Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Companion Animal Grief Welfare

Dogs can experience grief following the loss of bonded companions including other dogs, cats and their human owners.

Key Facts

Dogs show behavioural changes after loss of companions including reduced appetite and activity
Searching behaviour and changes in sleep patterns are common grief responses in dogs
Individual variation in grief response is considerable and some dogs show minimal response
Maintaining routine provides structure and security for grieving dogs
Introducing a new companion too soon may increase rather than reduce stress in grieving dogs

Welfare Considerations

Grief responses in dogs reflect genuine social bond formation. Supporting grieving dogs through routine maintenance, extra attention and gradual normalisation of their environment reduces welfare impact. Allowing time for natural grief processing is more welfare-positive than forced distraction.

What You Can Do

Maintain consistent daily routines for dogs following the loss of a companion
Provide extra attention and engagement during the grief adjustment period
Allow adequate time before making decisions about introducing new companions to grieving dogs