By Courtney Prue | April 11, 2025

Adopting a New Pet After a Loss – What to Consider

Losing a pet can have a huge impact. Not only do our pets offer us loyal companionship, but they also bring so much joy and liveliness to our household. When they pass away, their absence can affect us more than we may have imagined. Without them, the home can feel overly quiet or dull. Our daily routines of caring for our pet, such as feeding, grooming, walks and play time suddenly disappear, and we lose structure. And most of all, we no longer have those loving eyes staring up at us and no longer experience those comforting cuddles with our beloved animal friends. As a way of dealing with these unsettling changes, many pet owners are drawn towards the idea of bringing another pet into their lives. Whilst adopting a new pet after a loss can be a positive choice, there are a range of things to consider before you take the leap. Let’s have a look at some of the things you should think about before you adopt that new pet after losing your pet.

Your Grief

Many people minimise the grief of losing a pet, however, the death of such a close companion can hit us in ways we may not have expected, and we may be left reeling with the loss.

There are some things we can do to help us before and after our pet’s death, that will make the grieving process a little easier to handle.

Allow the time to grieve

If you have lost a pet, it’s important to take the time to allow yourself to grieve. The impact of the loss may be apparent very quickly for some pet owners, yet for others, it may take more time for the loss to be felt. Whichever is the case, it’s helpful to take the time you need to register how you are feeling about the loss, and not rush into taking on a new pet before you’re ready.

Consider pet grief counselling

It’s important to grieve your pet without feeling the need to hide the impact the loss has had on you. Speaking with a counsellor who specialises in grief counselling for pet owners can really help. These unique counsellors have a deep understanding of the impact of pet loss, and many have experienced this loss themselves. This specialised support can be especially impactful, and can help you along your grieving journey.

Aside from handling your grief, let’s look at the other factors you should consider before adopting a new pet after losing another.

Consider other pets

If you have other pets in the home, you should consider the impact of a new pet on them. For a start, the existing pet may be grieving the loss of your departed pet. Whilst a new pet may be a helpful distraction, it may alternatively be disruptive.

Your pet may be very used to cohabiting with a pet of a certain size, temperament, or gender, and your new pet may be different. Things may not necessarily be smooth sailing, so your other pet’s needs are certainly something to seriously consider before taking the leap and bringing a new pet into the home.

Also, if you adopt a puppy or kitten, you will likely need to keep them confined during their initial introduction to the home. This may be difficult if you have another pet who is used to freely entering and exiting the home. Also, a new puppy or kitten will require plenty of attention, and this could cause jealousy from your other pet. Ensure you are prepared for these sorts of complications before you bring that new pet into the home.

Consider your new pet’s personality

It’s common for pet owners who lose a pet to want to find another pet similar to the one they lost. It may be that they enjoy the company of a particular breed of cat, or that they like a dog that requires only short walks, and so on.

It’s worth noting, however, that no two animals are the same. Your new pet will have a different personality to your old pet, and perhaps, unique needs. You need to prepare to be flexible, and to accept that your new pet will be very different to your old one. If you aren’t ready to be adaptable, it might be better to put pet ownership on the backburner for the time being.

Adopting a pet after a loss can be a healing experience, but it’s crucial to take time to grieve, consider your circumstances, and ensure you’re truly ready. By carefully evaluating these factors, and taking advantage of the support resources available, you can make an informed decision that honours both your past pet’s memory and the well-being of your future companion.