Pet Bereavement - I’m trying to comfort someone who’s grieving

Supporting Someone Who Lost Their Rainbow Friend

Pet loss is a unique kind of grief, one not everyone understands until they’ve lived it. For the person hurting, their pet wasn’t “just an animal.” They were home, routine, joy, and comfort. They were family.

If you’re trying to support someone who’s grieving their pet, it can be hard to know what to say or do. You may know this kind of grief yourself. Or you may not but you still care deeply, and you want them to feel seen.

Here’s what may help:

Let them lead.
Some people want to talk. Some want quiet. Some want distraction. Some need time alone. Follow their pace.

Acknowledge the loss.
Simple words can make a big difference:
“I’m so sorry.”
“I know how much they meant to you.”
“I’m here with you.”

Invite stories.
When someone loses a pet, the hardest part is often feeling like the world expects them to move on quickly. Give them space to remember.
“Tell me about them.”
“What was their funny habit?”
“What did you love most about them?”

Avoid minimizing.
Skip phrases like “Will you get another one?”, “At least they went quickly” or “At least they lived a long life.” These can hurt more than they help.

Offer gentle support, not solutions.
A warm drink dropped off, a walk together, a check-in message, sitting with them without trying to “fix” their sadness - these small gestures can carry someone through a difficult day.

Losing a pet breaks the heart in a way that’s deeply human.
Your kindness becomes part of how they heal, not by making the grief go away, but by helping them feel less alone as they learn to carry it.