Psychologists say we need to be more understanding when people lose a pet

Amen.

Losing a pet is absolutely devastating. They are very much a part of your family, and losing them is like losing a little furry sibling. However, it can be a hard one to deal with, because to many, a pet is just a pet. Grieving the loss of an animal can seems strange to those who have never had to do it. But, according to one psychologist people should be understanding when people have lost their pets. And we couldn't agree more. Guy Winch, psychologist and author, says that we need to change our attitudes and be more supportive of people who are grieving the loss of a pet. He explains that the grief over losing a pet is often misunderstood, despite the fact that it is real, and often severe. Guy says that symptoms of acute grief after losing a pet can last "from one to two months, up to a year - or longer - for the symptoms of grief to fully disappear." So, it is a long and painful road for many. "Although grief over the loss of a cherished pet may be as intense and even as lengthy as when a significant person in our life dies, our process of mourning is quite different." He points out that people who have lost a beloved pet rarely ask for time off work, so as to avoid seeming "overly sentimental, lacking in maturity or emotionally weak". Another issue that Guy has identified is that people tend to keep their sadness to themselves, which has the potential to build up. Basically, if you know someone who has recently said farewell to their furry BFF, check in on them, and ensure they're okay.