Feeling guilty about getting a new pet too soon
Getting a new pet too soon after a loss often triggers intense feelings of guilt, as people feel like they are betraying their previous companion's trust or trying to replace them. This emotional barrier makes individuals feel like they are cheating on the animal that passed, stopping them from moving forward and leading them to delay getting another pet for a long time.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1waiting a long time before getting another pet
- 2seeking reassurance online
- 3checking for microchips
- 4Visiting the original pet during weekend trips home
- 5Adopting an adult or shelter cat to feel like you are saving a life rather than replacing the original pet
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I’ve just dropped him off at the vet but I feel awful that I’ve betrayed his trust. I’m also terrified that I’ve kidnapped someone’s pet”source ↗
“I was thinking about adopting a cat but I feel like I am betraying my true baby somehow.”source ↗
“I still feel really guilty and torn up about leaving her, even though I do think it was the best decision for her, and I feel like I would be making it even worse like replacing her almost.”source ↗
“I didn’t want to “replace” my cat who passed and I felt like cheating on him if I got another one right away which is why such a long time passed.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 2Why do I feel so guilty taking my pet to the vet?
- 76Why is my new high-energy puppy so overwhelming?
- 28How do I know if getting another pet is a mistake?
- 4Why can't I stop worrying about my pet dying?
- 5Did I traumatize my pet after an accident?
- 12How do I know if my new puppy is getting enough exercise?