Companion Animal Grief Support Resources

Pet loss grief is recognised as a significant psychological experience, and appropriate support resources can help owners process bereavement while maintaining care for surviving animals.

Key Facts

Pet loss grief can be as intense as grief for human family members in strongly bonded owners
Disenfranchised grief — grief not socially recognised — is common after pet loss
Pet loss support lines and online communities provide accessible help for bereaved owners
Veterinary practices that acknowledge and support owner grief improve client wellbeing and practice relationships
Children who lose pets benefit from age-appropriate explanations of death and grief support

Welfare Considerations

Pet loss grief has welfare implications both for bereaved owners and for surviving companion animals who may be grieving alongside them. Owners experiencing intense grief may not notice early signs of grief-related health changes in surviving pets, may make poorly informed decisions about replacement animals, or may struggle to maintain their own health and functioning. Acknowledging pet loss grief as legitimate and significant — not minimising it as an overreaction — is the foundation of appropriate support. Veterinary practices, friends, and family who respond with empathy enable healthier grieving processes. Awareness of the profound human-animal bond helps create social environments in which pet loss grief is appropriately recognised and supported.

What You Can Do

Seek pet loss support from dedicated helplines, online communities, or grief counsellors if experiencing intense bereavement
Acknowledge and validate pet loss grief in others without minimising its significance
Allow yourself and children appropriate time to grieve before considering a replacement animal
Monitor surviving companion animals for grief-related health changes and consult your veterinarian if concerned