Dogs, cats and other companion animals show behavioral responses consistent with grief following the loss of a bonded companion, requiring sensitive management from owners.
The grief-like responses of animals to the loss of bonded companions provide powerful evidence of their social and emotional complexity. A dog that stops eating, searches the house, and lies where its companion used to lie is not simply behaving oddly — it is expressing something that parallels what humans experience as grief. Managing bereaved animals requires patience, maintaining routine, providing additional social interaction and allowing the grieving process to unfold naturally. Introducing a new companion too quickly can add stress rather than comfort. Understanding animal grief also informs how we manage multiple-animal households when one animal is ill or dying.