Should You Let a Dog See Its Owner After Death?

Is there a reason to let a dog see its owner’s body after death?

Some behaviorists think it can help. VCA Animal Hospitals says that some behaviorists believe a dog’s grief response may be reduced by an opportunity to investigate the deceased, and that a dog may not fully grasp the situation, but one last visit may help it understand a companion is gone. That guidance is about the death of another pet. A dog trainer applies the same reasoning to people, suggesting that a dog be allowed to be present with a declining person and, if possible, see the body afterward.

The same trainer notes that a dog’s sense of smell likely makes it aware of physical changes before people are. The idea behind letting a dog see the body is that it may reduce searching later.

Does this actually reduce a dog’s grief or confusion?

We could not find evidence that it does. A behavior handout from Animal Behavior Associates, as summarized by Funeral.com, says there is no research telling us whether it helps a surviving pet to see the body, and the support for it is mostly owners’ reports. A 2022 study in Scientific Reports surveyed owners in Italy about grief-related changes in dogs after a companion dog died. Its stated aim was to identify and quantify grief-related reactions through owner questionnaires, not to test whether seeing the body helps.

How should this actually be done, if a family decides to allow it?

Calmly and briefly. Funeral.com’s guide says a dog may sniff once and walk away, and that the aim isn’t a perfect response. Let the dog approach at its own pace and don’t force contact. The same guide says to skip it when there is a risk to the dog, such as a contagious disease, an unknown cause of death, or a situation a veterinarian has warned about.

Is this only relevant for dogs, or does it apply to other pets too?

The same reasoning is sometimes applied to cats, according to Funeral.com’s guide. Most of the discussion is about dogs.

What if this isn’t practically possible - the death happened in a hospital, for example?

This is common, and it’s not something to feel you’ve failed at. Funeral.com’s guide says the honest answer is that it depends and that you’re not failing either way. If your dog is not eating well, call a veterinarian, because there could be a physical cause, according to VCA.

Will my dog grieve even without this kind of closure?

Dogs may show changes either way. VCA cites an ASPCA study finding that more than 60 percent of pets showed four or more behavioral changes after losing a companion, and Funeral.com’s guide describes changes in appetite, sleep, attention-seeking, and routine. These sources again mostly concern the loss of another animal. See our guide on losing a pet for the related experience of grieving a pet.

Does my dog actually “know” what death means in this moment?

Nobody knows. The authors of the 2022 study note that before it, there was no documented scientific evidence of grief in pet dogs. See our guide on does my dog know I’m dying and do animals understand death for what’s known and still uncertain.

What should I do to prepare for my pet’s care if something happens to me?

This is a separate, important practical question worth addressing now, while you’re able to - see our guide on what happens to your pet if you die for how to make sure your pet is actually cared for.

Every dog and situation is different - a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist can offer guidance specific to an individual pet’s needs and behavior.