Animals grieve. Dogs, cats, horses, and other companion species show documented behavioral and physiological responses to the loss of bonded companions. Supporting grieving animals is an important welfare responsibility.
Recognizing that companion animals grieve has practical welfare implications. An owner who understands that their dog is experiencing genuine loss responds differently than one who dismisses behavioral changes as random or attention-seeking. Welfare-centered responses include allowing animals to say goodbye to deceased companions where safe to do so, maintaining predictable routines during the owner's own grief, providing additional social contact and reassurance, and consulting a veterinarian if grief-associated behaviors are severe or prolonged. The grief capacity of companion animals is also evidence of their emotional depth — and thus of the importance of all animal welfare considerations. Animals who can grieve are animals for whom relationships and wellbeing genuinely matter.