The loss of a pet is a genuine bereavement that can cause significant psychological distress, and supporting pet owners through grief is an important part of companion animal welfare.
While not directly about animal welfare, supporting human bereavement following pet loss is connected to the human-animal bond and the long-term welfare relationship. Owners who receive adequate support are better positioned to make future welfare decisions for animals and to adopt new animals with appropriate emotional readiness. Veterinary practices that invest in bereavement support also demonstrate values of care that extend to their approach to patient welfare. Normalising pet grief, offering appropriate services, and reducing stigma are meaningful contributions to a culture that takes both animal and human wellbeing seriously.