Will Definitely Make You Feel Better.


I Hope You Feel Better. Cats Are Very Loving. If They Could Talk They Would Be Our Best Friend.

Answer 3

Well I've never lost a cat to death but my kitten ran away last summer and I was really hurting for a long time. You can't let this get you down because you will just become more depressed as time goes on. I know it's hard especially when you really loved your cat but (like everyone says) you should reflect on the good life it lived. After my cat ran away and didn't come back, I decided that I wanted another kitten, not to take his place but to keep me company. I got another kitten and he is the most adorable and loving kitten I have ever had. I still miss my other one but sometimes you just have to move on no matter what.

Answer 4

It is hard getting over the death of a pet! I have lost animals before and sometimes when I come across one of their pictures, I get real sad. One of the cats I have now, I've had for 15 years. I can't even imagine my life without her. She is apart of the family, literally. Although you can never replace your lost cat, finding another cat can soothe the pain. You will find comfort in adopting another cat, especially if you rescue it from a shelter. You will feel better knowing that this new animal in your life will have the chance to experience a loving home. I feel your pain. You will feel better, it just takes time.

Answer 5

It takes time,some people find it easy to go out and get another pet straight away others don't, I lost my dog last December a beautful German Shepherd he was almost 14 years old, I got another dog (a rescue) just 2 days later (in the past I have waited longer) and I shouldn't have got him so soon I felt terribly disloyal which made the pain of losing my other dog worse, I hasten to add that I absolutely adore this little chap now and have also got another GSD puppy. I still have my dogs ashes, I will bury them in the garden but not until I am ready to.
Take your time.

Answer 6

I lost 3 of my beloved kitties within the last year and a half. Although time eases the pain a bit, there really is no getting over it. I still think of them. The worst part is, there will never be another cat like the one you just lost. Getting another cat helps a little. Its nice to have a little buddy to love . . . There's nothing to do but survive and move on. Best wishes.

Answer 7

Bury the ashes in your garden (or a friends garden). Stop concentrating on the loss, just remember the joy and love your friend brought into your life.

If need be, get another cat, but don't expect the new pet to be an instant replacement for your old pet.

I know it hurts, I lost my cat about 12 weeks ago, I miss him, like I miss his mother and my first cat who died 15 years ago, but you must move on. Live your life and be happy, your cat would want you to be happy.

Answer 8

I've got 2 ways that I have gotten over my pets, one I got from a Scary movie =)
1. Bury your own. Knowing that my dogs ar5e buried and gone helps the reality set in. And the last thing I can do is make sure they're taken care of myself.
2. Got another dog. Humans are the dominant species on the planet, animals need us for protection from other humans. If for any reason, help an animal for all the happiness you got from your first pet. There's nothing wrong with getting another.

Answer 9

I'm sorry. :-( I dealt with this a couple years ago myself. I didn't even get to say goodbye or keep ashes or anything like that since I was at school (college) when it happened.

I have new cats now that I just recently adopted. They remind me so much of my old cat that I don't know that getting a new one right away would be the best idea.

I pretty much just dealt with it like loosing anyone else. I was upset, I cried, I talked about him and then worked on moving on. I had had him since I was 4, so it was really weird to not have him around.

Answer 10

I'm sorry for your loss. Of course you miss her. No one can put a time frame on how long we should mourn for our beloved companions. It's ok to cry and remember -it's natural and healty to grieve. Time will help you too.

However, if you find your grief begins to have a negative impact on your job, relationships, etc. then it may be time to consider talking with a professional counselor or clergy.

It may help you to communicate with others in your situation. www.petloss.com is a place for grief support.

Getting another cat may help, but you know it's not a replacement and you shouldn't expect a new kitty to be exactly like the former one.

Take care.