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Discover how your late pet may send you messages from the afterlife
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Pets are more than just furry (or feathery or scaly) friends. When you bring a pet into your home, it truly becomes part of the family. After losing a pet, it’s normal to go through a grieving process, and you should take the time you need to properly mourn and celebrate your pet’s life. But if you’re wondering if your pet is still coming to check in on you, there are several signs that your pet is not quite ready to part with you either. Read below for an exhaustive list of signs that your deceased pet is visiting you or sending you a message from the big dog park in the sky.

Afterlife Signs From Deceased Pets

You may hear animal sounds like barking, scratching, or a collar jingling. Or, you’ll smell something that reminds you of them—like their shampoo fragrance or favorite treat. You may also feel a sudden change in temperature as your pet’s spirit passes through.

4

You glimpse them out of the corner of your eye.

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  1. You could blame it on a shifting shadow or a trick of the light, but it may be the spirit of your deceased pet. Your animal may be trying to make its presence known.[4]
    • The next time you think you see your pet, acknowledge it out loud and tell them how much you love receiving visits from them.
    • These types of visits are most commonly reported among dog owners, as dogs like to stay close to their families, even in the afterlife.
    • Most people believe that you see spirits using peripheral vision rather than direct vision, so it makes sense that you’re only seeing them out of the corner of your eye.
    • You may not even see them, but sense that they’re looking at you and watching over you.
5

Your other pets are looking at an empty space.

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  1. They may even look like they’re playing with another animal but are really playing by themselves. It’s possible that they can see your deceased pet and are enjoying their company.[5]
    • If your current pet never lived with your past one, it may become protective of its food, toys, or favorite spots in the house.
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13

Objects inexplicably move from room to room.

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  1. Perhaps they’re hiding your personal belongings somewhere you’d never put them. Or maybe the same object keeps getting knocked off a shelf or kitchen countertop.
    • Dogs often knock off items close to the ground, usually in the living room and kitchen.
    • Cats, on the other hand, can access almost any part of the house and may mess with items on your bookshelf, kitchen counter, or wardrobe.
    • These playful actions by your pet are not meant to spook you. They’re just trying to engage with you and have a little harmless fun!
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14

You find unexplained scratches or markings.

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  1. These markings are most likely to appear on the same pieces of furniture where your pet used to scratch or chew. You may initially feel frustrated that your pet’s way of communicating with you is by damaging your nice leather sofa (yay!).
    • However, you should feel happy to know that nothing has changed and your pet is still with you.
    • Finding scratches or markings after a pet’s death is actually a rare sign of spiritual contact, and it may indicate that you are particularly connected to the spirit world.
19

You see small orbs or flashes of light.

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  1. Appearing as an unexplained orb or ball of light may be your deceased pet’s way of comforting and supporting you during your time of grief.
    • You may also see this luminous phenomenon when dealing with an obstacle in your personal life.
    • Your pet may be reaching out to let you know that you’re never truly alone and that they’ll be by your side as you heal and overcome this hurdle.
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26

You encounter other birds or winged creatures.

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35

You see their aura.

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  1. Close your eyes or soften your vision. Try to envision your pet and the energy that surrounds them. If you notice a specific color around you, this is a sign that your deceased pet is still with you.
    • An animal’s aura typically resembles the color of their owner’s aura.
    • Don’t be concerned if you can’t see your pet’s aura—seeing auras takes time, practice, and a strong psychic link to the spiritual world.
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About This Article

Jason Zuk
Reviewed by:
Intuitive Psychic Medium
This article was reviewed by Jason Zuk and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophie Burkholder, BA. Jason Zuk is a Psychic Medium based in Tampa, Florida. He has almost 20 years of experience and has worked professionally as a psychic medium for six years. Jason works with people to confront obstacles and challenges so they can reach personal clarity. He is the Producer and Host of the podcast, The Social Psychic Radio Show, which is a seven-time Award Winning Podcast ranked in the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Jason is also the Producer and Co-Host with Megan Kane of his second show, Psychic Visions Podcast, which is signed with ElectraCast Media. Jason received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tampa, a Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University, and an LL.M. (Master of Law) in International & Comparative Law from Georgetown University. This article has been viewed 100,779 times.
201 votes - 93%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: August 20, 2025
Views: 100,779
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 100,779 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Brenda C.

    Brenda C.

    Jun 26

    "So many of these things have happened to me, and it is comforting, like a snuggle from my fur baby. Harley passed..." more
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