For many of us, our pets are a friend, companion and part of the family. They are a source of comfort, happiness and unconditional love, and are a significant and often constant part of our lives for many years. It is therefore completely understandable that we may feel sadness when our pets pass away, with the grief experienced over the death of a pet in no way silly or sentimental.

Unfortunately, the death of a pet is something that all pet owners must deal with at some point. We at Groomers have therefore created this post to offer some guidance for such a difficult occasion.

The Grieving Process

Grief can be complicated. The age of your pet, the nature of their death, and your own personal disposition to such issues can affect how you cope. In addition, if you lived alone with your pet, or if you owned a working dog or guide dog, your grief is likely to be more pronounced.

There is no right way to deal with the death of a pet, but there are healthy ways to cope with the pain. Initially you may feel shock, anger, sorrow, confusion, loneliness, and even suffer from insomnia or have difficulty focusing at work. If you do experience such feelings, you should never feel ashamed of them. The key is to accept and embrace the emotions you feel.

The process of grieving and moving on from the loss of a beloved pet will differ for everyone. Stages of grief are typical, where you move through the process experiencing denial, anger, guilt, depression and finally acceptance. For others, grief is cyclical – feelings of sorrow come in waves, which become less prolonged and difficult with time.

Difficulties that May Occur

While other pet owners will probably understand your pain, some people do not fully comprehend the pet/owner bond. This does not mean your feelings are wrong, but it does mean some people may find a strong reaction to the death of a pet confusing. It is important in this situation not to argue with people over the matter, and do not strive too hard to justify your feelings. Try seeking alternative support from people with similar experiences to your own.

After the death of a pet, you may also find that surviving animals become depressed. They may show this by being clingy, lethargic, or refusing to eat or drink. Even if the two pets were not particularly close, the change in circumstances and emotional stress may confuse or concern. It can be difficult to cope with stressed or depressed pets, especially when you are dealing with similar emotions yourself. The key with this is to be patient. Give remaining pets lots of TLC and keep to your regular routine. If your pet continues to demonstrate behaviour that concerns you after a week or two, a visit to the vet may help put your mind at rest.

Coping with the death of a pet is a difficult experience for us all, but it is important to remember that you cannot rush emotions. Some people may feel better in a week or two, for others it may take months. Remember though, it is especially important to look after yourself – emotional stress can deplete energy and even affect the immune system.

*Wales and West – David Broome Event Centre – Wales, 3rd – 7th May 2012*

I took 3 horses to this show, Olympia III, Valentino VII and Fleur Van Overis.
Olympia had a lovely clear on the first day in the U18 Viewing Trial speed class. On the Second day we jumped the U18 Nations cup and just had one fence down in the first round but a very good clear in the second round finishing on a total score of 4 faults.
On the last day we had a bit of an off round and ended up with 2 fences down and a foot in the water in the U18 Grand Prix, although she jumped well and the score doesn’t really do the round justice! After watching the U21 Grand Prix I decided that the course would have suited her better in that class as the water was right at the end of the course and it was a bit bigger so she would have respected it more, but overall she was very good and we can forgive the one off round after such a fantastic start to the year!
Valentino also did the U18 classes, he too had a great clear on the first day in the speed class. On the second day he was clear in the first round of the Nations Cup and had a very unlucky first fence in the second round so also finishing on a total score of 4 faults. On the Last day we finished 5th in the Grand Prix with a brilliant double clear, and we were picked for the U18 Nations Cup team in Bonheiden next week!!

Fleur just jumped the small tour and had a lovely double clear every day. She is very fresh at the moment and feeling well which is great .

Watch Abigail’s round here.

Thanks to advances in veterinary care, our pets are living for longer. Many mature pets remain in good health for years, but just like humans, as our pets approach old age, they will often need some additional care and support. With many elderly pets, certain functions such as sight and hearing might start to diminish. They may also start to experience medical conditions, such as cataracts, osteoarthritis, heart or kidney problems. They might also sleep more, or become more sensitive to extreme temperatures.

Even if your pet is starting to slow down or show signs of age, they can often continue to lead a full life, and your relationship with them can still be very rewarding.

What You Can Do to Help

• Be vigilant with your pet’s health.  Monitor your pet’s health regularly, and take them to the vet at the first sign of any potential issues. Prompt veterinary attention can make a big difference with the health of elderly pets.
• Keep up-to-date with vaccinations, worming and flea treatments. Mature pets can develop more compromised immune systems, so these measures are important to uphold.
• Consider a change in diet.  Mature dogs start to use less energy and often become less active. They will typically need fewer calories, instead needing a food rich in easy to digest protein. Supplements to support joint health and the immune system could also become necessary. Cats may need a senior cat food, which will be easier for them to digest.
• Regular bathing may become important. Elderly pets often find it difficult to clean themselves, so you may have to bathe and deodorise them regularly. It is also important to check canine claws and keep them trimmed if necessary – if they are less active, claws may grow too long and become uncomfortable for your pet.
• Keep pets mentally active. Many elderly pets still like to play, so setting up a mentally challenging game such as hide and seek or an obstacle course will help maintain mental agility. Ensure however that you consider your pet’s limits and do not make the game too hard, as this may confuse and frustrate them.   
• Consider gentle exercise. It is important for mature pets to stay active. Gentle exercise can prolong heart health, and can stave off obesity and osteoporosis.
• Manage your home with your pet in mind. Ensure your pet has a comfortable bed, placed away from drafts, and ideally near a radiator in the winter. If they have joint problems, perhaps limit your pet to the downstairs areas of your house, and maybe invest in a ramp for your dog, so they can get out of the car or bath easily.

It can be sad to see our pets slow down, or observe changes in their physical or mental state when they reach old age, especially if you have owned them since they were kittens or puppies. Elderly pets can also demand more of your time and patience. However, with consideration, care and empathy, small measures such as these really can boost their quality of life, and can also be very rewarding.