I am very sensitive, I just found my pet dead, what do I do?

Question

I have a pet rabbit, its my only pet, and I just found it dead outside in its cage. I have been sick lately and have only been outside about 5 times in the past week and a half to take care of her. I feel like its my fault. How do i react and what do I do.

when I was 5, my older sister and i had 2 pet hampsters, we knew they were getting old and weren't going to last much longer. One morning I went down stairs to find one of them dead. exactly one week after I was the one to find the other one dead. I don't know if i can get other pet or not. I need some advice.

Answer 1

I'm sorry for your loss. all i can say is
Anyone who considers a pet a beloved friend,
companion, or family member knows the intense pain that accompanies the loss of that friend.
Intense grief over the loss of a pet is normal and natural. Don't let anyone tell you that it's silly, crazy, or overly sentimental to grieve!

During the years you spent with your pet (even if they were few), it became a significant and constant part of your life. It was a source of comfort and companionship, of unconditional love and acceptance, of fun and joy. So don't be surprised if you feel devastated by the loss of such a relationship.

People who don't understand the pet/owner bond may not understand your pain. All that matters, however, is how you feel. Don't let others dictate your feelings: They are valid, and may be extremely painful. But remember, you are not alone: Thousands of pet owners have gone through the same feelings.

Different people experience grief in different ways. Besides your sorrow and loss, you may also experience the following emotions:


Guilt may occur if you feel responsible for your pet's death-the "if only I had been more careful" syndrome. It is pointless and often erroneous to burden yourself with guilt for the accident or illness that claimed your pet's life, and only makes it more difficult to resolve your grief.
Denial makes it difficult to accept that your pet is really gone. It's hard to imagine that your pet won't greet you when you come home, or that it doesn't need its evening meal. Some pet owners carry this to extremes, and fear their pet is still alive and suffering somewhere. Others find it hard to get a new pet for fear of being "disloyal" to the old.
Anger may be directed at the illness that killed your pet, the driver of the speeding car, the veterinarian who "failed" to save its life. Sometimes it is justified, but when carried to extremes, it distracts you from the important task of resolving your grief.
Depression is a natural consequence of grief, but can leave you powerless to cope with your feelings. Extreme depression robs you of motivation and energy, causing you to dwell upon your sorrow.

The most important step you can take is to be honest about your feelings. Don't deny your pain, or your feelings of anger and guilt. Only by examining and coming to terms with your feelings can you begin to work through them.

You have a right to feel pain and grief! Someone you loved has died, and you feel alone and bereaved. You have a right to feel anger and guilt, as well. Acknowledge your feelings first, then ask yourself whether the circumstances actually justify them.

Locking away grief doesn't make it go away. Express it. Cry, scream, pound the floor, talk it out. Do what helps you the most. Don't try to avoid grief by not thinking about your pet; instead, reminisce about the good times. This will help you understand what your pet's loss actually means to you.

If your family or friends love pets, they'll understand what you're going through. Don't hide your feelings in a misguided effort to appear strong and calm! Working through your feelings with another person is one of the best ways to put them in perspective and find ways to handle them. Find someone you can talk to about how much the pet meant to you and how much you miss it-someone you feel comfortable crying and grieving with.

Answer 2

If you fed and estered your rabbit when you were out, it didn't die from neglect. How old was the rabbit? Is there a chance the death was attributed to old age. Had the rabbit been sick before? If you took good cre of the rabbit all the time it may have just been it's time to go. Don't beat yourself up if you took good care of the animal it was not your fault. There could be a lot of reasons why it died. Also you said the hamsters were old, you can't blame yourself for that either. My advice is get a pet with a longer life span and take good care of it. If you do not feel you can give the pet what it needs to be healthy and happy, maybe you should just get a new hobby.

Answer 3

I know the feeling. I am pretty sensitive too, when it comes to that. I've had many pets die. That is what happens. Everyone and everything has to eventually die. When you get a new pet, just make sure you are doing the right things and giving them the care they need. If you can't provide them the care they need don't get the pet. I always bury my pets and put a marker (like a rock, some flowers, etc.) to mark the grave. You will be sad for awhile, that's how life works. Sorry for your loss.

Answer 4

First of all don't listen to the people who tell you things like "get on with your life". They have never loved anything, so they can't understand what you are feeling after the death of a beloved creature.

Of course you get on with your life! You are doing exactly that.
Unfortunately domestic animals live shorter lives than humans, normally, so from the moment you get a pet, their death is already in the picture. I know that when the moment comes, it's the hardest ever, and it takes all your strenght getting over it.

But think of this: if you loved and cared for your rabbit, and gave him his food and warmth and water, its not your fault he's dead.
If you never have another pet again, you miss out on the chance of getting to know another loving creature, and of becoming their loving family. With all the pets that are waiting for love in shelters, it would be a shame!

So, once you get over your grief, and believe me I know how much it can hurt, think about having another pet.

Answer 5

I am very sorry for the loss of your rabbit! I know that it can be hard sometimes to take care of a pet. I would suggest talking to a vet about what you can do more to help your pet stay comfortable. Also, make sure that you are feeding it good food.

As for the hamsters, they could have had a virus and passed it to each other. It is NOT your fault! Please don't beat yourself up over it!

Answer 6

well, bury the rabbit first of all.

but its not your fault. it would not have died from only being let out 5 times... it had to have been sick. you can take it to the vet to find out what it was, and they can cremate it for you.

you can get another pet, just realize that death is a part of it, and sometimes it is unexpected and tragic. just do lots of research and care for your pet responsibly. keep it safe and healthy with regular vet check ups and thats the best you can do.

Answer 7

I am sorry about your rabbit. I think that if you love animals you will get another pet. If the pain of loss is too much or the hassle of caring for an animal, you won't.

Answer 8

ok sorry to hear that I have alot of pets and have had alot die to it hurts and it feels like a big loss ,but you need to say good bye and let your rabbit know you love it,go on but you will never forget it is life and life hurts but you know if it was not for you maybe that rabbit would not of lived the good life you gave him it is not your fault thank god for people like you give your self time to heal and yes go get another pet Any how their is another pet out their that needs your love .good luck lots of love..

Answer 9

iI am really sorry just get another one that looks just like it and name it what your pets name was then just start all over again.

Answer 10

man just through your little pet a feneral and get on with your life.