How Animals Grieve: Supporting Your Whole Family Through Pet Loss

Do your pets understand when a companion is dying? How do they grieve? And what can you do to support them through loss and adjustment?

In this tender and insightful conversation, Karen Wylie and Gail Pope explore the often-overlooked reality of how animals experience grief—from anticipatory grief before death, through the dying process, and into the weeks and months that follow.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How pets sense when a companion's time is coming and act as "animal doulas"
• The beautiful ways animals honor dying companions—sitting vigil, offering comfort, and staying close
• Why some animals step back as death approaches while others stay until the final breath
• What happens when pets encounter the body of a deceased companion
• The profound difference between expected deaths (gradual decline) and sudden, unexpected losses
• How creating an "honoring space" helps surviving pets process what has happened
• Signs of grief in cats and dogs—and why maintaining routine matters
• The phenomenon of continuing bonds: how pets sense the energy of departed companions
• Real stories from BrightHaven's decades of hospice care experience
• Why bringing your pet's body home (even briefly) can provide closure for other family members

🐾Whether you're currently caring for an aging or ill pet, or want to be prepared for the future, this episode offers compassionate, practical wisdom for supporting your entire animal family through loss. You're not alone in your journey.💜

📌 Related Resource:

• Blog Post: Pet Memorial Rituals: The 3-Day Honoring Tradition at Home - https://brightpathforpets.com/blog/pet-memorials-at-home-3-day-honoring/

🌹 Join our monthly Rose Ceremony (free online pet celebration): https://brightpathforpets.com/rose-ceremony/

💬 If this episode touched your heart, you’re not alone. The BrightHaven Caregivers’ Hub is our supportive membership community for pet parents navigating caregiving, anticipatory grief, and all the moments in between.

We gather to share stories, ask questions, and care for each other as we care for our animals. If you’re walking this path, we’d be honored to walk it with you.

🔗 Learn more about the Hub: https://brightpathforpets.com/caregivers-hub/

📌Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review 🐶⭐🐱

Learn More from BrightHaven Caregiver Academy For free resources, upcoming workshops, and a supportive community dedicated to navigating life with your aging or ill pet:

• Visit our website: brightpathforpets.com
• Join us on Youtube: www.youtube.com/@brighthaven_animals

Connect with Us on Social:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/brightpathforpets
• Instagram: @brightpathforpets

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes and not a substitute for professional advice. We are not veterinarians. While we do not provide medical diagnoses or treatments, we are experienced holistic caregivers. Our support focuses on helping you assess the situation, understand your options, and find clarity and calm in the middle of distress.