How to Cope with the Loss of a Cat: 5 Healing Steps

For cat lovers, it's often unbearable to face the loss of their beloved feline, especially when it’s a young kitten. If a kitten passes away unexpectedly, the sadness can feel overwhelming, making it hard to move past the grief.

I’m sure you’ve already searched online for ways to cope with this loss. From my own experience and after talking to others who have also lost their cats, I’ve put together this article. These five methods are what we believe could help you heal and regain peace after losing your kitten.

Five Ways to Heal After Losing a Kitten:

1. Properly bury your cat – If a cat isn’t properly buried, its body may simply end up in a landfill.
2. Give yourself time to be alone – Reflect on your time with your cat.
3. Keep your cat's items as memories – Don’t rush to throw them away.
4. Consider adopting another cat.
5. Create custom pet memorial jewelry.

Cats tend to be very attached to their owners, so when a cat passes, the owner often experiences a period of deep sorrow. If you’re feeling down or struggling with grief, the following methods might help you get through this difficult time:

1. Burying Your Cat

Burial:

When burying your cat, make sure to disinfect the area and dig a hole at least 5 meters deep. Line the bottom with lime or disinfectants, place the cat’s body inside, and then add another layer of disinfectant.

Cremation:

If your cat passed away due to an illness, cremation might be a better option. You can also burn the cat’s belongings to prevent the spread of bacteria. Collecting a small amount of your cat’s ashes and storing them in a special urn or a custom-made pet ash necklace allows you to keep your cat’s memory close.

Pet Cemetery:

If there’s a pet cemetery in your city, you can bury your cat there and visit when you want to remember them.

2. Give Yourself Time to Reflect on Memories with Your Cat

Losing a pet is always painful, and it’s okay to take your time to grieve. Don’t pressure yourself to immediately feel better. Spending time alone and reminiscing about your cat can be a natural part of healing.

3. Keep Your Cat’s Belongings as Memorials

There’s no need to rush to discard your cat’s things, such as their photos, toys, or other belongings. You can organize them and keep them as a way to remember your cat. Every person or pet that’s been a part of your life is worth cherishing, and looking back at these memories can bring comfort.

4. Consider Adopting Another Cat

While every cat is unique, no one, not even a pet, can be with us forever. Missing a pet doesn’t mean adopting a new one is a betrayal. Pets are meant to bring companionship and warmth, and adopting another cat could bring new energy and joy into your life, helping the love for your previous cat live on in your heart.

5. Create Custom Pet Memorial Jewelry

A wonderful way to keep your cat close is by creating custom jewelry in their memory. You can choose a favorite picture of your cat and find an online store that offers quality custom pet jewelry. Options include custom pet necklaces, memorial bracelets, rings, or earrings. Some stores only require a photo to create your personalized piece, making it a convenient and meaningful choice.

Losing a cat is a deeply sad experience for any pet owner, and if you're looking for comfort or ways to heal, I hope these suggestions help you. There are also other ways to cope with the loss of a kitten, which I’ve detailed in another article if you're interested in more advice.