People have often wondered if animals grieve. Animals are thinking, feeling, sentient beings.

They have an emotional body just like we do.

They have a different perspective on death than we do - and they still grieve.

Pets know when something isn’t right with their owners. Just like they can also tell when something isn’t right with a pack/herd/flock mate.

In my experience, pets can become more “mopey” or “lethargic” if they are not able to say goodbye to their companions. If a pet has passed in the home, allow the other pets to say goodbye. Allowing them to say goodbye will give them closure in their own way. In a herd of horses, a group will gather to say their last goodbyes to a fallen member. Just like us, some animals handle the passing of a companion better than others.

What’s important to understand is this, you cannot make a companion animal get over their grief any more than you can make a human get over it. Grief isn’t something you get over. It is a process, it is something that you live with and it doesn’t have a time line.

If you have a pet who is grieving, remember to honor their process by letting them know that you understand (they understand you more than you think) and don’t force them into anything. If they don’t want to play ball or play with their toys, that’s ok, this is part of their process. Sometimes just being with you on the couch is enough. When your pet is ready, they will begin to play and do the silly things they did before.

If you have recently suffered a loss of a beloved animal companion and you would like help with either your other pets or your grief process, contact us today.