For one in five, losing a pet hurts greater than losing a human loved one. New research has revealed that 21 percent of people that experienced each kinds of bereavement found it difficult to deal with the death of their pet.
The findings challenge how society views pet loss. It is usually dismissed as such “Sad Sorrow” – A sort of bereavement that isn't socially recognized or validated in the identical way as other bereavements.
Yet for many pet owners, their animals are family. A 2025 Survey Animal charity the RSPCA found that 99% consider their pet to be a part of their pet family quite than “just a pet”. On Instagram, #dogsirfamily alone has 3.4 million posts.
Latest study Among 975 British adults, something surprising was revealed. About 7.5% of people that lost a pet met clinical criteria for “prolonged grief disorder.”
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Grief normally involves a spread of emotions, including anger, denial, relief, guilt, and sadness. Prolonged grief disorder, nonetheless, is defined within the Diagnostic Manual of Psychiatrists, DSM-V, Explains These are defined as “severe and persistent grief symptoms that are not only distressing in themselves but are also associated with difficulties in functioning” lasting 12 months or more after the loss.
Currently, only human deaths qualify for this diagnosis. But the study, led by Philip Hyland of the University of Maynooth in Ireland, found no measurable differences in how symptoms of grief disorder manifest, whether the loss involved an individual or a pet.
Pet loss actually accounted for 8.1 percent of all long-term cases of grieving disorder within the study—a better proportion than many kinds of human loss. People who had lost a pet were 27 percent more more likely to develop symptoms of prolonged grief disorder than those that had not.
This figure sits between the rates of losing a parent (31%) and losing a sibling (21%). Rates are higher than losing a detailed friend or other member of the family.
These findings suggest that something necessary could also be missing within the assessment criteria. What matters most isn't who the deceased is, but the standard and meaning of the connection with the deceased.
One of the most important risks of prolonged grief disorder is the shortage of social support after the loss. People with pet grieving often face a difficult period without proper understanding of the people around them, possibly developing the disorder.
Many participants expressed embarrassment and shame in sharing their feelings. This can result in isolation and make it difficult to process the loss.
Lack of recognition and support
By excluding the lack of a pet from the diagnostic criteria, some people may struggle to access support or workplace adjustments during this difficult time. Lack of recognition can exacerbate an already traumatic experience.
Pet deaths also include unique challenges. Owners could be involved in decisions about their pet's well-being – something that does not occur with human harm.
For some, this brings relief, a way that they've finally supported their pet. For others, it's painful — especially in the event that they've felt omitted or upset by the doctor's decision too soon. Traumatic situations are one other risk factor for chronic grief disorder.
Although the study suggests that the DSM-V diagnostic criteria may should be updated, assistance is now available for those grieving pets. The RSPCA offers a Pet Suffering Toolkit To help people navigate their loss.
Specialist counselors also work with pet bereavement. Seeking support from professionals who understand the importance of the bond between people and their pets will help reduce the danger of prolonged grief disorder, offering the understanding and compassion needed during this traumatic time.