How Do Pets Grieve? Understanding Pet Grief After Losing a Companion

When a pet passes away, the loss affects everyone in the household. Dogs, cats, and other pets can form close bonds over the years. Even when animals don’t seem particularly close, the relationship likely provides comfort and stability. When one pet dies, the surviving pet may react with confusion, sadness, or behavior changes.

Many pet owners wonder whether animals actually grieve. While we can’t ask them how they feel, research and observations suggest that pets do go through a grieving process after losing a companion. Their routines, sense of safety, and social structure are disrupted, and they need time to adjust.

Our Lap of Love providers see firsthand how loss can affect a pet. Here’s what pet grief can look like, how you can support a grieving pet, and when to ask your veterinarian for help.

Key takeaways

* Pets can experience grief after the loss of a companion, which may appear as changes in their appetite, behavior, or routines.

* Dogs and cats may react to loss differently, and not all pets show visible signs of mourning.

* Time, consistent routines, positive attention, and fun activities can help pets get back to their usual selves.

* Prolonged behavioral changes or physical symptoms may indicate the need for veterinary intervention.

* Adding a new pet should be a thoughtful decision made only after the surviving pet has had time to adjust.

Do pets actually grieve?

Evidence suggests that dogs and cats react to loss in meaningful ways. Some appear to mourn the loss, while others show subtle changes in appetite or sleep patterns. These behaviors may stem from sadness, stress, or confusion.

Documented pet grief-related behaviors include vocalizing more or less than usual, becoming more clingy or more distant, and sleeping in the deceased pet’s favorite spot. Some pets pace, search, or wait near the door, suggesting they expect their companion to return.

However, not all pets grieve in an obvious way. Some seem unaffected or adjust quickly, while others have a delayed reaction days or weeks later. It’s reasonable to assume that just like people, pets respond to loss in different ways.

Signs your pet is grieving

Pets can’t tell us how they feel, but their behavior often changes after losing a companion. Here are some possible signs that your pet may be grieving:

* Changes in appetite – Grieving pets may eat less, eat more slowly, or skip meals altogether. Some may show no interest in food, while others want to eat more.

* Changes in sleep patterns – Your pet may sleep more than usual or become restless at night. Some pets have trouble settling in familiar spots.

* Changes in vocalization – Dogs may whine, bark, or howl. Cats may meow more than usual. Or, a normally talkative pet may suddenly go quiet.

* Changes in energy level – Pets who lose a companion may lose interest in toys, walks, or play. Some seem bored or sluggish, while others may act restless or anxious.

* Searching behaviors – Grieving pets may look for their missing companion by sniffing favorite spots, pacing around the home, or lingering near doors or windows.

* Clinginess or withdrawal – A grieving pet may seek more comfort from people or isolate, hide, or become less responsive to affection.

Signs of pet grief can begin within a few days of the loss and may last for a few weeks. However, there is no exact timeline, and each pet responds to loss differently.

How to support a grieving pet

Pet grief looks different for individual animals, but support from their trusted humans can help them cope. Here are practical ways to help a surviving dog or cat feel better after the loss of a companion:

* Keep a consistent routine – Pets feel safest and experience less stress when their daily routines are predictable. Keep feeding times, walks, play sessions, and bedtime consistent.

* Offer comfort — Some pets crave extra attention after a loss, while others need space. Pay attention to your pet’s body language and be available to spend quality time with them—but don’t force it.

* Encourage exercise – Activity is good for the body and soul. Get outside for a walk, play with toys, or attend a training session to help pets reset and reduce anxiety. 

* Try activities or toys – A new toy, puzzle feeder, or game can offer a healthy distraction, giving your pet something else to focus on and helping them find joy in their daily routine.

* Play music or white noise – If your home suddenly feels quieter, music, a fan, background TV, or a white noise machine may help pets feel less alone. 

When to talk to your vet

Some pets struggle more than others. If your pet’s distress seems extreme or goes on for a long time, consider a visit to the vet to rule out a medical issue. Complete loss of appetite, particularly in cats, can endanger a pet’s health over time. Similarly, stress-induced urinary or upper respiratory issues can occur in cats who don’t cope well with change.

While dogs are less susceptible to stress-induced health problems than cats, they can still experience mental or emotional distress. A veterinarian can evaluate your pet’s health and help determine whether further support is needed. In some cases, a short course of anti-anxiety medication or a referral to a veterinary behaviorist may be appropriate. 

You know your pet best. If something doesn’t seem right, what you’re doing at home isn't enough, or you are too bereft to help your pet, trust your instincts and reach out to your veterinary team.

Should you get another pet?

It’s natural to think about filling the newly empty and quiet space in your home after a pet passes away. Some pet owners wonder if getting a new companion might help their surviving pet—or their human family members—adjust to the loss.

However, adding a new pet too soon can sometimes have the opposite effect. Grieving pets, or at least those pets who appear to be grieving, are usually under some degree of stress. Adding a new animal to their space can worsen stress and set the stage for a strained future relationship.

A new pet won’t replace your previous companion or heal grief any faster. You should wait to add a new pet until everyone in the home appears well-adjusted, has returned to normal habits, routines, and behaviors, and looks forward to forming a new, unique relationship with a new pet.

Helping your pet heal after loss

Losing a companion animal affects everyone in the household, including pet owners, children, and the remaining family pets. Although we can’t know for sure what dogs or cats feel during this time, their behavior suggests that many of them do, in fact, miss their old friend.

While pet grief looks different for every animal, many pets benefit from human support, a consistent routine, and the universal healer of all ills: time. Your patience and simple presence can help your pets feel better, and the same goes for them being present for you. 

If you or your pets are struggling with grief after a pet loss, schedule a support call or group support session with our compassionate Lap of Love grief coaches who can recommend strategies and resources to help.