9 Thoughtful Gifts to Give Your Friend Who Has Lost a Pet
One of the most singular joys in life is having a pet — one that loves you unconditionally and is there for you no matter what. Which means that eventually losing those pets stings a lot.
“Our relationships with our pets can be the most loving relationships we experience,” says Saba Harouni Lurie, founder of Take Root Therapy. “The love we feel for our pets is simple and powerful, and we receive unconditional love from them. Given that for many people, their relationships with their pets have offered consistency and security, even when it wasn’t available elsewhere, it makes sense that the loss of a pet can be devastating and incredibly painful.”
People also feel pet deaths differently because they may have to grieve for them alone; a pet doesn’t always come with a built-in community to help you through like a person’s passing tends to. When a loved one’s pet dies, it’s helpful to create that community for them. Acknowledge the loss and give them the space to share, Lurie says. Support them and be there to help them process their feelings.
“Society can minimize our relationships with our pets and our feelings about pet loss, and we don’t have the same rituals in place to grieve,” Lurie says. “Pet loss can be such a lonely process, so stepping in and asking how your friend is feeling and reminiscing with them can offer such necessary connection and care.”
Beyond that, you can send something to help ease their emotions. Here are a few pet loss presents to consider.
Custom Pet Memorial Portraits
Pet Portraits
$89.95
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Memorial Portrait
Your friend or family member already knows what an angel their beloved pet was. Pet Portraits creates memorial artwork of pets, with a halo shining above their heads. It’s not AI art, either — the team at Pet Portraits uses actual artists who can make changes to the portrait until you’re satisfied with the product.
Heartleaf Philodendron
easyplant
$49
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A Memorial Tree or Plant
Whenever one of my friends loses a pet, we make it a point to send them a gift from A Living Tribute. The company plants memorial trees in a national forest — the number of trees is up to you. My husband and I always plant as many trees as the pet’s age. The recipient gets a framable sympathy card and a record of the trees.
If you want a living gift your friend can keep in their home, try just sending a plant from Easyplant. It only needs to be watered once a month and will still bring joy.
Psychic Connection
When my amazing Boston terrier, Ollie, died at 15, I was absolutely gutted. I didn’t know how to function. I wasn’t home when he passed, and I felt immense guilt because of it. To ease my mind, I spoke to Nancy Mello, an animal communicator, who helped ease my mind about Ollie — it brought me so much comfort. If your loved one is into psychic readings, try gifting them one of the more unique pet loss presents: a session with an animal communicator.
Helpful Donation
Pet rescues need all the help they can get. Spread the love your friend had for their pet by making a donation in their name. You can either find a local rescue close to where your loved one lives, or you can donate to some nationwide organizations like the ASPCA or Clear the Shelters.
Custom Embroidered Pet Portrait
Etsy
$85
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Embroidered Memories
Get your loved one a gift that shows just as much care as they had for their pet with a custom embroidered portrait. Sincerity by Sara is an Etsy seller in California who carefully handcrafts embroidered pets based on photos you send. The product is available in multiple sizes and can even include more than one pet.
Letterpress Greeting Card
Etsy
$6
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A Thoughtful Card
You don’t always need a big gesture with pet loss presents to show you care for someone. Try sending a sympathy card with a gentle and loving message — like this letterpress option from Mary Likes Postcards on Etsy that simply says, “We have been so lucky.”
Pet Urn Necklace
Etsy
$52.20 (was $58)
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Cremation Jewelry
If your friend opted to have their pet cremated, there are many beautiful boxes you can buy to hold the ashes, but some people can find them to be too far removed. Help your friend bring their pet’s energy closer to their heart with cremation jewelry. Spirit Pieces creates gorgeous pendants, bracelets, and rings with ashes incorporated, or you can find other jewelry that holds some of the ashes in a small locket-style urn.
Pet Lover Photo Book
Shutterfly
$221.99 (was $299.99)
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Photo Book
Pets are family members — and just like the human animals in the house, there are probably a million pictures of the fuzzy animals to look back on. Memorialize those images of a lost pet with a photo book of memories. Shutterfly is a great option, with plenty of sizes, page counts, and other options.
Pet Memorial Stones
Amazon
$29.89
Memorial Stone
For animals that loved nature, memorial stones or other objects that live outdoors as a reminder of their joy can make great pet loss presents. Adirondack Stone Works sells engravable ones made from natural stone that allow for several lines of text. If you want a resin version that’s treated for outdoor use, you can find those on Amazon as well.
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