Dogs, cats, and other companion animals show behavioral responses consistent with grief following the loss of bonded companions, requiring thoughtful management from owners.
Animal grief deserves serious welfare consideration. The behavioral evidence for grief-like states in companion animals is substantial, though the subjective experience remains uncertain. Dogs and cats experiencing behavioral changes after companion loss show indicators of negative emotional state — reduced positive engagement, altered sleep, food refusal — that constitute welfare-relevant suffering regardless of the underlying cognitive content. Owners often underestimate these responses or attribute them to other causes. Active welfare management of grieving animals includes maintaining routine, providing additional social contact and enrichment, monitoring food intake, and consulting veterinarians if behavioral changes are severe or prolonged. The decision about when and whether to introduce a new companion animal is complex and should be guided by the individual animal rather than owner timeline. Some animals benefit from new companions; others show no interest or active rejection.