Few experiences prepare us for the grief that comes with losing a beloved pet. After all, a pet is more than just an animal — they’re a source of comfort, companionship and joy. Giving yourself permission to grieve is one of the most meaningful steps you can take in your healing journey. Lightfully Behavioral Health understands how deeply loss can affect your mental and emotional well-being and offers a safe, empathetic space to process your feelings. In this article, we’ll review common therapy techniques many people find helpful while coping with the loss of a pet.

1. Cognitive therapy approaches to pet loss

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach that focuses on how your thoughts influence your emotions and behaviors. It’s used to treat mental health conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it can also help in other situations that contribute to your symptoms and make you feel overwhelmed, like your pet’s passing. CBT may help with many aspects of your new normal, such as:

• Processing the impact of a traumatic or unexpected pet loss
• Managing the mental health symptoms associated with grief
• Reducing rumination and other negative cycles that may prevent you from moving forward
• Strengthening your emotional coping skills
• Turning guilt and self-blame into more self-compassionate thought patterns
• Finding ways to address anxiety and existential feelings about the future
• Helping you find new meaning in the people, places and things associated with your pet

2. Acceptance techniques for pet loss

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is another approach that may help you cope with the loss of a pet. Grief is a powerful sensation that can evoke feelings of sadness, anger, confusion, guilt and even relief. This approach may help you learn how to make space for those painful emotions rather than avoiding or struggling with them to “get over” the event. Using the six core principles of ACT, here’s how this technique might help you during this time: 

• Acceptance — Embracing your feelings about your pet and loss, both positive and negative
• Cognitive defusion — Noticing distressing thoughts about their passing and letting them go without reacting
• Being present — Focusing on how you feel in the moment, minimizing “what-ifs” related to the past or future
• Self-as-context — Detaching your identity from your negative thoughts to prevent your loss from defining you
• Values — Reflecting on what mattered most about your relationship with your pet (e.g., companionship, love) and using these values to guide your choices 
• Committed action — Aligning your next steps with your values to help you move forward

3. Mindfulness-based practices for pet loss

Similarly, therapeutic mindfulness practices may help you with emotional regulation while coping with pet loss. It’s designed to keep you grounded in the present, preventing you from feeling overwhelmed and helping you manage grief-related anxiety and tension. In these moments, you can notice those hard feelings, like sadness or anger, and practice letting them pass without being consumed by them. 

These techniques may be used in different types of therapy; here are some examples of how this might look in action:

• Mindful breathing exercises — Focus on your breath to anchor yourself in the present moment, gently letting feelings of grief and sadness go without judgment.
• Body scan meditation — Tune into each part of your body, notice tension and breathe into those areas as you visualize the discomfort melting away. 
• Loving-kindness meditation — Visualize your pet, extend well-wishes and express your gratitude for the time you had together.
• Mindful remembrance — Create a daily ritual where you take a few moments to remember your pet, like looking at their photo or sitting in a special spot at the park. 

Self-care tips for coping with pet loss

Talking to a licensed clinical therapist about your recent loss is a good step toward managing your mental health. They can provide research-backed advice on how to manage these new feelings alongside other mental health symptoms you may be experiencing. However, you can also do things at home to take care of yourself. Here are some self-care tips for pet loss:

• Journal — Putting your feelings on paper can help you process complex emotions.
• Honor your pet — Something as simple as hanging a photo or putting together a scrapbook of your pet can be an act of self-care.
• Take care of your body — Exercising and maintaining a healthy diet can help boost your mood, promote better sleep and support your overall well-being.
• Reach out to a friend — Sometimes talking to a loved one about your pet can help you work through your grief and find joy in remembering the good times.
• Help others — It may feel healing to volunteer at a local animal shelter, donate your animal’s belongings or pet sit for a friend.

Pet bereavement and mental health resources

If you’re looking for online resources to help you cope with pet loss, the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB) and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) are good places to start. They can connect you with support groups and other forms of guidance you may find valuable. Your local veterinarian or animal shelter may also have pet grief resources to share that are in person and closer to home. 

When a treasured pet passes, the emotional impact may amplify the symptoms of depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out to the team at Lightfully to learn more about our multiple levels of care. Using our Precision Care Model (PCM), we can help you address the underlying factors behind your condition and process these new feelings that have surfaced since your pet’s passing. 

You don’t have to carry this alone — let us help lighten the load. Connect with our Admissions Concierge Team and discover a treatment plan built just for you.