A friend's dog died. What should I say?
You can start with "I'm so sorry they died," then let your friend talk without rushing to give advice. Remarks like "You can get another dog" can make people stop talking.
A real example
In a 2025 AP report, a pet loss support worker at the UK's Blue Cross said grieving owners mostly want someone to listen. The report says kind remarks like "You can get another pet" can make people go quiet and feel alone.
News, Associated Press (NY1), 26 Feb 2025Read the original
What others said
「The little dog in my building passed away. I petted its ears just the day before. I'm so sad.」
Shared online (reworded) Europe, Oct 2026「My friend's Corgi died of illness, and I just lost my own dog too.」
Shared online (reworded) Japan, Oct 2026「My 16-year-old dog's childhood friend died at 17 years and 8 months, and I keep remembering our trips together.」
Shared online (reworded) Japan, Oct 2026What people do in different places
Say "I'm so sorry they died"Japan | psychologist: respond with empathy
Say "I'm here if you want to talk"UK | Blue Cross: let them talk, no need to comment
Ask "Want to go for a walk together?"US | AP report: without a dog, there is less reason to go out
Don't say "Just get another one"Japan | psychologist: no pet can replace them
Don't say "He was a good age"UK | Blue Cross: they already know, and it does not help
Don't compare or judge their griefJapan | psychologist: every loss deserves respect
Tell them about pet loss support linesUK | Blue Cross: free, confidential, open every day
Sources
3 posts from owners online: reworded and anonymised, showing only the platform, region and month. We keep the original links privately.
Updated 25 Oct 2026. This page updates daily from owners’ posts.