36 Songs About Losing a Pet, for the Hardest Goodbye

What is a good song for losing a pet?

"Angel" by Sarah McLachlan is the song most people connect with pets, thanks to the animal-rescue ads it soundtracked. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole is the favorite for the Rainbow Bridge, and "Maggie's Song" by Chris Stapleton, written about his own dog, is the modern song that makes every pet owner cry.

Songs written about beloved pets

1. "Maggie's Song", Chris Stapleton: a tribute to the dog who was part of his family.
2. "Old King", Neil Young: a warm, rambling song about his late hound.
3. "Shannon", Henry Gross: a 1970s hit about a dog who is gone.
4. "Old Shep", Red Foley: the old country song Elvis sang as a boy.
5. "Old Blue", The Byrds: a folk song about a faithful hunting dog.
6. "Nobody Knows", The Lumineers: from Pete's Dragon, a film about a boy and his loyal companion.

Comforting songs for pet loss

7. "Angel", Sarah McLachlan: forever linked with animal rescue.
8. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", Israel Kamakawiwo'ole: the Rainbow Bridge favorite.
9. "You'll Be in My Heart", Phil Collins: a promise to keep them close.
10. "I Will Remember You", Sarah McLachlan: quiet and full of love.
11. "Fire and Rain", James Taylor: about loss and getting through it.
12. "Landslide", Fleetwood Mac: about time and change.
13. "Let It Be", The Beatles: peace in what you cannot change.
14. "See You Again", Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth: about meeting again one day.
15. "Forever Young", Rod Stewart: for a pet who stayed a puppy at heart.
16. "I'll Be Seeing You", Billie Holiday: memories in every familiar place.
17. "You've Got a Friend in Me", Randy Newman: for the friend who was always there.
18. "Count on Me", Bruno Mars: the loyalty pets teach us.

Sad songs for the hardest days

19. "Tears in Heaven", Eric Clapton: grief and hope in one song.
20. "Gone Too Soon", Daughtry: for a life that was too short.
21. "Lost Without You", Freya Ridings: a song many grieving pet owners say describes the empty house.
22. "Will I See You Again", Thee Sacred Souls: a soft soul song about goodbye.
23. "Who Knew", P!nk: about losing someone you thought would always be there.
24. "Wish You Were Here", Pink Floyd: for the empty spot on the couch.
25. "Hallelujah", Jeff Buckley: for the tears that need to come.
26. "Fly", Celine Dion: about letting go.

Country songs about losing a pet

27. "Go Rest High on That Mountain", Vince Gill: the country goodbye.
28. "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away", Justin Moore: wishing for one more visit.
29. "The Dance", Garth Brooks: grateful for every day, even knowing how it ends.
30. "Dancing in the Sky", Dani and Lizzy: imagining them happy and free.
31. "Holes in the Floor of Heaven", Steve Wariner: the idea that they are still watching.

Rainbow bridge songs

32. "Rainbow", Kacey Musgraves: a gentle promise of brighter days.
33. "Home", Phillip Phillips: a place where they are safe.
34. "Feels Like Home", Chantal Kreviazuk: about the comfort they gave.
35. "Stand by Me", Ben E. King: for the one who never left your side.
36. "Three Little Birds", Bob Marley: a gentle reminder not to worry.

The Rainbow Bridge comes from a much-shared poem about pets waiting for their owners in a green meadow, and many people find comfort in it.

Songs about losing a dog

For a dog, "Maggie's Song", "Old King", "Shannon" and "Old Shep" were all written about real dogs. "You've Got a Friend in Me" and "Stand by Me" capture the loyalty, and "Angel" is the song many shelters and rescues use. More dog songs, happy and sad, are in our list of songs about dogs.

Songs about losing a cat

Cats are independent until the day they are gone and the house feels too quiet. "Wish You Were Here", "I'll Be Seeing You", "Landslide" and "I Will Remember You" fit the small daily rituals you miss: the morning greeting, the warm spot on the bed, the window seat.

Saying goodbye at home or at the vet

If you know the goodbye is coming, some families play soft music in the room so the last moments feel calm. Choose something quiet that your pet heard at home, keep the volume low and let the song run while you hold them. There is no wrong choice.

Songs for a pet memorial or slideshow

For a small memorial or a video of photos, open with "You've Got a Friend in Me" over the puppy or kitten pictures, move to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and close with "Angel". Three songs carry about 150 photos. Ideas for a lasting tribute are in our guide to a custom pet memorial song.

Helping children say goodbye to a pet

For many children, a pet is their first loss. Be honest in simple words, let them help choose a song, and let them draw a picture or write a short letter to play the song to. "You've Got a Friend in Me" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" are gentle choices for kids.

A song written about your pet

No famous song knows your pet's name, the way they greeted you at the door or the silly habits that made you laugh. A personalized song can. Many people keep it as a tribute, play it on the anniversary or share it with the friends who loved their pet too. More ideas for animal lovers are in our guide to the best gift for a pet lover.

How to create a song in memory of your pet

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: acoustic, country, pop and more.
2. Add your pet's name and the nicknames you used.
3. Share three memories: how you met, their favorite things and a funny habit.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page you can share and the lyrics as a PDF.

Keep their memory in a song: create a song and hear four previews for free.