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Pet Bereavement and Grief: A Clinical Psychologist's Guide to Healing After Pet Loss
Paperback
ISBN13: 9781036988326
Publisher: Prism Psychology
Published: Jun 10 2026
Pages: 290
Weight: 0.86
Height: 0.65 Width: 6.00 Depth: 9.00
Language: English
Losing a beloved dog, cat, or other pet can feel far more overwhelming than you expected-confusing, disproportionate, and difficult to explain, even to yourself.
Not because something is wrong with you, but because of the role your pet played in your life.
They were part of how you regulated your emotions, structured your day, and experienced comfort, consistency, and connection. When that is suddenly gone, pet loss can affect far more than your emotions, leaving you feeling destabilised in ways that are difficult to understand and even harder to explain to others.
Pet Bereavement and Grief is a compassionate, clinically grounded guide written by a Clinical Psychologist specialising in pet loss. Drawing on attachment theory and contemporary grief research, it offers something many pet bereavement resources do not: a clear explanation for why the loss of a pet can feel so profound, alongside practical, evidence-based support for navigating life after loss.
Whether you are grieving the loss of a dog, cat, or another deeply loved companion, this book will help you understand what is happening in your mind, body, and daily life.
You may recognise:
- Emotional waves that arrive suddenly and feel impossible to control
- Guilt, regret, and relentless what if thoughts
- Anxiety, restlessness, or difficulty settling
- The collapse of routine, structure, and daily purpose
- A loneliness that goes beyond simply missing them
- Shock, numbness, and feeling disconnected from yourself and your life
This book will help you:
- Understand why this grief feels so intense-and why that makes complete sense
- Soften guilt, doubt, and difficult decisions you keep replaying
- Recognise the role your pet played in your emotional world and identity
- Feel less alone in an experience others may not fully understand
- Develop a steadier, more compassionate way to carry the loss
Alongside psychological insight, the book includes gentle practical exercises to support reflection, emotional regulation, and healing-without clichés, platitudes, or pressure to move on.
This book is for you if:
- Your grief feels more intense than others seem to understand
- You are carrying guilt, doubt, or unfinished feelings
- You feel lonely, changed, or unmoored since your pet died
- You want psychological clarity written in plain, human language
- You are looking for pet loss support that takes your experience seriously
- You want to give someone you love a thoughtful and meaningful gift during an incredibly difficult time
This is not a book about fixing grief or forgetting the pet you loved. It is about understanding what has been lost, validating what you feel, and finding your way back to steadier ground while honouring the bond that mattered so much.
This book really helped me understand what I was feeling and why-which made it easier to cope.
I had no idea that what I was feeling was so normal and common.
Clear, supportive, and easy to follow without ever feeling overly clinical.
A comforting and genuinely helpful guide during a very painful time.
Dr Rachel Megahy is a Clinical Psychologist specialising in pet bereavement and grief. Further resources and support are available through Pet Loss Psychology.
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