For many people, a dog is not simply a pet.
They are a constant presence, a companion through ordinary days and difficult ones, a source of routine, comfort and unconditional affection. When that presence disappears, the silence left behind can feel overwhelming.
Yet for years, grief after the death of an animal has been quietly minimised. Often dismissed as something that should be short lived or easily overcome. A growing body of research now suggests that this assumption is deeply flawed.
When a Dog Is Family
Dogs share our homes, our habits and our emotional lives. They witness moments that no one else sees. Early mornings. Late nights. Illness. Loneliness. Joy.
Unlike many human relationships, the bond with a dog is uncomplicated. There is no judgement, no expectation, no explanation required. That simplicity is precisely what makes the loss so destabilising.
When a dog dies, people often grieve not just the animal, but the routine and identity that came with caring for them. Walks that no longer happen. Food bowls that remain untouched. The quiet absence at the door.
New Research on Pet Bereavement
A recent study published in PLOS One examined grief responses following the death of a pet and reached a striking conclusion. For some people, the emotional impact mirrors the loss of a close family member.
The research surveyed nearly 1,000 adults in the United Kingdom. Almost one in three had experienced the death of a pet. Among those who had lost both a person and an animal, more than one in five said the death of their pet was the most distressing loss they had ever endured.
Most notably, around 7.5 per cent of people grieving a pet met the clinical criteria for prolonged grief disorder. A recognised psychiatric condition involving persistent longing, emotional pain, difficulty accepting the loss and impaired daily functioning lasting many months or longer.
Despite this, current diagnostic manuals do not formally recognise the death of an animal as a trigger for prolonged grief disorder.
Public Voices and Private Pain
High profile figures have spoken openly about the devastation of losing a dog.
Lewis Hamilton described the decision to put his bulldog Roscoe to sleep as the hardest decision of his life. Monty Don has spoken with quiet honesty about the grief of losing his golden retrievers, reflecting not on sadness but on gratitude for the love they brought.
These stories resonate because they reflect a truth many people already know but rarely feel permitted to say out loud. Losing a dog can be traumatic.
Why Pet Grief Is Often Disenfranchised
One of the most difficult aspects of pet bereavement is that it is frequently unsupported.
There is no formal leave from work.
Friends may offer sympathy but expect recovery to be quick.
Society often signals that grief for an animal should be lesser or more manageable.
Psychologists describe this as disenfranchised grief. A loss that is real and painful, but not socially validated. That lack of recognition can deepen the suffering and make people question their own emotional responses.
The Unique Nature of the Bond
Dogs offer a form of attachment that is constant and emotionally safe. For people living alone, coping with illness, disability or mental health challenges, a dog may be their primary source of companionship.
The grief that follows is therefore not excessive. It is proportionate to the role the animal played in that person’s life.
As one researcher involved in the study observed, intense grief can manifest in the same way whether you have lost a human or an animal. The mind and nervous system do not categorise loss in the way diagnostic manuals do.
Grief Deserves Recognition, Whatever the Source
At Hutcheon Law, much of our work involves supporting families through bereavement following sudden or traumatic loss. While the legal context is different, the emotional truth is the same.
Grief is not measured by species.
It is measured by love, attachment and absence.
Understanding this helps challenge outdated assumptions and encourages a more compassionate response to those struggling after the death of a dog.
For those navigating bereavement following the loss of a loved one, we also provide guidance on the bereavement award scheme in the Fatal Accidents Act 1976, which recognises the emotional impact of loss within the legal system.
A Final Reflection on Bereavement
Perhaps the most important insight from this research is not clinical at all. It is human.
Grief after losing a dog is not something to minimise, rush or rationalise away. It deserves space, understanding and kindness.
For many people, saying goodbye to a dog means saying goodbye to a chapter of life. A routine. A source of unconditional love.
And that kind of loss is never trivial.
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