Grieving is normal after the loss of a pet, reports the Harvard Mental Health Letter
Little research has been done about grief after the loss of a pet. The few studies that do exist suggest that the grieving process can go on for weeks or months. One study of people who had lost pets found that one-third of them experienced grief and sadness for at least six months. Elderly people, who may be lonely after surviving the loss of spouses, family, and friends, are particularly likely to become extremely attached to a pet and may experience more pronounced grief when it dies.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
