How to Write a Pet Obituary (With Examples)

A pet obituary is a short piece of writing that says who your pet was: their name, the years they were here, and the small, specific things that made them yours. It doesn’t need to be long or polished. The sweetest ones simply sound like the person who loved them.

Take your time with this. Below we gently walk through what to include, a simple structure you can follow, three short examples, and answers to the questions people ask most when they sit down to write one.

What to Include in a Pet Obituary

You don’t need every item below. Pick the ones that feel true to them.

Their full name and any nicknames. The silly ones count. “Sir Reginald, known to everyone as Reggie” tells a reader a lot.
What kind of animal they were. Breed or mix if you know it, or just “a black cat with one white whisker.”
When they came home and when they died. Exact dates if you have them, or “spring of 2014” if you don’t. Many people with rescued pets use a “gotcha day” instead of a birthday.
How they came into your life. A shelter, a litter down the street, a box left on a porch.
Their personality. The habits, the routines, the things they did that nobody else would understand.
The people and animals who loved them. Family members, a best dog friend, the neighbor who always had treats.
What you will miss. Often this is one small thing: the sound of their collar, the weight on your feet at night.
A closing line. A thank-you, a goodbye, or a line that sounds like them.

A Simple Structure to Follow

If you are stuck, use these five short paragraphs. Each one can be a single sentence.

The announcement. Their name, what they were, and when they died. “Biscuit, our golden retriever, died at home on October 3, 2026, at the age of twelve.”
The beginning. How they arrived. “He came from a shelter in Marietta as a nervous puppy who hid under the kitchen table for a week.”
Who they were. Two or three specific details. “He believed every walk was a parade in his honor. He carried one sock everywhere and never chewed it.”
Who loved them. “He leaves behind Sarah, Mike, the kids, and Pepper the cat, who pretended not to like him.”
The goodbye. “Thank you for twelve years of muddy paws and full hearts, Biscuit.”

Three Short Examples

These are written for this guide, not taken from real tributes. Use them for shape, not for words.

For a Dog

Rosie, a beagle mix with a voice the whole street knew, died peacefully on June 2, 2026. She was fourteen. Rosie came to us from a rescue at three years old and decided on day one that the left side of the couch was hers. She howled at the mail carrier, the garbage truck and, once, a balloon. She was patient with toddlers, suspicious of squirrels and devoted to cheese. We miss her every time the doorbell rings and nobody answers it. Good girl, Rosie.

For a Cat

Mr. Whiskers, a gray tabby who ran our house for sixteen years, died on March 18, 2026. He arrived as a kitten in a shoebox from a coworker and immediately climbed the curtains. In his later years he preferred sunbeams, warm laundry and supervising every meal. He was not a lap cat, except when it was most inconvenient. Our mornings are too quiet without him.

For a Small Pet

Peanut, our guinea pig, died on August 9, 2026, after five happy years. She squeaked every time the fridge opened, in case it was lettuce. It usually was. Peanut was our daughter’s first pet and taught her how to be gentle. Thank you, little one.

Tips for When the Words Won’t Come

Start with a list, not sentences. Write ten things you remember, then turn three of them into lines.
Be specific. “She loved walks” could be any dog. “She stopped at the same fire hydrant every morning for eleven years” could only be her.
It’s fine to be funny. Many of the most loved tributes make people laugh. Humor is part of who they were.
Ask family for one memory each. It takes the pressure off you, and the tribute becomes something you made together.
Read it out loud. If it sounds like you talking about them, it is finished.
Take your time. You can write a few lines now and add more later.

Where to Share a Pet Obituary

Most people share a pet obituary in more than one place: a social media post for friends, a message to family, a printed copy kept with their ashes or collar, or a memorial page that collects photos and the full story in one link. Some vet clinics and local newspapers also accept short pet notices, though newspaper pricing and policies vary, so check with the paper directly.

On Furbituary you can create a free tribute with their story, dates and photos, choose who can see it (everyone, only people you share the link with, or just you), and share one link with everyone who loved them. A real person reads every tribute with care before it’s shared.

Questions People Ask

How Long Should a Pet Obituary Be?

Anywhere from three sentences to a few paragraphs. Most fall between 100 and 300 words. Length matters far less than detail.

Is It Strange to Write an Obituary for a Pet?

No. Pets are family, and grieving them is normal. Writing about them is one of the simplest ways to remember them and to let other people who loved them grieve with you.

Should I Mention How My Pet Died?

Only if you want to. Many people simply write “died peacefully” or “passed away at home.” You never owe anyone the details.

Can I Write One for a Pet That Died Years Ago?

Yes. There is no deadline on remembering someone. Some people write a tribute on an anniversary or when they finally feel ready.

What If I’m Struggling With the Loss?

Grief for a pet can be as heavy as any other loss. Free, confidential support is available from the Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline and Lap of Love. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.