Animals experience grief when they lose companions. Understanding grief responses in pets helps owners provide appropriate support during bereavement periods.
Animal grief is a real welfare concern that deserves the same compassionate response as any other cause of suffering. A dog or cat who has lost a long-term companion experiences genuine distress. Owner responses that dismiss this as "just an animal" miss an opportunity to provide meaningful support. The welfare approach treats the bereaved animal as an individual experiencing loss, adjusts their routine, provides additional positive interaction, and monitors for prolonged grief that may warrant veterinary behavioral consultation.