Khaberni - A recent scientific study revealed that the loss of a pet could be, for a noticeable percentage of people, more painful than the loss of a close person, challenging the traditional social view of grief associated with animal deaths.
According to the study, published in the journal PLOS One and led by psychologist Philip Hyland from Maynooth University in Ireland, about 21% of participants who had experienced both the loss of a human and a pet reported that their grief for their pet was more severe.
This type of grief is often considered "socially unrecognized grief," meaning it does not receive the same understanding or support typically provided when a family member is lost. However, the study’s findings suggest that this minimization might overlook genuine and profound psychological suffering.
The study, which included 975 adults in the United Kingdom, showed that the relationship between humans and their pets is often a close emotional bond. This result aligns with a survey conducted by the British RSPCA animal welfare society in 2025, revealing that 99% of pet owners consider them part of the family and "not just animals."
The researchers found that about 7.5% of people who lost their pets met the clinical criteria for what is known as "prolonged grief disorder," a proportion close to that recorded after the death of a close human.
Prolonged grief disorder is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as severe and persistent grief that impairs a person’s ability to function in daily life, continuing for more than 12 months after the loss. Although this diagnosis is currently only applied to human deaths, the study found no significant differences in symptoms between those who lost a human and those who lost a pet.
The results showed that pet loss accounted for 8.1% of all cases of prolonged grief disorder observed in the study, a percentage higher than that associated with the loss of a close friend or some family members.
The data also showed that people who lost a pet were 27% more likely to suffer from symptoms of prolonged grief compared to those who had not undergone this experience, a percentage that falls between losing a parent and losing a sibling.
The researchers believe that the most important factor in the severity of grief is not who was lost, but the depth of the relationship and its emotional meaning. They also indicate that a lack of social support is one of the major risk factors, as many people feel embarrassed or ashamed to express their grief for a pet, which can lead to isolation and exacerbate psychological suffering.
Need for recognition and support
The study highlights that ignoring this type of grief could deprive those affected from receiving the psychological support or professional accommodations they need during the mourning period. Additionally, some cases of pet loss involve the decision for euthanasia, which might provide some with a sense of relief, but it could be a traumatic experience for others.
The researchers emphasize that societal and psychological recognition of the importance of this type of loss, along with providing specialized support, could alleviate suffering and reduce the risk of developing long-term psychological disorders.
