How soon is too soon to suggest getting a new dog?

Let your parents take the lead. Just sympathize with and listen to them. They know how to find a new puppy when they are emotionally ready, I hope they do something to memorialize the dog. Plant a tree or a bush, etc.

No one can predict how someone else will feel. And your mom and dad are two separate individuals.

I think you need to see how they feel. I once lost a puppy to chorea, and got a new dog the same day. I just couldn’t tolerate the emptiness. But when my last dog, Lucy, died, it was a year before I could stand the idea of replacing her.

Too soon. They will need time to grieve for the passing of the pet.

And, as hard as it is to believe, as much as they love your dog, and even though your dad may have mentioned wanting a puppy in the past, they may also be looking forward to a pet-free existence for awhile.

I think they should take some time to grieve. After all, their dog is part of their family and even if they get another puppy later, they will never forget this dog. I’m sure your parents will know when they are ready to move on. Just give them your support and let them make the move when they are ready.

Giving a pet as a gift is a really bad idea.

For me, it was about four months before I could tolerate the thought of another pet. Once I had gotten over that ‘crying everytime I thought of her’ stage, I started looking for what I wanted. I totally agree with @PandoraBoxx that giving a pet is a terrible idea. While you may want your parents to have another pet, you may pick something that would not be appropriate for them. Let them decide, and if, after a few months, they have not either decided yea or nay for another animal, maybe prod them with a suggestion, but nothing more.

I would wait at least a year before suggesting a new pet, then they will have had time to grieve, and they might suggest it before you

I should add to @VS comments, that if you are no longer living with your parents, it’s not in your place to prod for pet acquisition in your parent’s household. The decision to get a pet belongs to the person to whom pet care responsibility falls.

I appreciate all the input. I’m not looking to give them a pet because that WOULD be inconsiderate. But my parents are my best friends and I want to be as considerate of their feelings as possible.

Overlap, I mean what better way than to let the old dog meet it’s replacement.

I’ve noticed some people can move on quite easily, by getting another pet…no one in my family is like that though. Once our family dog passed away, it was years before I got a dog…and my parents never did, but they pretty much adopted my dog, and he’s their baby.
You know your parents best. But, I do think you should wait to suggest something like this.

I agree with what other people have said, take the lead from your parents.

Personally I feel empty without a dog and so I have never left it too long before getting another one. I don’t see it as replacing because every dog is different and brings something different than the last dog and any future dogs to my life. However, my Aunt’s dog, Tanda, died about 7 years ago and she still hasn’t been able to get another dog even though she loves dogs.

Maybe you could drop it into conversation or simply ask them if they would consider getting a new dog in due course.

You could respectfully suggest they ask the vet if she/he knows of a pet that needs a home. I was glad to have no pets for several years after we lost ours. It was over 10 years before I got another one.

How about a ferret?