Dogs, cats, and other companion animals show behavioural and physiological responses to the loss of bonded companions. Understanding animal grief enables carers to provide appropriate support during difficult transitions.
Animal grief is a welfare concern that is frequently overlooked because owners focus on their own grief after a pet death, or because the surviving animal's behavioural changes are misattributed to illness. Providing appropriate support for grieving animals includes maintaining routine and predictability, increased positive interaction with human carers, appropriate veterinary assessment to rule out illness, and patience with the timeline of adaptation. Rushing to introduce replacement companions can worsen welfare by adding the stress of a novel social interaction to existing grief. For animals showing prolonged signs of grief, veterinary behavioural consultation may be appropriate, particularly if appetite loss is causing weight loss or the animal is showing signs of clinical depression.