Honoring a pet’s grief

Honoring a pet’s grief


While we sometimes erroneously attribute human emotions to pets, we can see that pets grieve when they lose their special person.

They miss their companion’s company, shared routines and likely much more. They might get clingy, sleep more and eat less. Some frequent their buddy’s favorite spot. And cats, in particular, may vocalize more frequently and loudly.

As with people, there’s no timetable for a pet’s grief. But there are ways we can help — like sticking to their routine, offering extra attention and being patient if they revert to, or develop, troublesome behaviors.

It’s important to reach out for veterinary help with concerns. That’s especially true if cats stop eating, because they can quickly develop life-threatening medical issues.

Animals have a profound ability to adapt. We can be there for them as they do.

 

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