20 Songs About Losing a Pet

Losing a pet is never easy. They become part of the family, and their absence can be felt deeply. Music can often help to express what we’re feeling when words alone don’t seem enough. It can be a source of comfort, helping us to remember the happy times we shared with our beloved animal companions.

If you just recently lost a pet, you might find some solace in these songs about losing a pet. We made a list of some of our favorites to help you through this difficult time. Here are 20 songs that will resonate with you if you’re grieving the loss of a pet.

1. “Old Grey Dog” by Jimmy Scott

Starting off the list is a heartwarming song by the late great Jimmy Scott. “Old Grey Dog” is a beautiful tribute to a loyal companion who has passed away.

The lyrics express how much this pet meant to the singer and how their loss leaves a hole in their life. It was released in 2010 as part of his Rhymes and Times album.

2. “I Will Always Be With You” by Sheena Easton and Jesse Corti

The next song is about how dogs love their hoomans just as much as we love them. The lyrics are from a dog’s point of view and if you lost a furry friend, this song will remind you that your pet will still be looking after you even if he is no longer there. It was released in 1996 and was featured in the movie “All Dogs Go To Heaven 2”.

3. “I Want a Dog” by Hobo Johnson

Hobo Johnson’s “I Want a Dog” was released in 2019 as part of his The Fall of Hobo Johnson album. It’s about wanting to own a dog so bad, which can be a natural feeling after losing one. This song can be streamed on all music platforms out there.

4. “Everything Reminds Me of My Dog” by Jane Siberry

The next song is one that will definitely hit close to home if you just lost a pet. “Everything Reminds Me of My Dog” is about how the singer is constantly reminded of their furry friend who is no longer with them. You can find this track on the Bound by the Beauty album.

5. “Chasing Butterflies” by Frankly Speaking

“Chasing Butterflies” is a song about adopting a rescued dog and how they are just as special as the ones that are bought.

It also talks about the pain of losing one and knowing that you will see each other again in another time. This track is from Frankly Speaking’s album called Depending on the Weather.

6. “It’s Just a Dog” by Mo Pitney

Next on the list is a song about how, even though a dog is just an animal, they can be such a big part of our lives. Mo Pitney sings about rescuing a stray dog and taking care of it like his own. It was released in 2016 as part of his Behind This Guitar album.

7. “My Dear Helen” by Andy Shauf

This next song is about losing your partner and your dog is all the companion you have left. It’s a sad song from start to finish, but it’s a reminder that even though our pets are just animals, they’re a big part of our lives. It was released in 2015 and you can find it on his The Bearer of Bad News album.

8. “Sometimes I Don’t Mind” by The Suicide Machines

“Sometimes I Don’t Mind” is a song about how, even though we might not always want them around, our pets are always there for us.

They’re always happy to see us, no matter how bad our day is going. It was released in 2000 as part of the album The Suicide Machines and can also be streamed on all music platforms out there.

9. “I Wish Dogs Could Live Forever” by Tyler Farr

You can already tell what this song is about from the title. It’s a ballad about a man who wishes dogs could live forever, because he’s lost one that was very special to him.

It was released in 2020 as part of the Only Truck In Town album and it now has over 200k views on Youtube, making it one of his most popular tracks.

10. “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan

Sarah McLachlan’s “I Will Remember You” is a song about the loss of a loved one, but it could easily apply to the loss of a pet.

It was originally written for The Brothers McMullen movie soundtrack in 1995. This track was released in 1993 as part of the Fumbling Towards Ecstasy album.

11. “Ghost of Buddy” by Wisdom in Chains

“Ghost of Buddy” is a hardcore punk song by Wisdom in Chains about a dog that was put down. The dog’s owner is struggling to cope with the loss and the song is his way of dealing with the pain.

It was released in 2012 as part of The Missing Links album. It now has over 200k views on Youtube and can also be streamed on other music platforms.

12. “Martha, My Dear” by The Beatles

Next on the list is a song by The Beatles called “Martha, My Dear.” This is a ballad that Paul McCartney wrote about his dog Martha.

The lyrics are very touching and describe the deep bond between a man and his furry friend. It was released in 1968 as part of their self-titled album which is also called The White Album.

13. “Goodbye My Friend” by Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt released a song in 1989 called “Goodbye My Friend.” This tune is about saying goodbye to a pet that has passed away.

The lyrics are very sad but also offer a sense of comfort and hope. They speak to the idea that even though our pets are gone, they will always be with us in spirit.

14. “Shannon” by Henry Gross

“Shannon” is a song written by Henry Gross in 1976. It is originally about the passing of Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys. During her concert, a fan requested this song as tribute for her deceased dog. It can still be streamed on all music platforms out there.

15. “The Day You Went Away” by Wendy Matthews

Next on the list is “The Day You Went Away” by Wendy Matthews. This song is about the feeling of loneliness and loss that comes after a loved one leaves.

The lyrics talk about how the world seems different and empty without that person around. It was released in 1992 as part of her Lily album.

16. “Little Boys Grow Up and Dogs Get Old” by Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan’s “Little Boys Grow Up and Dogs Get Old” is a heartwarming song about how the love between a boy and his dog can last a lifetime.

The lyrics talk about how the boy will grow up and change, but his dog will always be there for him. It now has over 170k views on Youtube and can also be streamed on all music platforms out there.

17. “Last One to Die” by Rancid

“Last One to Die” is a punk song by Rancid about how we’re all going  to leave this world one day. The lyrics talk about how we’re all going to die, but we’re not alone in this journey.

We all have our loved ones with us, and they will continue on after we’re gone. It was released in 2009 as part of their Let the Dominoes Fall album.

18. “A Dog Named Fletcher” by Atlantic Wasteland

The next song on the list is “A Dog Named Fletcher” by Atlantic Wasteland. This song is in a dog’s perspective and talks about how he was confined in a vet clinic and how he wants to go home.

It’s a sad song that will make you think about all the pets that are currently sick and away from their family. You can find this on the You’ll Never See the Bigger Picture If You’re Standing That Close album.

19. “Good Dog” by Oliver Houston

“Good Dog” is a song by Oliver Houston about how dogs are always there for us, even when we’re feeling down.

The lyrics talk about how dogs never judge us and they’re always happy to see us. It was released in 2017 as part of the Whatever Works album.

20. “Your Dog Loves You” by Colde (feat. Crush)

Finishing off the list is “Your Dog Loves You” by Colde (feat. Crush). This song is about how we sometimes take our loved ones for granted.

The lyrics talk about how we should cherish the time we have with them because they won’t be around forever. It’s one of their most popular tracks and has over 16 million views on Youtube.

Final Thoughts

Losing a pet is never easy, but there are plenty of songs out there that can help express those feelings. If you’re looking for a good cry or just want to remember your furry friend, then give some of these tunes a listen. They might just make you feel a little better. Thanks for reading!