Many people say that getting a new pet can help ease the pain of pet loss.
As someone who creates custom memorial items for pets, I often receive questions like this:
“I’ve been struggling with grief for a long time. Do you think getting a new pet would help me feel better?”
This is a very common question from our customers.
While I’m not a counselor or psychologist and can’t give a definitive answer, I do have thoughts I’d like to share.
I believe the answer truly depends on the individual—and the pet.
You won’t know how it will turn out until you try.
Each pet has their own unique personality.
Sometimes the chemistry between you and the new pet may not be what you expected.
They may not bond with you right away, or they may need time to adjust.
That’s why I often think of this quote:
“A destined encounter isn’t something that happens in an instant—it’s something that slowly becomes fate over time.”
I love this saying, and it reminds me of my own experience with our cat, Maro.
A Bond That Grew Over Time
This is our cat, Maro.
When we first brought him home, he wasn’t very affectionate.
At times, I wondered if adopting him had been the right choice.
Maro is a kijitora (tabby cat), and like many cats with this coloring, he was cautious and slow to trust.
Although he had gotten along with our other cat, Sora, at the shelter, they had been separated for six months and seemed to forget each other.
They often fought, and I worried whether they would ever get along.
For a while, I doubted whether we had made the right decision.
But over the next few months, I began to see qualities in Maro that I deeply admired.
He slowly became one of the most cherished beings in my life.
Looking back, I can say with confidence that our bond didn’t begin with instant affection.
It was built over time, with patience and understanding.
And before I knew it, our meeting felt like fate.
Adopting a new pet isn’t just for you, it’s for your pet too
When considering a new pet after loss, I encourage you to take your time and reflect carefully.
If possible, seek advice from professionals—not from pet stores, but from veterinarians or local animal shelters.
Unlike pet shops, shelters and vets are more likely to offer objective advice, rather than simply encouraging you to adopt or buy.
Please remember: a new pet should not be seen as a way to fill the emotional void left by the one you lost.
You’re not just trying to heal your own heart—you are taking responsibility for an animal’s entire life.
It’s also important to understand that the new pet is not a “replacement.”
They never knew your previous pet, and they have no connection to them.
They have their own unique personality and life story.
So please, welcome them not as a substitute, but as a new life, deserving of love for who they truly are.
I can once again realize that life with pets is truly wonderful.
This is something I often hear from our customers:
“I still miss the pet I lost. That sadness hasn’t gone away. But… life with a pet really is wonderful.”
By the time we send their custom cushion, many customers have already welcomed a new pet into their lives.
They often share stories about their new companions with joyful smiles.
While it’s important not to compare a new pet directly with the one who passed, these customers seem to find joy in the subtle differences.
“They remind me of my previous pet in this way…”
“This one eats a lot more than the last.”
“They look similar, but their personalities are completely different.”
People who are able to accept these differences with an open heart often find themselves truly loving their new pet.
Over time, I’ve come to believe that everything can be summed up in one heartfelt message:
“I still grieve the pet I lost. But I also feel healing in the presence of this new life.”
With new experiences comes a new chapter—and a new life to share it with.
Of course, choosing not to get another pet is also a completely valid path.
Personally, when our current cat is no longer with us, I’m not sure I’ll be ready to adopt again for a while.
At Knit My Pet, our hope is simple:
That you and your beloved animals—past, present, and future—find comfort, joy, and healing together.
Related articles
The time it takes to get another pet, and things to be aware of before getting one
Things to keep in mind when adopting a new pet after the death of a pet
Families who can no longer care for another pet after their first one dies
The conflict of having another pet after the death of a pet
Pet loss/the reason for getting another pet
What we make
I make custom knitted cushions for pets.
