Overview
- A representative March 2024 survey of 975 UK adults found that 32.6% had experienced the death of a beloved pet, and most had also experienced a human loss.
- Among respondents who had lost both, about 21% reported the pet’s death as more painful than the human bereavement.
- Roughly 7.5% showed grief intensity consistent with prolonged grief disorder, at rates comparable to losses of close relatives such as grandparents or close friends.
- Experts attribute intense mourning to strong emotional bonds, pets’ status as family members, and the sudden loss of daily routines and social contact tied to pet care.
- Current diagnostic standards recognize prolonged grief disorder for human bereavement only, and the study’s lead author urges reconsideration while noting limited evidence beyond the UK, including Germany.