Dogs show behavioural changes consistent with grief following the loss of human or animal companions, and welfare-centred responses to dog bereavement recognise and address the psychological impact of these losses.
Dog grief is a welfare condition that deserves recognition and response, not dismissal. Dogs that lose companions show measurable changes in physiology and behaviour that persist beyond a few days and affect their quality of life. Welfare-centred responses include increased positive interaction with the grieving dog, maintaining consistent routines that provide predictability during an unsettling period, and patience with behavioural changes rather than immediate attempts to correct them. Where grief responses are severe or prolonged, veterinary behavioural assessment can determine whether additional support including anxiolytic medication is appropriate. The welfare obligation is to recognise that dogs experience social loss and to respond with appropriate care.