Looking for prayers about the death of a dog? We are so sorry for the loss of a beloved canine companion and a true member of the family. I offer these prayers to you to give you words when you may not have your own.
It can be hard to pray when you are in the grip of grief. Our dogs may just be pets, but we know they are very much a part of our family, and we miss them when they die.
We have so many memories that are interwoven with our dog that it’s difficult to unwrap those times when our dog is no longer here. It’s a powerful thought to consider the impact of our pet dog on our life and enjoyment, isn’t it?
Know that your love for your dog is an extension of God at work in your life, as “The righteous care for the needs of their animals” (Proverbs 12.10, NIV). Take comfort that you were a good dog owner.
You took care of your pet and loved him/her. Your pet loved you back. You were good for each other, so let those good memories have space in your thoughts right now as well.
Rest also in the truth that your fur baby was formed by God, just for you, “Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name” (Genesis 2.19, NIV).
As a longtime dog owner, I understand what you are feeling right now, and what you are experiencing. We let these furry companions into our life. They give us loyalty and unconditional love and joy. It naturally hurts when we lose them in death.
May these four prayers minister to your tender emotions right now. As you pray, may your own words come forth as you share your heart with God. Whatever emotions you are feeling, you can express them in prayer, for God hears us when we pray. You may leave other prayer requests down below in the comments section as well.
Short Prayer for the Death of a Dog
Father God in heaven, our dog has died! I went out to feed her and she was just laid out on the ground beside her dog house. We are awash in grief!
We’re going to have to take her to the vet this morning so he can hopefully tell us what happened. Do dogs have heart attacks or strokes or stuff like that?
I’m at a loss for words, Lord, so I don’t even know what to tell our children as to why (name) isn’t alive anymore. Help me get through this morning, Lord, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer for Euthanizing a Dog
Dear God, we have to take our dearly loved pet dog, (name) to the vet this afternoon to be put down. Euthanized sounds so harsh to even say. All I know is that we have to say goodbye to longtime companion in our family.
I’m grateful for our veterinarian and his kindness to let us all be there to say goodbye. He has graciously allowed me to be in the exam room with (name) as he administers the shots needed. I know it’s just a dog, but I want my longtime pet to know she’s not alone in those final moments.
This has been a tough decision, Lord, as you know we’ve prayed and prayed for weeks about this. Her health has deteriorated rapidly and there’s no real treatment so we know this is the compassionate choice. It’s just so tough.
(Name) has been our fur baby for 12 years, so loyal and integral to our family. Some of our favorite memories involve our dog playing with us, walking with us, and simply being a calming presence with us. We’re going to miss our dog, God.
I pray this whole process goes well, as this is the first time I’m having to do it with a pet dog. Thank you for all the love (name) has given to us as our pet. Help us in our grief. I ask all these things in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer for the Death of a Dog
Dear God, our beloved pet dog (name) died today. We knew the time was coming as he kept staying close to us wherever we went in the house. Even with a bum leg, he would hop around to be near to us.
It’s like he know he was dying and wanted us to be there when he did. I don’t really know, God, but it makes me feel better to think that’s what happened. Help us and comfort us, Lord. There’s already an emptiness in the house without his presence here.
I pray for our family to deal with this loss well. It’s going to be hard on all of us, so enable us to talk out what we’re feeling, God, and not keep it bottled up inside us. We so loved that dog. It’s still hard to believe he’s gone.
I lift up my children to you Lord, in the midst of this. Help us as parents walk through this alongside them. They’re going to have so many questions that we’re not going to have easy answers for them to hear.
Grant us wisdom and kindness in this grieving time in our family, Lord. Hear my prayer, O God, in the strong name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Prayer for a Dog Hit by a Car
Father God, our dog (name) got hit by a car today and was killed. We are devastated. I’ve already had to bury him because I don’t want the kids to see his body in that condition.
Please give me the words to tell this hard news. This is really their first brush with death in their lives, Lord. I don’t want this to traumatize them, but I can’t dilute the truth that (name) is dead and gone.
Help me with my anger toward the driver, God, because he/she didn’t even stop to see what they had done–they just kept on driving. I can’t let my emotions get wrapped up in all of that, Lord so grant me peace. Help me to focus.
Thank you for (name) and all the faithful companionship he provided to me, and to our family. He was such a loyal, furry friend. It hurts to know he died experiencing such pain.
Thank you for hearing my prayer, even about a dog, Lord. I make this prayer in the comforting presence of the One who never leaves us, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Final Thoughts
“God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1.25, NIV).
If God said animals were good then that includes your dog, cat, and any other pet. Your dog is gone and you miss (name).
Whatever breed he was, or if she was a mix, or simply a mutt, your dog was yours. Your pet, your companion, your friend, your attentive listener, your eager walking companion, even your home alarm.
Those are impressive characteristics for a dog to have. It’s also why we miss them when they die and pass on. And that’s also why we can be comforted in prayer.
We don’t have to worry about whether it’s “okay” to pray to God about our dog. We don’t need to feel odd about “bothering God with something so small when there’s all those problems in the world.” God loves us and wants to be in a relationship with us.
So, we can come to God in prayer with anything, anytime, anywhere, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4.16, NIV).
Feel free to modify the prayers above for your specific situation. They are intended to be a help to connect you with God. Pray and keep on praying as God’s peace surrounds you. You may also share your personal prayer requests in the section below as well.
