When companion animals lose bonded companions - whether human or animal - they can experience grief responses that require recognition and appropriate welfare support.
Animal grief is a welfare issue that deserves both scientific and practical attention. The evidence for grief-like responses in cognitively complex species including dogs, cats, horses, and parrots is convincing, even if the subjective experience cannot be confirmed. Providing bereaved animals with continuity of routine, extra social contact, and time to adjust - rather than immediate replacement of companions - is the most welfare-positive response.