What Pet Loss Reveals About Attachment

"For some people, losing a pet, as highlighted by a recent study (Hyland, 2026), can be as distressing, or even more distressing, than losing a human loved one. The study found that 7.5 percent of individuals grieving a pet met criteria for prolonged grief disorder (PGD). Similar rates are observed following the death of emotionally significant people, such as parents or children."

"A characteristic of this study is its emphasis on the clinical relevance of grief following the death of a pet. As discussed by Hyland, studies on this topic can inform mental health professionals, helping them to approach experiences of pet loss with accurate information. As a mental health professional myself, I can see the practical relevance of these findings. They are a reminder that attachment and the consequences of losing an attachment figure do not only apply to human relationships."

"When some people lose a pet, the emotional responses may be so intense precisely because the animal carried deep emotional and relational importance in their lives. The findings, thus, may prompt reflection on a valuable question: What could we understand differently if we explored pet attachment long before the loss occurs? A study among health care providers is one of the few exploring the impact of asking people about their pets."

7.5 percent of individuals grieving a pet met criteria for prolonged grief disorder (PGD), comparable to rates after losing emotionally significant people such as parents or children. Attachment and the consequences of losing an attachment figure apply to pets as well as humans. The emotional intensity of pet loss often reflects the animal's deep emotional and relational importance. Asking about pets in clinical settings improves communication, enhances understanding of the bond, strengthens therapeutic alliance, and can soothe patients in primary care. More research could guide routine assessment and earlier exploration of pet attachment.

Read at Psychology Today