Do Pets Grieve the Loss of Another Pet?

When one pet dies, the others left behind often seem different — quieter, clingier, off their food, or searching the house. If you're watching a surviving dog or cat behave this way, you may be wondering whether they understand, and what you can do. This guide looks honestly at what we know about animal grief, the changes you might see, and gentle ways to help.

You're grieving too, and caring for a confused pet on top of that is a lot. Be kind to yourself as well as to them.

Do animals really grieve?

We can't ask animals how they feel, so it's important to be honest: we can't know exactly what a dog or cat experiences. But owners and welfare organisations widely report clear behaviour changes in pets after a companion dies, and animal-charity guidance recognises that surviving pets often react to the loss.

Whether or not it's grief in the human sense, the practical point is the same: many animals notice the absence and their behaviour shifts, sometimes for days or weeks. Treating those changes as real, and responding with patience, is the kind thing to do.

Changes you might notice

Not every pet reacts, and reactions vary a great deal. Some of the more commonly reported changes include:

• Searching the house and garden, or waiting by doors, beds or feeding spots the other pet used.
• Vocalising more — whining, howling, or a cat calling around the home.
• Becoming clingy and following you from room to room, or seeming withdrawn and flat.
• Eating less or showing less interest in food and treats.
• Sleeping more, or sleeping restlessly, and being less playful or active.
• Changes in routine behaviour — toileting differently, or wanting more or less attention than usual.

These often settle over time as the pet adjusts to the new normal.

How to help your pet

The most helpful thing is usually steadiness. Keep walks, meals and bedtime at the usual times. Familiar routine is reassuring when the household has changed.

Give gentle extra attention — more company, calm fuss, a shared activity they enjoy. With dogs, a bit of easy training or a favourite game can lift the mood and rebuild confidence. With cats, low-key play and predictable quiet time often help.

Try not to over-comfort anxious behaviour in a way that accidentally rewards it. You can absolutely reassure your pet; just aim to also encourage and praise calm, normal moments, so they relearn that ordinary life carries on.

Keep an eye on appetite. A short dip can be normal, but if your pet won't eat for more than a day or so, seems genuinely unwell, or the changes are severe or long-lasting, contact your vet. Some signs of grief can overlap with illness, and a check-up rules out anything physical.

Should you let them see the body?

This is a common and very personal question, and the honest answer is that the evidence is mixed.

Some owners and behaviourists feel that letting a surviving pet sniff and investigate the body of their companion may help them understand the other animal has died, and that it can reduce searching. Others see no clear benefit, and not every situation makes it possible — for example, if a pet died at the vet or was very unwell.

There's no firm proof that it helps or harms, so it's reasonable to do what feels right for your circumstances. If you have the option and feel comfortable, allowing a calm, brief moment to sniff is unlikely to do harm. If it isn't possible, please don't worry that you've failed your other pet — many animals adjust well without it.

Introducing a new companion

It's natural to wonder whether getting another pet will help the survivor. There's no guarantee it will — and a grieving, unsettled pet may not be ready to welcome a newcomer straight away. It's usually best to let your surviving pet settle first, and to make any decision based on their temperament and your household, rather than rushing to fill the gap.

You don't have to cope alone

Supporting a grieving pet while grieving yourself is hard. Free, confidential support is there for you.

• Blue Cross Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS) — call 0800 096 6606 (8:30am–8:30pm, every day) or email pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk.
• Cats Protection — Paws to Listen — free grief support line on 0800 024 94 94 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm).
• The Ralph Site — pet-loss support and forums at theralphsite.com.

If your own grief feels overwhelming, please speak to your GP or call the Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7).

Sources

• Blue Cross — Pet bereavement and pet loss
• Cats Protection — Paws to Listen grief support
• The Ralph Site — pet loss support