Remembering Your Pet

Remember the Ordinary Things

You do not need a grand tribute to recognise a much-loved life. You might want to write down the small details: a favourite sleeping position, the sound of their paws, the toy they always chose, or the expression that made you laugh.

If looking at photographs hurts today, you can leave them for another time. If you want them around you, that is an option too. There is no deadline for making a memory book or deciding what to display.

Choose Something That Feels Like Them

• Put a photograph beside an object that reminds you of a good day together.
• Record a voice note with a story you would like to remember.
• Make a folder of favourite pictures and keep a backup somewhere safe.
• Invite friends or family to send one memory, if you would like to hear theirs.
• Visit a familiar place, alone or with someone who understands what it means to you.
• Plant something in a suitable place, or keep a small pot that can move with you.

You can do none of these things. Remembering does not have to become another task to complete, and buying something is not a measure of love.

Plan Gently Around Difficult Dates

A birthday, the anniversary of a death or the first holiday without your pet might feel significant. Consider whether you would like company, time on your own, a familiar activity or a completely ordinary day. Let someone close to you know if there is a date you would appreciate them remembering.

You can change your mind when the day arrives. A plan is there to help you, not to set a standard for how you should feel.

Share Only What You Want to Share

A tribute can stay in a notebook or family album. If you post publicly, decide which details you are comfortable sharing, especially photographs of children, home addresses or information about other people. Ask for permission before including someone else’s story.

Thinking About Another Pet

There is no universal waiting period. Consider whether you want and can meet the needs of a different animal, how other household members feel and what existing pets need. A new pet will have their own character and should not be expected to recreate the one you lost.

You may decide to wait, welcome another pet, or not have another animal. None of those choices takes away the life you shared. If the question brings up difficult feelings, talking it through with a pet-loss listener may help.

Sources & Further Reading

Written by Vet Reviews using the resources below. General information; for personal healthcare or veterinary decisions, speak to the relevant professional.

• Cats Protection: Coping With Loss and Considering Another Pet
• Cats Protection: Remembering as a Family

Sources checked on 10 September 2026.