A Literature Review: Pet Bereavement and Coping Mechanisms

ABSTRACT

The loss of a companion animal results in millions of pet owners grieving annually. To date, little information has been synthesized on the grief response and coping mechanisms of bereaved pet owners. The aim of this review was to examine the relationship between pet loss and owner grief response. Major themes included: factors that influence the grief response, the disenfranchised nature surrounding pet loss, ambiguous pet loss and coping mechanisms used. Across the 48 studies included in this review, bereaved pet owners frequently reported feelings of embarrassment and loneliness following the loss of their pet. Types of coping mechanisms used by bereaved pet owners were identified and included: isolation, social support, continuing bonds, memorialization, religion, and relationships with other animals. Overall, this review was able to identify a consensus among the literature that bereaved pet owners are likely to experience disenfranchisement surrounding their loss. Based on the present findings, suggestions for future research include a focus on the effectiveness of coping mechanisms used by bereaved pet owners.

KEYWORDS:

• Pet loss
• pet grief
• coping mechanisms
• ambiguous pet loss
• disenfranchised grief

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Peggy Gross, Research Librarian and Director of the William Rand Kenan, Jr. Library of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University, for her contributions to this work.

Notes

1. A meadow in the afterlife where animals are restored to full health, able to run and play, until their owner dies and meets them at the bridge where they cross into heaven together

2. A Jewish mourning ritual for 7 days following a family member’s death