Understanding the Neurological Impact of Pet Bereavement

This week at The Pets Larder, we are bringing mental health to the foreground. In support of Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re launching a Wellness Bundle alongside a heartfelt social media giveaway — a chance to win a hamper full of calming aids, and nourishing treats. But behind this campaign is something deeply personal to me, which came about by a chance post from a 2022 study published by The Human-Animal Bond Research Institute on the neurological effects of losing a beloved dog, on further contemplation of the post, it opened old feelings — feelings I know many of our customers and community members have experienced. These studies show what we’ve long known in our hearts: that losing a dog can have the same psychological and neurological impact as losing a close family member. And sometimes, the grief is made more complex by the fact that society doesn’t always acknowledge it with the same seriousness.

I want to take this opportunity to share my story.

Saying Goodbye to Grace

In December 2020, I made the heartbreaking and difficult decision to say goodbye to my beautiful Bearded Collie, Grace. She had been part of my life since 2016, when I inherited her and her sister Flora, an Airedale, following the passing of my aunt and uncle. Taking them on was one of the most profound acts of love I’ve experienced — two senior girls who carried the spirit of my family with them.

From the moment they entered my home, Grace and Flora weren’t just dogs. They were part of the family. They were my companions, my connection to those I had lost, and part of the daily rhythm of my life. Grace was gentle, intuitive, and fiercely loyal. She had the kind of presence that filled a room, even in her quietest moments.

When her health began to fail, I was faced with that impossible decision that all loving dog guardians dread. And even though I knew it was the kindest choice, it left me utterly broken. In the days, weeks, and months that followed, I found myself struggling — unable to articulate the depth of my grief or why it felt so consuming. After all, she was “just a dog,” right? But that couldn’t have been further from the truth...

The Science Behind Pet Grief

Recent studies have now shown what many of us have always felt intuitively: that the grief of losing a pet activates the same parts of the brain involved in mourning human loved ones. The 2022 study published in The Human-Animal Bond Research Institute Journal noted that the loss of a pet can lead to profound neurological and hormonal changes, triggering stress responses that mirror post-traumatic stress and complicated grief.

What’s more, the bonds we form with our dogs are rooted in biology. Eye contact with a dog releases oxytocin — the same “love hormone” involved in bonding with human family members. So when that bond is broken, it’s not simply emotional — it’s physical, neurological, and deeply embodied.

Reading this research this week, I found myself looking back on the grief I experienced with new eyes. I now understand why I felt such a deep sense of disorientation after losing Grace. It wasn’t just the absence of routine — it was the loss of a presence, of a connection that helped me feel rooted and whole.

The Power of Connection

In times of grief, connection becomes everything. That’s why we want to take a moment to shine a light on the remarkable work of The Cinnamon Trust, a national charity that helps keep people and pets together — especially when times are tough. Whether through volunteer dog walking, fostering during hospital stays, or helping older adults care for their beloved companions, their work protects the powerful bond that supports both human and animal wellbeing. It’s a lifeline for many, and one that speaks directly to the heart of Mental Health Awareness Week.

Closer to home, Cornwall Mind continues to provide vital mental health support for individuals and families across our community. Their emphasis on local access, community connection, and the healing power of nature aligns beautifully with the values we hold close here at The Pets Larder. Their resources are a reminder that help is available — and that healing is always possible.

Healing and Honouring

For many of us, the road to healing after pet loss isn’t linear. It took me a long time to feel like myself again after losing Grace, and even now, years later, there are moments when her memory still brings tears. But it also brings warmth — because loving her changed me for the better. And the space she left behind continues to shape the way I care for my dogs, and the way we care for others through The Pets Larder.

If you’ve lost a pet, know that your grief is valid. Know that there is no timeline for healing. And know that you are not alone. Our pets shape our lives in ways that go beyond words — and when we lose them, it’s okay to mourn deeply.

Supporting Pet Parents Through Grief

As part of our Mental Health Awareness Week campaign, we’ve curated a Wellness Bundle to support emotional wellbeing for pets.

We’re also running a social media competition, inviting our community to share what wellness means to them — and offering one lucky participant the chance to win a hamper filled with handpicked wellness goodies.

Grief and mental health are deeply personal — but they’re also things we shouldn’t have to navigate alone. Thank you for letting me share my story. And if you’ve got one of your own, I’d love to hear it.

With warmth and understanding,
Katy Peck - Founder of The Pets Larder