By Sophie, co-founder of Beast + Bonbon. Updated November 2026.
Short answer: A good pet memorial blanket is calm and simple: your pet's portrait, their name, and soft colors like sage, cream or navy. Add dates, a paw print or a small favorite object only if it feels right to you. Keep any wording short. A free design proof lets you check every detail before anything is woven.
This guide is for anyone designing a memorial blanket for a dog or cat who has died, whether it is for your own home or a gift for someone grieving. There is no wrong choice here. The ideas below are meant to help you make something that feels like comfort when you see it, not a jolt of sadness.
What should you put on a pet memorial blanket?
Most memorial blankets need only two things: a portrait that looks like your pet on a good day, and their name. Everything else is optional. Start simple, then add one detail if it means something.
- The portrait: choose a photo where they look most like themselves, relaxed and bright eyed, rather than the last photos from when they were ill.
- The name: the name you called them every day. A nickname is fine if that is what everyone used.
- Dates: birth and passing years, or just one year that mattered, such as the year they came home.
- A small element: paw prints, a favorite toy, a ball, a collar tag or a flower can be added to the design.
- A short line: a few words, not a paragraph.
Should a memorial blanket have dates, or just a name?
A name alone is the gentlest choice and suits a blanket you will use every day. Dates make it feel more like a memorial piece. Neither is more correct. Here is how people usually decide:
| Option | How it feels | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Name only | Warm and everyday, like a portrait of a family member | A sofa throw you want to curl up under without thinking of the loss each time |
| Name and years | Clearly a memorial, calm and complete | A bed, a quiet chair, or a gift from the family |
| Name and one meaningful year | Personal, a small story in one number | The year they were adopted or the year you met |
| Name and a short line | Tender and personal | Someone who wants words to hold on to |
If you are unsure, go with name only. You can see how it looks on the free design proof and ask for dates or a line to be added if it feels too plain.
Which colors and styles feel calm for a memorial?
Soft, quiet colors tend to feel most soothing on a memorial blanket. Sage and cream are the calmest. Navy feels classic and steady. Blush is gentle and warm, and suits a cat or a small dog with a sweet nature.
- Original: the portrait on its own. Quiet and timeless.
- Floral: the portrait framed by flowers. Soft and a little like a garden memorial.
- Orchids: an elegant floral frame for a pet with presence.
- Golfer: for the dog who rode along to every round. A smile can help as much as a tear.
Think about where the blanket will live. A color that already sits in that room will look like part of the home rather than a shrine, which matters to many people who worry about their house feeling sad.
What wording works on a pet memorial blanket?
Short wording works best: a few words that sound like you. The name does most of the work, so any line should feel like something you would say to your pet out loud.
- "Always by my side"
- "Our good boy" or "Our sweet girl"
- "Forever in our hearts"
- "Home is wherever you are"
- "Best friend, 2011 to 2025"
- "Loved every day"
- A phrase from your house, such as their bedtime call or a pet name only your family used
Other small details can say as much as words. A paw print near the name, the ball they never let go of, or a hint of their favorite spot on the sofa all make the blanket feel like theirs. One or two small touches are plenty.
How do you make sure the design feels right?
The design proof is where you get it right. You see the full portrait, name and details before anything is woven, and you can ask for changes. Revisions are free.
- Look at the eyes first. If the expression feels like them, the rest usually follows.
- Check the markings. A white toe, a grey muzzle or a notched ear matter. Say so if something is missing.
- Read the name and dates slowly. Spelling mistakes are easy to miss when you are tired and sad.
- Take a day if you need it. There is no rush to approve. Show someone who knew the pet.
Grief for a pet can be as heavy as any loss. A PLOS One study published in January 2026 found that 21% of people who had lost a pet called it the most distressing bereavement of their life. Harvard Health summarizes the findings. Taking care over the design is part of honoring that.
One customer wrote: "I couldnt be happier with the blanket I got of my sweet baby I recently lost" (Verified buyer, reviewed on Shop).
If the blanket is a gift, our post on whether a pet portrait blanket is a good sympathy gift can help you decide. If they would rather have something to hold, a pet memorial pillow is a smaller option.
How our custom memorial blanket works
- Our designers create your pet's portrait from your photo and check every detail by hand. Old, dark or blurry photos are usually okay.
- Paw prints or other small elements you want can be added to the design, along with the name.
- A free design proof arrives by email within 24 hours. Revisions are free, and nothing is woven until you approve it.
- Woven, not printed, from 100% cotton yarn in the USA, so there is no printed layer to fade, crack or peel.
- Up to 3 pets. Small $105, Medium $125, Large $165. Delivery takes 8 to 12 days after you approve the proof.
See the custom pet woven blanket.
Questions people ask
What do you put on a pet memorial blanket?
Most people choose the pet's portrait and name, then add one optional detail: dates, a paw print, a favorite toy or a short line. Keep it simple so it feels calm. Soft colors like sage, cream or navy suit a memorial blanket well.
What should a pet memorial blanket say?
Keep it short and personal. The name alone is often enough. If you want words, try Always by my side, Forever in our hearts, Our good boy, or a phrase your family used every day. Check the spelling carefully on the proof.
Should I put dates on a pet memorial blanket?
Only if it feels right. A name alone feels warm and everyday, which suits a blanket you use often. Name and years feel more like a memorial piece. You can see both on the design proof before anything is woven.
Can you add paw prints to a memorial blanket?
Yes. Paw prints or other small elements you want, such as a favorite toy or ball, can be added to the design along with your pet's name. You see them on the free design proof and can ask for changes before weaving.
Is a custom pet portrait blanket a good sympathy gift or too much?
For most people it is a warm gift, not too much. Keep the design calm, with the name and soft colors, and add a short card with one memory. If you are unsure, a smaller woven portrait pillow is a gentler option.