Do Dogs and Cats Grieve?

As pet parents, we will all experience the heartbreak of losing a beloved companion. After such a loss, people often work through personal grief by taking comfort in memories, photos, and physical reminders of the pet that we so dearly loved.

While we understand that death is an inevitable part of life, do pets also make this connection? There is some evidence to suggest that dogs and cats grieve losses.

Do Dogs and Cats Grieve Their Loved Ones?

While it is unlikely that pets fully grasp the concept of a companion being gone forever, there is evidence to suggest that they have some level of understanding of loss.

This is shown through behavioral changes, likely in response to missing the company of their companion and the change in their shared daily routine. In scientific circles, these behaviors are often called grief-like responses since it's impossible to know exactly what an animal is feeling.

You may have witnessed or heard stories about dogs who are closely bonded to their pet parents who have shown behavioral changes consistent with grief and depression after a loss.

Social media is full of photos and videos of dogs waiting patiently by the front door, sitting at the end of the driveway, and even resting near their pet parent’s gravesite. This shows that these animals miss their pet parents or handlers and are grieving their loss. 

And although you don’t see as many media representations, there is still plenty of anecdotal evidence that cats, as well as many other species, seem to grieve.

Signs of Grief in Pets

Several surveys and studies have revealed some common signs of grieving in cats and dogs.

A 2016 study by researchers in New Zealand reported that dogs and cats exhibit signs of stress and grief over the loss of their canine and feline companions. Their behaviors were similar to those of young children who grieved the loss of a family member, including:

A 2024 survey of cat parents examined how cats reacted to the death of a companion animal. Results revealed that the surviving cats experienced decreases in eating, sleeping, and playing.

The survey also found that “the longer the cat had lived with the deceased animal, the more caregivers reported increases in attention-seeking following the death.”

How Long Does Grief Last in Pets?

Just like with humans, there is no finite period for grief, as every animal responds differently to a loss. 

Many experts suggest that grief in dogs and cats will run its course in weeks to months, but studies of other species recognized grief-like behavior in closely bonded wild animal communities that lasted for months.

How To Help Grieving Pets

After the death of a pet, there are several ways you can help other pets during their time of grieving:

• Stick to your daily routine. Maintain a consistent mealtime schedule and continue your daily walks and normal playtime.
• Offer extra attention and affection to help pets recover emotionally from the loss of their friend.
• Try calming aids such as Adaptil and Feliway products.

• Nutritional supplements such as Composure treats or Calming Care probiotics for dogs and cats may also help alleviate your pet’s anxiety.

• Provide new enrichment. Mentally stimulating toys and chews can help dogs, while cats might enjoy new cat trees, interactive toys, or access to a safe outdoor enclosure (a catio).

If your pet begins to show behaviors such as house soiling, destruction of toys or furniture, or excessive vocalizing and whining, do not punish or discipline them. This will only teach them to fear you and may increase their anxiety and make these behaviors worse.

Talk to your vet or ask for a recommendation for a behaviorist in these cases. Pets with more severe behavioral changes may also benefit from antidepressant medications.

The amount of time that a dog or cat grieves will vary individually, but eventually they do recover and will usually fall back into their daily routines at some point.

When To Go to the Vet

If your pet continues to decline physically or emotionally, consult with your veterinary team to be sure there’s no underlying medical condition that’s causing symptoms that you initially thought were related to grief.

Cats in particular should be closely monitored if they stop eating, as anorexia in cats can quickly develop into a life-threatening condition known as hepatic lipidosis. Talk to your veterinarian if your cat has not eaten in a day or two.

Should Pets Be Present When You Are Putting Down Another Pet?

Some experts suggest that allowing pets to witness the euthanasia process or to see and smell their companion after they have passed will allow them to understand the finality of the situation.

Some pets may linger for a while or curl up beside their companion after they have passed, while others may give a brief sniff before walking away or leaving the room. Regardless of the intensity of the response, the remaining pets may have a better understanding that their friend is gone, which could allow for an easier grief and recovery period than if the pet suddenly disappeared from the home. 

Will My Pets Be Upset if I Get Another Pet Soon After a Death?

This will depend on your feelings as well as the temperament and adaptability of your other pets.

Bringing a new pet into the home too soon may cause increased stress and anxiety if your existing pets have not had time to process the absence of the companion who has died. The addition will inevitably disrupt the normal daily routine while the new pet becomes acclimated to their new surroundings.

This increase in stress may result in some temporary undesirable behaviors, including house soiling or destruction of toys, bedding, or other household items.

For dogs, a good compromise may be to schedule playdates with other dogs they’ve already met and like. You could also plan regular trips to a dog park to allow them to interact with other dogs, which might benefit them both physically and emotionally.

Cats may benefit from an increase in cuddling or physical affection from you or extra playtime as a means of distraction from the absence of their companion.