Losing A Pet & Human Grief | The Veterinary Hospital Dubai

The Veterinary Hospital Dubai

Human Grief after losing a pet

Cremation of your Pet

In compliance with Dubai Municipality regulations, animal burial is not allowed in the UAE, but we facilitate cremation services through a third-party service provider.

We absolutely guarantee that after your pet passes on, he or she is looked after correctly and with the dignity and respect that they deserve. He or she will be cremated with their favourite belongings should you wish to do so.

If your pet passes away at home, you can still come to us and we will help you with the cremation process.

There are three cremations options available to you:

A communal cremation means pets are cremated together with no return of ashes.
An individual cremation means the pet is individually cremated with the return of individual ashes (multiple pets placed in individually marked and separated compartments). May take up to 2 weeks.
Personal (private) cremation means the pet is cremated alone with the option of viewing (saying goodbye at the crematorium) and the return of individual ashes (one pet, one compartment). May take up to 3-5 working days.

Please be aware that having your pet privately cremated is more expensive than the standard cremation, so please ensure that you are fully aware of the costs before making your decision.

We will also make a keep-safe memento of your pet’s paw and nose print for you to keep. You may take a lock of hair in a small container if you wish to do so. (an urn / box is provided and style may vary).

What is a microchip

A microchip is a small electronic chip (rice grain size) inserted/ implanted under your pet’s skin using a special syringe. It is a universal method used to permanently identify your pet. It is normally inserted in the lose skin in between the shoulder blades. Most pets tolerate it and don’t even flinch when it’s happening.

It is important to note that a microchip is not an active tracking device. The chip only contains a unique number which can then be cross referenced with the owners’ details when the chip is inserted and the animal is registered.

The chip is “read” by using a small portable hand-held scanner which is waived over the animal. This picks up the unique number and it means that the owners’ details can then be obtained and contacted.

The Veterinary Hospital Dubai

Human Grief after losing a pet

Our veterinarians know that everyone loses a pet and experiences some degree of grief at their death. How that grief is expressed will depend upon personality, upbringing, life experiences and numerous other factors. For many, a good cry is a sufficient expression of the loss of a companion that gave lots of pleasure, but others may find it much harder to come to terms with their loss. As grief is a very personal thing it is extremely hard to predict exactly how each person will react. There are several recognised stages of grief that you may experience at the loss of a loved one, even if that loved one is a cat, a dog or any other pet animal.

You may feel an initial sense of shock and denial when you first realise that your pet is dead. You may experience a distinct inability to concentrate your mind on the concept of death and the fact that you will never see her or him again. The sense of denial can be so strong for some owners that they may not make the appropriate arrangements that need to be made when a pet dies.
After this stage of numbness and denial may come an angry phase. This is a period when you may feel tremendous guilt and wonder whether your pet’s death happened through some omission or negligence on your part. “Could I have done more?” or “Should I have spotted the signs sooner?” or “Did I allow her or him to suffer for too long?” are some of the common thoughts that plague the bereaved.
After this period some people experience depression and an inability to believe that they can ever feel truly happy again.

There is no set way to grieve – although stages of grief have been recognised and described, not every individual experiences each phase or passes through them in any particular order. As grief is such a personal thing it is difficult to generalise about how it will feel when it happens.

Expression of Grief

The manifestation of grief will differ from person to person and any number of physical, emotional, intellectual and social symptoms can be experienced as part of a perfectly normal but painful journey to recovery. Physical signs may include crying, shortness of breath, tight chest, nausea, loss of or increased appetite, tiredness, dizziness, inability to sleep or disturbed sleep, and general aches and pains. The emotions experienced range from sadness, guilt and irritability to loneliness, helplessness and even relief, particularly if the pet had suffered at the end. You may experience confusion or an inability to concentrate, or even think you hear the cry of your deceased pet at night. You may need to talk about or rationale the loss and become preoccupied with death and the concept of an after-life. All of these symptoms may feel alarming but are well documented and are part of the process for some.

How to help your children cope with losing their pet

Children may also have difficulty coming to terms with euthanasia. This may be a child’s first experience of death and it is important to be honest with them. Tell them the truth and encourage them to talk about their feelings and share your feelings with them. Talk openly about your pet and try to concentrate on the good times. If you have your pet’s ashes, it can be helpful to go through the ritual with the children and let them be involved in marking a grave or writing a message to the pet to be kept in a book with pictures of their pet. A new pet may help, but it is often better not to get another one too soon as you and your child will need time to get over the death of the old pet.

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Complicated Grief

There are many complicating factors that can exaggerate or prolong grief, for example, you may not have experienced a death previously or received insensitive comments from others who have trivialised the loss. Whatever happens, the advice is to accept that grief is inevitable and to succumb to it. Problems can occur when you don’t allow these feelings to express themselves fully. A common consequence of all these mixed feelings is withdrawal from contact with others, even family and friends, and a rejection of help when it’s offered. However, it is often with support and encouragement from friends and family that people eventually accept their loss and feel ready to get on with the rest of their lives.

Help and Support

At our The Veterinary Hospital in Dubai, our compassionate veterinarians and nurses are here to support you through the most challenging times. Whether you’re visiting a 24 hour vet in Dubai or seeking advice at a vet clinic near you, we’re always ready to answer your questions and guide you before, during, and after your journey. For many, the loss of a beloved pet can feel overwhelming, especially without a support system. No matter how strong you are, facing grief in isolation is incredibly hard. That’s why reaching out to a trusted emergency vet in Dubai or a caring professional is a completely natural and necessary step. Take time to care for yourself during this emotional period. When you’re ready—whether it takes weeks or even years—consider welcoming a new companion. It’s not a betrayal, but a heartfelt tribute to the pet you loved so deeply. Our team is here for more than just pet vaccinations or treatment—we’re here for you, every step of the way.

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