Understanding how companion animals experience the loss of bonded companions, the behavioral and physiological signs of animal grief, and evidence-based approaches to supporting bereaved pets.
Animal grief is a genuine welfare concern that is often underacknowledged by owners who interpret behavioral changes as illness rather than bereavement. Dogs and cats who have lost bonded companions experience a period of genuine psychological adjustment that affects their quality of life for weeks to months. Welfare-positive responses to companion animal grief involve recognizing the behavioral changes as natural grief responses rather than problems requiring correction, providing increased but not overwhelming human social interaction, maintaining routine to provide predictability, and allowing the grieving animal to lead the pace of recovery. The decision about whether and when to introduce a new companion should be made based on the surviving animal's behavioral readiness, not the owner's timeline.