Animals form strong bonds and experience grief when companions die, requiring owner awareness and management support during bereavement periods.
The grief experienced by companion animals after losing a bonded partner is a genuine welfare concern that many owners underestimate. Animals that have lived with companions for years form attachments that, when severed by death, can produce lasting behavioral changes. While the internal experience of animal grief cannot be directly assessed, the behavioral evidence is consistent with loss-related distress. Owners who recognize and respond to companion animal grief — through additional attention, routine stability, and patience — significantly improve welfare outcomes during the bereavement period.