What to Say to a Coworker Whose Pet Has Died: Sympathy Messages & Workplace Etiquette

For most of us, pets aren't "just animals." They're family. Period. They’re our daily companions that wake us up in the morning and the ones waiting excitedly at the front door after every workday. If you’ve lost a pet, you know how big a space they leave behind.

And that’s why when a coworker loses their pet, it can be difficult to know just what to say that encompasses the entirety of the loss. We’ve all been there – staring at a blank screen, words failing. But it turns out, you don't actually need the perfect words. A short and sweet message of kindness with a fitting GIF or photo can provide so much more comfort than you realise.

We promise this isn’t the time to audition for Poet Laureate – take a look at some of our simple but heartfelt messages instead. But first, here's what you need to know about workplace etiquette and navigating team losses. 

Is It Appropriate to Send a Sympathy Card for the Loss of a Pet?

It’s completely appropriate – in fact, many workplaces now recognise that losing a pet can be just as heartbreaking as other losses. If your colleague has spoken about their dog, cat or other pet over the years, acknowledging their loss is a thoughtful show of support.

Science agrees: Research into workplace bereavement has found that compassionate support from managers and coworkers can help grieving employees feel more connected, supported and better able to navigate the difficult transition back to work. It also highlighted the flip side – having their loss minimised or ignored can make returning to work even harder. 

That’s why sending a pet sympathy card signed by the team – as simple a gesture as it may be – has the power to make someone feel incredibly supported during a difficult time.

Workplace Etiquette: What Should You Do?

• Acknowledge the loss: If your coworker has shared the news, don't pretend it didn't happen. A simple "I'm so sorry to hear about Bella" lets them know they're supported.
• Follow their lead: Some people want to talk about their pet. Others don't. Let them decide how much they'd like to share.
• Keep it genuine: Put the thesaurus away – you don't need profound words or flowery language. Lines like "I'm thinking of you”, "I'm so sorry”, or "I'm here if you need anything”, are to the point and do all the heavy lifting without the need for purple prose.
• Avoid trying to "fix" the situation: Comments like: "At least they lived a long life,”  "You can always get another dog” or “Everything happens for a reason…” are usually best avoided. Grief doesn't need solutions – it needs kindness and acknowledgement.
• Avoid excessive questions: It’s okay to ask about their pet or show interest, but you want to make sure you avoid grilling them on sensitive topics. Things like “Will you get another dog?” are not it. Seriously.
• Consider a group card: A group sympathy card can be a lovely way for everyone to show their support and make the process of sharing support that much easier – for both you and the recipient. They get to read the heartfelt messages in their own time without the pressure to perform or keep it together. Sometimes knowing an entire team is thinking of you makes all the difference.

Sympathy Messages for a Coworker

Resist the urge to write the next great novel – we know you care about your coworker, but the number of words aren’t a direct reflection of that care. Sometimes keeping it short is more meaningful and less overwhelming.  

Short Pet Sympathy Messages

• “I'm so sorry for your loss, I know how much you loved that sweet soul.”
• “Thinking of you. They leave paw prints on our hearts for life.”
• “Sending you and your family my deepest sympathy.”
• “Wishing you comfort during this difficult time.”
• “Thinking of you as you remember your beloved companion.”

Thoughtful Messages for a Coworker

• “I'm so sorry to hear about your pet – I know how much they meant to you, and I'm thinking of you during this difficult time.”
• “We’re all thinking of you. Pets have a remarkable way of filling our homes, and our hearts, in ways we never quite realise until they're gone.”
• “Wishing you comfort and peace as you remember all the wonderful moments you shared together.”
• “The hardest goodbyes are often for the ones who never spoke a word but somehow understood us better than anyone else.”
• “I hope you're surrounded by lots of love and support over the coming days. Thinking of you.”

Messages from Your Team

• “We're all thinking of you and wishing you comfort as you look back on years of loyal companionship and a precious bond.”
• “We’ve all got your back and know that pets leave behind so much more than others see – favourite spots on the couch, routines we'll miss and a kind of love that's impossible to replace.”
• “The office won't be the same without your pet dropping in – we're so sorry for your loss.
• Please take all the time you need. We're thinking of you and can't wait to welcome you back when you're ready.”
• “Your whole team is sending love and support.”
• “What a privilege it is to have loved a pet so deeply and to have been loved unconditionally in return, even if saying goodbye is incredibly hard. We’re thinking of you.” 

If You Didn't Know Their Pet Personally

You don't need to have met their pet to acknowledge their loss – you can keep it as broad as you like, without losing the warmth. Here’s how. 

• “I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. Thinking of you.”
• “Wishing you strength and comfort in the days ahead.”
• “Sending my sincere condolences, the loss of a pet leaves a void in our lives.”
• “Thinking of you during this difficult time.”
• “Thinking of you as you remember a companion who made ordinary days feel a little brighter and simple walks feel like an adventure.”

Messages If They've Lost a Dog

• “I'm so sorry to hear about (dog's name). It's clear they were deeply loved and had the happiest life with you.”
• “Dogs have such a special way of becoming part of the family. Thinking of you and sending lots of love.”
• “I hope, with time, thoughts of your beloved pooch bring more smiles than tears. How lucky they were to be so deeply loved.”
• “Your love for (dog’s name) shone through every story and every photo you shared. We're so sorry for your loss and are thinking of you.”
• “Their little paws may no longer be tapping around the house, but the love they left behind will always find its way home.”

Messages If They've Lost a Cat

• “I'm so sorry to hear about (cat's name). I know how much they meant to you.”
• “Cats have a wonderful way of making themselves unforgettable. Wishing you comfort as you remember all the happy moments you shared.”
• “Cats have a special way of choosing us as much as we choose them. I'm so sorry for your loss, and I'm thinking of you as you remember all the love and companionship you shared.”
• “Cats leave behind more than empty windowsills and favourite sleeping spots. They leave a thousand tiny memories woven into everyday life. Wishing you comfort in the days ahead.”
• “The hardest part of loving a cat is that they never stay long enough. Wishing you peace as you remember all the joy they brought into your life.”

Messages if They’ve Lost a Rabbit

• “The little nose twitches, the excited hops and the peaceful moments sitting together are memories that will stay with you forever. I'm so sorry for your loss.”
• “Your rabbit may have been small, but the love they brought into your home was anything but. Sending you so much love during this difficult time.”
• “Some of the gentlest souls leave the biggest emptiness behind. Thinking of you as you remember your beloved rabbit.”
• “Rabbits leave us with a lifetime of beautiful memories.”
• “I hope one day you'll smile before you cry when you remember the happy hops, nose boops and cheeky moments that made your rabbit so special.”

Messages for Someone Returning to Work

Returning to work after losing a pet can feel surprisingly difficult – but you can lighten the load with a supportive group card.

• “It's lovely to have you back. Just wanted to say I'm still thinking of you.”
• “Welcome back. I hope you're doing okay – please know we're all here for you.”
• “Take things one day at a time. We're glad to see you.”

Quotes for Pet Loss

Sometimes a quote says more than we can. 

• “What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us." – Helen Keller
• “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." – Winnie-the-Pooh
• "Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality." – Emily Dickinson
• "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." – Josh Billings
• "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." – Unconfirmed but attributed to Anatole France

What Not to Say

So now you know what works, it’s time to point out a few of the no-gos. Even well-meaning comments can unintentionally minimise someone's grief.

Try to avoid saying:

• "It was just a pet."
• "You can always get another one."
• "Everything happens for a reason."
• "At least you don't have to walk them anymore."

These lines are like twisting the knife – even if you’re only trying to uplift your coworker. Instead, acknowledge the loss and let your coworker know you're thinking of them.

Should Your Team Send a Gift?

A sympathy card signed by everyone combined with a small collection towards a thoughtful gift can be a lovely way to show support. The gesture doesn't need to be grand – it's just about reminding your coworker that they're not facing a difficult time alone.

Flowers and chocolates are common favourites, but your best bet is often a flexible gift – and the reason is twofold. One, they aren’t thinking clearly right now and two, there are probably a bunch of essentials they’re neglecting due to grief: Groceries, eating, resting. That’s where the AnyCard comes in handy – they don’t have to think through putting flowers in a vase and changing water daily. Instead, they can pick something that would help uplift them – like coffee or a movie, or even get ahead on their weekly shop. And in the midst of grief, flexibility is so much more helpful than a well-meaning, locked-in gift. 

Losing a pet is never easy, but these simple yet powerful messages can remind someone that they're supported – not just as a coworker, but as a person. At GroupTogether, we believe life's biggest moments deserve to be acknowledged, whether they're joyful celebrations or difficult goodbyes. Sometimes, a few heartfelt words from the people you work with every day can provide comfort when it's needed most.

Grief can't be fixed by a card, but it can be made a little less lonely by knowing the people around you care.

Reference:

1. The C.A.R.E. Model of Employee Bereavement Support (Journal of Occupational Health Psychology): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34472904/