Prayer for a Dying Dog and for the Death of a Dog

Losing a dog can hurt as much as losing a family member, because a dog is a faithful companion who shares your daily life. It is good and right to pray for a dying dog, to ask God for the grace to care for it to the end, and to thank him for its life when it dies. Below are prayers for a sick or dying dog, a prayer for the hard decision to put a dog to sleep, prayers after the death of a dog, and what Scripture and the Catholic Church say about God’s care for animals. St. Francis of Assisi, patron of animals, and St. Roch, whose dog fed him when he was sick, are good companions in this sorrow.

A short prayer for a dying dog, written for this page:

Lord, you made every creature and you care for each one.
Look with kindness on my dog, (name), who is near the end of life.
Take away its pain, give it peace, and help me to stay by its side with love. St. Francis, pray for us. Amen.

Prayer for a sick or dying dog

Written for this page.

Lord, (name) has been my faithful friend for many years.
Now my dog is old (or sick) and suffering.
If it is your will, ease its pain; if its time has come, let it go gently.
Thank you for the love and joy you have given me through this good animal. Amen.

Prayer when deciding to put a dog to sleep

The Church teaches that animals are entrusted to our care and that we must not make them suffer needlessly (Catechism, 2416–2418). Ending an animal’s suffering when there is no hope of recovery, with the advice of a veterinarian, can be an act of mercy.

Lord, I must make a hard decision for (name).
Give me wisdom to know what is kind and courage to do it.
Let my dog feel my love to the last moment, and forgive me if I hesitate or grieve too much. Amen.

Prayer after the death of a dog

Lord, (name) has died, and my home feels empty.
Thank you for the gift of this faithful companion, for the walks, the welcome at the door,
and the comfort in hard times. Heal my sadness, and help me to remember with gratitude. Amen.

A prayer for the family

Lord, comfort our children and all of us who loved (name).
Help us to grieve together, and to see in every creature a sign of your goodness. Amen.

What Scripture says about animals

Psalm 35:7 (Douay-Rheims):

Thy justice is as the mountains of God, thy judgments are a great deep. Men and beasts thou wilt preserve, O Lord:

Proverbs 12:10 (Douay-Rheims):

The just regardeth the lives of his beasts: but the bowels of the wicked are cruel.

The dog of Tobias, who traveled with the young Tobias and the angel Raphael, ran ahead to announce their return home (Tobias 11:9, Douay-Rheims):

Then the dog, which had been with them in the way, ran before, and coming as if he had brought the news, shewed his joy by his fawning and wagging his tail.

Do dogs go to heaven?

The Church teaches that animals are God’s creatures, that he surrounds them with his providential care, and that by their very existence they bless and glorify him (Catechism, 2416). It does not teach that animals have immortal souls like human beings, and it has never defined what becomes of them. Scripture speaks of a new creation in which God will make “all things new.” We can entrust our dog to the goodness of the God who made it, knowing that nothing good that he has made is wasted.

Frequently asked questions

Is it all right to pray for my dog?

Yes. You can pray for your dog’s health and comfort, and thank God for its life. We do not pray for an animal’s soul as we do for people, but we can always bring our love and sorrow to God.

Who is the patron saint of dogs?

St. Roch, whose dog brought him bread when he was sick, and St. Francis of Assisi, patron of all animals. See the St. Roch prayer and the patron saint of dogs.

Is it normal to grieve so much for a dog?

Yes. Grief for a pet is real. Be patient with yourself and talk to someone who understands.

More prayers

Texts and sources

Psalm 35:7; Proverbs 12:10; Tobias 11:9 (Douay-Rheims).
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2416–2418 (paraphrased).