To think that losing a companion animal can be harder than losing a person?

[blackkitty1234]

I have lost multiple cats and a dog. My most recent loss was particularly traumatic. It doesn’t feel like people really understand. It feels as if you’re expected to just get over it in a couple of days. If I had lost a relative or close friend then people would be more understanding. My work could have been granted compassionate leave. There’s so much support out there for bereavement (numerous charities, counselling, etc) but it seems like it’s all limited to the death of people and does not extend to animals. I think losing an animal you love can be harder because the support just isn’t there that you might have had you lost a relative or close friend.

@Hoppinggreen

Losing a pet can be much worse than losing a parent in some cases Not all of us love one or both of our parents, hard for people with decent parents to understand I know, but true

Fully get this, I don't get on with my parents either, but then that's just because you don't like them and wouldn't feel sad anyway? Using the worst case scenario doesn't prove pet grief is 'worse'

Generally it's harder to lose a person. Pets can't be replaced, but their deaths are expected, typically of old age I'd imagine. In a few months you'll adopt a new loving, faithful dig but your sibling, child etc? No, that's it

Nope, definitely wasn’t sad when my Father died. I was actually quite relieved .
I’m not saying pet grief is “worse”, I am saying that in some cases losing a pet is sadder than losing a person. On the day of my Grandads funeral I got home to discover my beloved cat had been run over. I saw my Grandad around 3 times a year and I don’t think I had ever had a conversation with him on my own. I saw my cat every day and spent time with her everyday. I was much sadder about my cat