Should Your Other Pets Be Present During Euthanasia?

One of the more common questions we’re asked when scheduling in-home euthanasia is: “Should my other pets be there?”

It’s a question that comes from a place of care—you’re thinking about everyone in your family, not just the pet you’re saying goodbye to. You wonder if seeing their companion die will be traumatic, or if not being there will be more confusing. You worry about getting it wrong.

Here’s what research and our experience tells us: In most cases, yes—your other pets should have the opportunity to be present, or at minimum, to see their companion’s body after they’ve passed.

Let us explain why, and when it might not be the right choice.

For a long time, scientists debated whether animals truly grieve or if they simply respond to changes in routine. That debate is largely settled now. According to a 2022 study published in Scientific Reports, dogs absolutely do grieve the loss of companion dogs, showing measurable changes in behavior related to activities, sleep, and emotional responses like fearfulness.

The evidence extends beyond dogs. Elephants investigate and mourn their dead. Orcas carry deceased calves for days or weeks. Research in evolutionary biology, cognitive biology, and social neuroscience supports the view that many diverse animals have rich emotional lives that include grief.

For our dogs and cats, grief looks like changes in eating, sleeping, searching behavior, vocalization, and activity levels. According to surveys of pet owners and observations from veterinarians, these changes commonly occur after the loss of a companion animal—and that grief seems to be influenced by whether they had the chance to understand what happened to their friend.

When pets are present or allowed to view the body after euthanasia, most simply sniff their companion, sometimes linger briefly, and then walk away. They seem to “know.” That brief encounter appears to provide information that helps them process the change.

This is one of the major advantages of choosing in-home euthanasia. Your other pets can be part of the process in their own home environment, on their own terms. They can be present throughout, come in after the sedation, or view the body after everything is complete—whatever works best for your specific situation.

Some owners prefer to focus entirely on the pet that is passing, finding that managing other pets would be a distraction during an emotional moment. Others find comfort in having another companion nearby during the process. Both approaches are completely valid—this decision should work for you, not just for your pets.

While we generally recommend having other pets present or allowing them to view the body, there are some situations where modifications make sense. Here’s what to consider based on our experience:

Some pets become very excited or anxious when a stranger enters the home. If your pet is the type who can’t settle down with a visitor present, trying to manage their needs might leave too little space for you to focus on your dying pet and your own feelings.

Solution: We can put excited or anxious pets in another room initially, then have our doctor step out after the sedation so they can come in and see their companion when things are calmer.

Some pets are protective of their home space or of their companion. This is especially important to consider for the first injection (the sedative), as there can be unpredictability in how your pet reacts, which might put protective pets on edge or even lead to defensive behavior.

Solution: We can keep protective pets safely separated during the injections, then allow them to be present after the sedation when their companion is peaceful, or bring them in after the procedure is complete.

Just like with people, not every pet wants to be there. Some pets will choose to stay away, hide in another room, or leave the area. This should be respected—it’s their way of coping.

Solution: Leave doors open so pets can choose their level of involvement. Some will come and go. Some will stay at a distance. Some will curl up right next to their friend. All of these responses are normal.

There are many ways to allow your other pets to engage in the process even if they can’t be present for the actual procedure. What matters is giving them the information they need—the chance to smell and understand that their companion has died.

Based on years of experience with in-home euthanasia, here’s what we commonly see:

Some pets show intense interest and support—staying right beside their companion until they sense the transition is complete, then walking away.

Others show little obvious interest—they might briefly sniff and then leave the room or appear to ignore what’s happening. This doesn’t mean they don’t care or aren’t processing it. It’s just their individual way of coping.

Rarely, pets show signs of distress or aggression toward the deceased body. This is uncommon, but if it happens, gently redirect them and remove them from the situation.

When pets are brought in to view the body after euthanasia (because they weren’t present during), the interaction is typically very brief. A glance, a brief sniff, and they walk away. That’s usually enough. They “know.”

You might expect a lengthy, emotional reaction, but most pets are surprisingly matter-of-fact about it. And yet, that brief encounter seems to provide important information about what happened to their companion.

It’s important not to hold specific expectations for how your pets “should” react or what their reaction means. Some animals may vocalize or show visible emotion. Others may take a passing glance and walk away, appearing unbothered. Neither response indicates more or less love for their companion—they’re just individual differences in how animals process change and loss.

Try not to project your own feelings onto your pets or read too deeply into their reactions. Their grief process is different from ours, and that’s okay.

Animals are individuals, just like people, and they grieve differently. Common signs of grief in pets include:

Changes in appetite: Decreased eating is most common, though some pets eat more.

Sleep disruptions: Sleeping more, sleeping in different places, or restlessness.

Searching behavior: Looking in places where their companion used to be, waiting by doors.

Increased vocalization: Crying, whining, or meowing more than usual.

Lethargy or decreased activity: Less interest in play, walks, or usual activities.

Anxiety: Clinginess, following you everywhere, or separation anxiety.

Changes in interactions: Some pets who had adversarial relationships may relax and show personality traits that weren’t visible before.

These signs typically appear within the first few days and usually resolve gradually over several weeks to a few months. The grief process in animals appears similar to humans in that it comes in waves—they may seem fine one moment and sad the next.

Here’s what helps your surviving pets during their grief process:

Maintain routines: Grief is disruptive. Keeping feeding times, walk times, and daily rhythms as consistent as possible provides stability and security.

Offer extra affection: It’s absolutely okay to spoil them with affection and even extra treats (within their health guidelines) during this time. Physical comfort helps.

Provide distraction: For dogs, schedule playdates with dogs they know and like, or regular trips to the dog park. For cats, increase cuddling time or interactive play sessions.

Be patient: Your pets are processing a loss. Give them time and space to grieve in their own way.

Don’t rush to replace: Bringing a new pet into the home too soon, before surviving pets have processed the loss, can increase stress and anxiety. The new pet disrupts routines while everyone is already adjusting. Wait until the household has stabilized.

Watch your own grief: Research shows that pets living with humans under stressful conditions show elevated cortisol levels—they sense and may mirror our emotional states. Taking care of your own grief helps them too.

Most grief is normal and healthy, but watch for:

Severe or prolonged symptoms: If signs persist beyond a few weeks or worsen over time.

Complete loss of appetite: Especially in cats, where prolonged anorexia can quickly become life-threatening (hepatic lipidosis).

Dramatic weight loss.

Complete withdrawal: Refusing to interact with family members at all.

Aggressive or destructive behavior that’s new and persistent.

These could indicate either complicated grief or an underlying medical condition that needs attention.

After your pet passes, you’ll naturally focus more attention on your surviving pets. Sometimes what appears to be grief-related behavior change is actually a medical condition that was present before but went unnoticed while you were caring for your sick pet.

Don’t automatically assume concerning symptoms are grief-related. Have your surviving pets evaluated by your veterinarian to rule out underlying medical issues, especially in older pets. Your veterinarian can provide support through medication if grief-related symptoms are severe, and can identify and treat any other health conditions that may be present.

You know your animals better than anyone. Some will want to be present throughout. Some will want to view the body after. Some will choose to stay away. All of these are valid responses, and you can work with us to create a situation that honors both your dying pet’s peace and your surviving pets’ needs.

The goal isn’t to force a particular experience—it’s to give your other pets the information they need to understand that their companion is gone. Whether that happens through being present for the process, viewing the body after, or even just smelling the blanket or toy their friend was lying on, that information seems to matter.

In our experience, families who allow their other pets some form of involvement—however that looks for their specific situation—rarely regret it. And they often report that their surviving pets adjusted more quickly than expected.

Research on Pet Grief:

1. Uccheddu, S., Ronconi, L., Albertini, M., Coren, S., da Graça Pereira, G., de Cataldo, L., Haverbeke, A., Mills, D. S., Pierantoni, L., Riemer, S., Testoni, I., & Pirrone, F. (2022). Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) grieve over the loss of a conspecific. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 1920. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-05669-y
2. King, B. J. (2018, August 24). Do animals experience grief? Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/do-animals-experience-grief-180970124/
3. Balcombe, J. (2024, February 20). When animals mourn. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/when-animals-mourn/

Veterinary Perspectives:

4. Letters: Closure for housemates after a pet’s euthanasia. (2012). DVM360. https://www.dvm360.com/view/letters-closure-housemates-after-pets-euthanasia
5. Home Pet Euthanasia of Southern California. (2014, September 17). Should other pets be present. https://www.homepeteuthanasia.com/preparing/should-other-pets-be-present
6. Midtown Mobile Veterinary Hospice Services. (2023, October 18). Should other pets be present during the euthanasia? https://mmvhs.ca/blog/should-other-pets-be-present-during-the-euthanasia/
7. Peaceful Shores Veterinary Hospice. (2025, July 25). Should my other pet be present? https://peacefulshoresvethospice.com/should-my-other-pet-be-present/

Supporting Research:

8. Adams, C. L., Bonnett, B. N., & Meek, A. H. (2000). Predictors of owner response to companion animal death in 177 clients from 14 practices in Ontario. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 217(9), 1303-1309.
9. Packman, W., Carmack, B. J., Katz, R., Carlos, F., Field, N. P., & Landers, C. (2014). Online survey as empathic bridging for the disenfranchised grief of pet loss. OMEGA – Journal of Death and Dying, 69(4), 333-356.
10. How animals grieve. (2021, January 13). Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vth/animal-health/how-animals-grieve/
11. McConnell, A. R., Brown, C. M., Shoda, T. M., Stayton, L. E., & Martin, C. E. (2011). Friends with benefits: On the positive consequences of pet ownership. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(6), 1239-1252.