Pet bereavement affects millions of people annually, with welfare implications for both grieving owners and surviving companion animals who are affected by household changes after loss.
Pet bereavement welfare extends beyond the welfare of the deceased animal to encompass both the grieving owner and surviving companion animals. The welfare of bereaved pet owners is significant: the human-animal bond in companion animals creates attachment of genuine depth, and grief responses following pet loss can be as intense as those following human bereavement. Yet pet loss grief is frequently 'disenfranchised' - not recognised by colleagues, friends, or social structures as legitimate, leading to isolation and unsupported grief. Veterinary practices are increasingly recognising their role in supporting owners through end-of-life decisions and bereavement, with many providing follow-up calls, cards, and referrals to specialist support. Surviving companion animals in multi-pet households experience their own welfare adjustment: bonded pairs of dogs or cats show measurable changes in behaviour, activity, and appetite following the loss of a companion, and may benefit from additional human attention and gradual introduction of routine changes rather than abrupt environmental shifts. The welfare of surviving animals and grieving owners are interconnected - owners in acute grief may be less capable of providing consistent, attentive care to surviving pets, creating a period of potential welfare compromise for both.