Did you know that around 68 percent of American households are pet owners? Tragically, every pet’s life eventually comes to an end. It’s never easy losing your furry friend.
That’s why it’s so great when your friends surround you to comfort you during such tough times.
Yet, it’s not always clear what to say to a grieving friend. Check out our tips to help you overcome this problem.
1. Let Your Friend Talk While You Listen
You want to provide your grieving friend with the opportunity to talk about their emotions. Don’t spend the whole time talking when you need to listen.
You can ask questions about how they’re feeling. You might even want to be quiet together until they are ready to talk to you.
2. Give Your Friend a Shoulder to Cry on
When someone loses a loved pet, the pain and suffering can be just as strong as if you lose a close family member or friend.
You need to allow your friend the chance to cry on your shoulder. They might even need a hug or a hold of the hand to help them.
You might not usually touch each other much. But, when someone experiences grief, they often want a human connection to deal with the loss.
3. Celebrate the Good Memories
Losing a pet isn’t all doom and gloom. There are usually reasons to celebrate the life of your friend’s fluffy buddy.
You might have your own personal stories of your friend’s pet. It’s helpful to concentrate on the positive experiences with their pet your friend wants to share.
This could include stories of amazing walks they went on with their dog or the first time they adopted their cat.
4. Send Condolence Gifts
There are many different types of sympathy gifts for pet loss that you could buy for your friend.
This could include a luxury box of chocolates or a bunch of pretty flowers. Anything you can think of to brighten up your friend’s day.
You could even donate money to a relevant animal charity in your friend’s pet’s name. This is an amazing way to honor a loved pet.
5. Keep Checking on Them
You should know that grieving can sometimes transform into depression. If your friend struggles to get over the loss of their pet swiftly, this could result in serious mental health problems.
You need to ensure that your friend doesn’t take a downturn. Just because it has been over a month since your friend experienced the loss, you shouldn’t forget to check in with them.
What to Say to a Grieving Friend After Losing a Pet?
When your friend loses a pet it’s not always to help them. But, you can always play a role to help them overcome their grief. If you’re not sure what to say to a grieving friend, you need to think carefully about how to approach this sensitive issue.
Do you want to know more about how to comfort someone who lost a pet? Check out our blog for more advice!