Questions, gently answered

Keep it simple and sincere. Say the pet's name, acknowledge the loss, and let them know you care. You don't need to find perfect words; being there matters more.

A few gentle things to say: "I'm so sorry about Bella. She was lucky to have you." "I know how much he meant to you." "I'll always remember how she greeted everyone at the door." "I'm here if you want to talk about him."

Try to avoid "It was just a pet", "At least it wasn't a person", or "When will you get another one?". To someone grieving, a pet is family, and those words can feel like the loss doesn't count.

Small gestures help too: a card, a shared photo, a favourite memory, or checking in again a week or two later, when the first wave of sympathy has passed.

Is it normal to grieve a pet this much?

If you've recently lost a pet, a film or book where an animal dies can be very hard to sit through. It's completely reasonable to check first.

Search for the film's title followed by "does the dog die". Websites such as DoesTheDogDie.com collect warnings from viewers about films, TV shows and books, including whether an animal is hurt or dies, so you can decide before you press play.

Yes. Creating and keeping a memorial is free, with up to 10 photos, a tribute and kind words from family and friends. There are no adverts on memorial pages.

Garden membership, a plot in The Garden plus pet sounds and video stories, will be an optional one-time purchase. Memorials stay free whether or not you choose it.

Create a memorial

Yes. Each memorial can be public, so you can share it with family and friends, or private, so only you can see it when signed in. You can change this at any time.

The Garden is a painted storybook garden we're creating, where the pets we've loved rest together, each with their own hand-drawn plot linked to their memorial. Pre-booking a plot costs nothing and doesn't commit you to anything.

Visit The Garden

National Love Your Pet Day is on 20 February each year. It's a day to celebrate the animals in our lives: an extra walk, a new toy, a favourite treat, or simply some quiet time together.

It can also be a gentle day to remember a pet who has died, by looking through their photos or adding a memory to their memorial.

It depends on your pet and on your savings. Insurance is most useful for large, unexpected bills, such as an emergency operation or a long-term illness, which can cost far more than most people have set aside.

It tends to be worth it if a big vet bill would be hard to pay, or if your pet's breed is prone to health problems. It may matter less if you could comfortably cover a large bill from savings.

Before choosing a policy, check whether it covers ongoing ("lifetime") conditions, what it excludes, and how the price rises with age. Most policies don't cover conditions your pet already has, so it's usually best to insure while they're young and healthy.

Act quickly. Blot up as much as you can with a clean cloth or paper towel. Don't rub, which pushes the stain deeper.

Spray the area with a mix of equal parts white vinegar and water, leave it for 5 to 10 minutes, then blot dry. Once it's nearly dry, sprinkle baking soda over the spot, leave it for a few hours or overnight to draw out the smell, then vacuum it up.

Test on a hidden spot first, especially on wool or delicate fabrics. For urine, an enzyme cleaner from a pet shop is the most reliable way to break down the smell fully, which also stops your pet from returning to the same spot.

Licking is usually a sign of affection. Cats groom the cats they're closest to, so when your cat licks you, they're treating you as family.

They may also be marking you with their scent, asking for attention, or enjoying the salt on your skin. Gentle licking is nothing to worry about. If it becomes constant, or they're licking themselves until fur comes away, it can be a sign of stress, and a vet can help.

Cats meow mostly to talk to people, so a chatty cat is often asking for food, attention, play, or to be let in or out. Some breeds, such as Siamese, are simply more talkative.

Changes are worth noticing. A sudden increase in meowing can mean stress, boredom, being in heat, or a health problem. In older cats, loud night-time meowing can be linked to an overactive thyroid, high blood pressure, or confusion that comes with age.

If your cat suddenly meows much more than usual, or seems unsettled, unwell, or in pain, it's best to ask your vet.

Occasional vomiting is common in cats. Hairballs, eating too quickly, or a sudden change of food are frequent causes. Smaller meals, a slow-feeder bowl, regular brushing and changing food gradually can all help.

Please call your vet the same day if your cat vomits several times in a day, vomits blood, seems tired or in pain, stops eating, can't keep water down, or may have eaten something harmful, such as lilies, string or medicine. Regular vomiting, even if your cat seems well, is also worth a check-up.

Shedding is natural, so you can't stop it completely, but you can reduce how much hair ends up around the home.

Brush your dog regularly, daily during spring and autumn when many dogs shed most, with a brush suited to their coat. Feed a good-quality diet; your vet may suggest one with omega-3 fatty acids for coat health. Bathe them occasionally with a dog shampoo, not human shampoo.

If you notice bald patches, sore or itchy skin, or much more shedding than usual, see your vet, as allergies, parasites or other health problems can cause it.

Dogs often shake when they're cold, excited, nervous or frightened, for example during fireworks or at the vet. Small dogs feel the cold more, and some older dogs develop gentle trembling in their back legs.

Shaking can also be a sign of pain, nausea, or illness. Contact your vet straight away if the shaking comes with vomiting, weakness, limping, stumbling or seeming unwell, or if your dog might have eaten something harmful, such as chocolate, grapes or medicine.