Caring for a grieving pet while you grieve too is a lot to carry. Steady routines, patience, and gentle comfort help most animals through this change, and you are doing a loving thing by looking out for them.
The companion left behind
Pets who share a home often form close bonds, and when one dies, the survivor usually notices. Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and many other animals can show grief-like changes after losing a companion, from searching and restlessness to eating less and seeming withdrawn. On top of their own confusion, they also sense the sadness in the household.
The good news is that most pets adjust with time, patience, and support. Keeping their world as steady as possible, and watching their health closely, gives them the security they need while everything feels different. Helping them through it can be a gentle comfort to you as well.
Signs a surviving pet is struggling
Searching and restlessness
A surviving pet may look for their companion, wait in shared spots, or seem restless and unsettled as they notice the absence in the home.
Eating and sleeping changes
Reduced appetite, disrupted sleep, or low energy are common. Appetite loss matters most in cats and small pets, who can become ill quickly if they stop eating.
Clinginess or withdrawal
Some pets seek extra closeness and reassurance, while others become quiet or withdrawn. Both are normal ways of responding to a changed household.
How to help them adjust
Hold routines steady
Keep feeding, walks, play, and bedtimes as consistent as you can. Familiar structure is one of the most reassuring things for a pet adjusting to a loss.
Give calm reassurance
Offer gentle attention and company, and try to stay relaxed yourself, since animals pick up on your emotions. Let a withdrawn pet come to you rather than forcing interaction.
Watch eating and health closely
Monitor appetite and behavior. Contact your veterinarian if a cat or small pet stops eating, if any pet seems unwell, or if distress does not ease over a couple of weeks.
Wait before adding a new pet
Do not rush to bring in a new companion. Let your surviving pet settle first, and consider a new animal only later, introduced slowly and at your pet's pace.
Learn more about pet grief
To understand what your surviving pet may be going through, see our guides on whether dogs grieve and whether cats grieve. If you are grieving the pet you lost, our guides for every kind of pet are here for you too.
You can also return to our full pet loss and grief resources for support with your own grief whenever you need it.
This guide offers general information and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.