Do Pets Grieve?

In the days after losing a pet, many families notice something unexpected. The surviving dog won’t finish her food. The cat returns again and again to an empty bed, sniffing, waiting.

Something has shifted in the home and your other pets feel it too.

At Sunset, we see this often in the quiet moments after a peaceful in-home goodbye. While families are grieving, their other pets are also adjusting to a loss they don’t fully understand but clearly feel.

It would be easy to explain this as routine disruption, or a response to the emotions in the home. And those things do play a role. But a growing body of research, along with decades of veterinary observation, points to something more: dogs and cats do grieve.

Not in the same way humans do, but in real, behavioral, and sometimes prolonged ways.

Understanding what your surviving pet may be experiencing is one of the most compassionate things you can do after a loss. It allows you to recognize the signs, respond with patience, and help them feel safe again as their world changes.

What the research tells us

For years, pet owners described changes in their animals after a loss but science was cautious about assigning human emotions to animals. That perspective has shifted.

A landmark ASPCA study found that most surviving dogs show behavioral changes after losing a canine companion. Many eat less, sleep more, become more vocal, or seek increased attention. Similar patterns are seen in cats, though their grief is often quieter and more subtle.

There’s also a biological reason behind this. Dogs and cats form real social bonds, influenced by hormones like oxytocin, the same bonding hormone found in humans. When that connection is suddenly gone, the absence doesn’t just disappear. It’s felt.

They don’t need to understand what death is to feel the absence of someone they loved.

Signs your surviving pet may be grieving

Every animal responds differently. Personality, bond strength, and the nature of the loss all play a role.

Dogs often express grief outwardly, while cats may withdraw but both are experiencing a real adjustment.

Dogs

• Reduced appetite or refusing meals

• Searching the home, yard, or familiar paths

• Increased clinginess or separation anxiety

• Low energy and reduced interest in walks or play

• Whining, howling, or unusual vocalizations

• Sleeping near or sniffing the other pet’s belongings

• Restlessness at times their companion was usually present

  
  

Cats

• Hiding or withdrawing more than usual

• Increased or unusual vocalization

• Changes in grooming (overgrooming or neglect)

• Returning repeatedly to familiar resting spots

• Loss of interest in food or activities

• Becoming more needy — or more distant

• Disrupted sleep or nighttime restlessness

  
  

Some of these signs, especially reduced appetite, can also be medical. If your pet is experiencing these symptoms, it’s always a good idea to check in with your veterinarian.

How long do pets grieve?

For most dogs and cats, changes are most noticeable in the first one to two weeks, then gradually improve.

Pets with very strong bonds may take longer.

Days 1–3: Immediate disruption. Searching, vocalizing, reduced appetite. This is often the most intense period.

Days 4–14: Behaviors settle into a pattern. Appetite usually begins to return. Clinginess or low energy may continue but start to soften.

Weeks 2–6: Gradual return toward normal. Energy and interest in play begin to come back.

Beyond 6 weeks: Most pets have adjusted. Some may remain a bit quieter or more attached to their owners, especially after a deep bond.

Should you let your surviving pet say goodbye?

This is one of the most common questions families ask and when possible, the answer is often yes.

Dogs and cats may benefit from being allowed to approach and sniff their companion after they’ve passed. It can provide a form of closure that helps them process the absence, rather than experiencing a sudden disappearance.

In homes where pets are present during an in-home euthanasia, many families notice something meaningful. The surviving pet often enters the room calmly, observes or sniffs briefly, and then settles.

Follow your pet’s lead. Allow access, but don’t force it. A few minutes is usually enough.

If they show no interest, or seem distressed that’s okay too. There is no “right” way for them to respond.

Letting them witness it, in their own way, often helps the absence make more sense.

How to support your surviving pet

Simple, steady support can make a big difference.

• Keep routines consistent: meals, walks, and sleep times create stability

• Offer calm companionship: sit with them, let them come to you

• Leave familiar items in place for a short time: scent can be comforting

• Reintroduce play slowly: short, low-pressure interaction helps rebuild normalcy

• Monitor food and water intake: contact your vet if they stop eating for more than 48 hours

• For dogs, gentle exercise can help: even a slightly longer walk can shift their mood

  
  

Should you get another pet right away?

It’s a natural thought, but it’s best not to rush.

Some pets benefit from a new companion after a few weeks. Others, especially older pets or those who preferred being alone, may find it stressful.

A good guideline: wait until your pet is eating normally, engaging again, and no longer searching for their companion.

A new pet should come from readiness, not from trying to fill a space too quickly.

You are grieving too

Supporting a surviving pet while navigating your own loss isn’t easy.

The truth is, what helps them often helps you too, routine, presence, patience, and quiet moments of connection.

Caring for your pet during this time can be grounding. It gives shape to days that may otherwise feel heavy and uncertain.

Watch them. Let them show you what they need and give yourself that same grace.

If you’re going through this right now, whether you’re unsure if it’s time, or trying to support your other pets after a loss, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

We’re always here to talk things through.