Animals grieve the loss of bonded companions — human and animal — and the welfare implications of bereavement in companion animals are real, even if less visible than physical illness.
Animal grief is increasingly recognised as a genuine welfare state, not anthropomorphic projection. The behavioural and physiological evidence for grief-like responses across multiple species demonstrates that social bonds, when severed by death, create real welfare impacts in surviving animals. Companion animals who lose bonded partners — human or animal — experience a welfare state that requires recognition and management. The failure to acknowledge companion animal grief leads owners to misattribute signs of grief (reduced appetite, lethargy, searching) as physical illness, delay seeking support, or introduce replacements before the surviving animal is ready. Supporting bereaved animals requires patience, routine, and sometimes professional guidance.