Animals grieve the loss of companions — whether other animals or humans. Understanding grief in companion animals helps owners provide appropriate support and recognize when intervention is needed.
Animal grief is real in the sense that the loss of a companion produces measurable behavioral and physiological changes that indicate genuine emotional disruption. Whether the subjective experience is comparable to human grief is unknown — but the welfare relevance is clear regardless: an animal in a grief state is experiencing something negative, and providing appropriate support can reduce the duration and severity of that state. The most helpful responses include maintaining routine, providing extra attention and stimulation, and considering whether a new companion is appropriate — without rushing the decision or assuming another animal will automatically help.