Is there a prayer I can say for my deceased pet?

Question:

My pond fish died today and I was wondering whether there was an appropriate mourner's prayer to say for him.

Answer:

The loss of life is a sad event. Yet, there is a special sanctity to the human soul, and a specific pain when there is loss of human life. Thus, while we may be saddened by the loss of a pet, there is no prescribed mourning period.

When a person passes away, we wish to promote the continued journey of the soul in the spiritual worlds. To this end we say and do specific things to aid it on its voyage. The Kaddish prayer, study of Mishna, and increasing in charity on behalf of the departed are examples of things that are done to give the soul extra strength, an added boost on its journey.

While there is no specific prayer said when an animal dies, doing extra good deeds, such as increasing in charity, is always a good idea!

All the best,

Rabbi Shmuel Kogan

See also: Do Dogs Go to Heaven?

By Shmuel Kogan

Rabbi Shmuel Kogan of Brooklyn, NY, is a responder for Chabad.org's Ask the Rabbi feature.

All names of persons and locations or other identifying features referenced in these questions have been omitted or changed to preserve the anonymity of the questioners.

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49 Comments

Stacy Oklahoma City March 5, 2024

Shalom shalom
Ecclesiastes speaks of an animals spirit and man's spirit having no advantage, all return to dust.
But in the Torah, the nephesh is the soul and all living, BREATHING things have souls
Rabbi, can you simplify the Hebrew soul from spirit do I grasp it better? My eyes are closed. Thank you! Reply

Gil Schwartz New York April 28, 2024

in response to Stacy :

This Rabbi seems to regard dogs and cats as mere livestock with no souls. Accordingly, they therefore would have no place in the Olam Habah. I sought my answers elsewhere regarding prayers and blessings for my beloved dog when I lost her. She certainly had a nephesh. I felt that to not pray for her would have been a terrible dishonor. I mean no disrespect to the Rabbi here. Reply

Rabbi Mendel Adelman for chabad.org May 8, 2024

in response to Stacy :

Ecclesiastes 3:19 says: "man has no superiority over beast". However, that sentence is said specifically about those who act like beasts. Rashi explains that the entire chapter is noting that a person should rejoice specifically over their actions (verse 22), rather than their possessions. Because after death, the person withers away. His soul ascends upwards to be judged, while the soul of an animal descends downwards (verse 21) so humans cannot act like beasts.

Humans who use their human soul to accomplish good and holy things are indeed better than animals.

For more about the soul, see here Reply

Gerald Coffin Greenville October 4, 2019

I always ask for my little dogs health, I pray everyday and ask for blessings for anyone that needs it,, I thank God for my safety and good health and for my family and my little dog Reply

Shayna Australia November 6, 2017

I totally agree. Our pets are precious souls who provide company, inspiration and love. The world would be a sad place without them. Reply

Anonymous November 6, 2017

A prayer of gratitude to G_d would be in order for having made dogs, cats, horses and other animals in general, and for allowing such a special one to be one's friend and helper. Reply

Steve A. Oxnard, ca. May 2, 2017

my little chiwawa that I inhearted from my mother after her passing. got away from my brother in law walking all three of our dogs, and ran into the street where she got ran over by a speeding car, which never stopped. we just buried her, and i'd like to know of a prayer I can read over her grave. if anybody knows one please email. Reply

Jerry New Bedford March 19, 2016

Please say a prayer for my pitbull beans who passed last sunday...she was 12..and i miss my little girl everyday.. Reply

Margarita Bowers Akron, Ohio USA October 30, 2015

No SPECIFIC prayer ?? But I do mourn when my pets die. Maybe there is no specific prayer for when an animal dies. So, I have learned sit and talk to G_d, about how I feel, He will understand. These pets are like Family to me. And I love them all, and am thankful for them. They don't disappoint me, and I understand them better than I do humans. Reply

Anonymous California October 29, 2015

With all do respect that was horrible advice Rabbi. Reply

Stephanie Ashland, Oregon October 19, 2012

Pets and Souls Dear Rabbi

Won't you be surprised when you see your beloved pets greet you on the other side. Don't underestimate G-d's creations and their purpose. That said........any place that my animal companions are is Heaven to me! G-d's Peace to Romeo, Delta, Mallory, Hanky, Sunny, and my dearest boy Chad. May Their Souls be Bound in Life Eternal. Reply

Shayna Victoria, Australia July 29, 2012

Re: Euthanasia Dear Margarita, I really feel for you. We had to make the same decision nearly three years ago. The pain for us was awful, but it passes. Don't let your beloved pet suffer any longer than it should. If your pet is in pain and sick, then it is time to say cheerio, it is not fair to keep our pets alive just so that we don't suffer from losing them. I thought it might be a 'sin' also, but we had no choice, our pet was very ill and his life would not improve. In the end, we were pleased we did not let him suffer any longer. We still love him and talk about him often, he will be in our hearts forever. Reply

Shayna Victoria, Australia July 29, 2012

Death of Pet I keep thinking of the pain we felt when putting our little dog to sleep, we know we had to do it out of kindness and love for him and our Vet was very caring.
I will also pray for Sidney Alexander and for his owner. The pain is awful, but it does pass off over time. It has been nearly three years since our dog passed on and we will never forget him. Reply

Margarita Bowers Akron, Ohio, USA July 27, 2012

Euthanasia ??? I never , ever had to have a beloved pet "put to sleep".
But this pet is disoriented, and very sick and the vet. can not do any more for her.

I felt tht having to "put a pet to sleep", might be committing a sin against G_d and the pet.
But the Rabbi, said, it is recommended to do so, because of the commandment regarding tzaar baalei chayim (the suffering of animals).
Does anyone else here know about this, and where can I find more info on this?

Has anyone else here felt the same way I do?

Thanks for any replys. Reply

Basha Reiss Naperville, Il July 23, 2012

Death of pet My beloved dog Sidney Alexander, who has provided me with love, comfort and support will be euthanized tomorrow, He is in pain and there is no hope of recovery. He has fought 3 different cancers for a year or more and deserves a peaceful rest. I will pray for him and I will pray for myself too because he was my family. Reply

AO East Northport, NY July 10, 2012

My Beautiful Cat "Pesty" Pesty past away yesterday on us. He was 24 years old. I can not imagine anyone telling me he didn't have a soul. He lived with me for almost half my life. When I was in dark place in my life Pesty showed me the light. At 18 he was diagnosed with Cancer. It didn't look hopeful. I prayed so hard to G-d to give me 5 more years, so G-d granted me 6 more years. Pesty was a gift from G-d to me and was my savior.
Now I pray that he is in G-d's house and I pray to meet up with him again some day.

I mean no disrespect, but as far as I'm concerned he was my son and I will bereave him as a father to a son. Reply

Anonymous ny, ny June 16, 2012

Izzy I agree that prayer is not limited to human life. Frankly I believe in looking at the worldd on a case by case basis. My dog had all my love and gave it back in return. Another reason that she earned an elevated status is tbat I was deathly ill shortly after getting her as a puppy: diabetes, ulcers, eating disorder and clinicall depression.
The dog saved my life, and sacrificed alot of happy puppy time to bring her daddy back to life.
What the rabbi is going on is biblical, in which animals are only considered "livestock". People did not adopt animals as pets or as family members.
God bless Izzy, she was the sun in my sky, and my little angel that hashem sent to me to heal my broken heart.
I rejoice in her memory and mourn for her with all my heart. No offense to conservative judaism, but to not bless her would be dishonorable. Reply

Esther Toronto, Canada May 1, 2012

My beloved puppy I lost my little dog this week after a long bout with respiratory disease. We had to make the difficult decision to put him to sleep before he suffocated horribly. He was nearly 12. My heart is broken and I haven't been able to get his last moments out of my mind. I lit a 7 day yorzeit candle for him and I said El Moleh Rachamim. Last night was the anniversary of my father's death. I went to synagoge and said Kaddish for both of them. I know my father wouldn't have minded and I don't think G-d does either. That little dog meant more to me than most people and under Jewish law he had a soul - nefesh. I believe G-d wants us to do what we feel is right for ourselves and does not limit prayers to homo sapiens. If G-d is all about love, then he understands. Reply

Anonymous New Mexico July 17, 2017

in response to Esther:

I understand the pain of losing a beloved dog. The most difficult decision I had to make was knowing the time had come to put my dog down. As I watched him suffer I prayed to St. Francis for guidance and it came to me that if I loved him then the mercifully thing to do was to relieve him of his agony. He held on only because he knew I was not ready to let go and then I realized that I was being selfish rather than considering the suffering he was going through. God has a place in heaven Over the Rainbow Bridge where all animals go never to be sick again. I know one day I will be with all of the dogs I have had since I was a child for they are forever in my heart. They are Earth Angels! Reply

Victoria New Zealand March 25, 2012

Patrick, my daughter's cat My daughter's beloved cat, Patrick, got ran over last night. It is a sad time for us. We thank G-d for His gift for lending us Patrick, the joy he brought to my daughter's life, and to the whole family. Patrick is Home now. Reply

Kevin aberdeen, uk October 11, 2011

pet loss I would be grateful if you could join me in prayer for my dear departed dog Sam.Due to liver problems he was put to sleep on August 11.This has broken my heart & left me devastated. Reply

Diane in NH Deering, NH August 28, 2011

Pets God created our pets just as he created us. They feel, they think and express their feelings to us. I had to have my 16year old Pom Lady put to sleep 2 days ago. My Black Lab spent a night and a day laying not in her own bed, but on my Pom's bed. She knew. God bless all our pets who bring so much love and joy into our lives and never ask for more than to be fed and loved. They love us unconditionally. Too bad we humans aren't more like them. Reply

Oxyballids June 20, 2011

Jewish prayr for a deceased pet Just say or share a poem or your own words, express yourself, as in a eulogy. Part of the purpose of the prayer is for the living to find comfort & peace, feel better, heal & move on, & that or this will definitely help with this or that.

Regards, & may all those who are grieving or going through a loss as am I, find their own peace & healing Reply

David slossberg St. Petersburg Fl April 15, 2024

in response to Oxyballids:

I am watching my beloved poodle Oliver Wendell Slossberg taking is last breaths, he has been such comfort to me and his souls is pure. I am glad I read this tonight. Reply

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