Losing a pet is one of those heartbreaks that's hard to prepare for. And when it happens in a home with more than one animal, the grief ripples through the whole household in ways we sometimes don't expect. This episode isn't about the logistics of loss. It's about how to help the pets who are still with you adjust and what signs to watch for as they process their own version of grief. If a pet passes at home, the first thing I usually suggest is to keep things calm and quiet. If the other animals are nearby, don't panic and shoe them away. Some may want to approach and sniff. Others may want to keep their distance. Let them make that choice. Smelling the body helps many animals understand that their friend has passed, which can make the days afterward a little less confusing for them. If the loss happens at the vet's office, you can ask whether your other pet can see or smell the body afterward. It might sound uncomfortable, but it gives them the same kind of closure we humans get when we know what happened. In the days after, expect to see changes, sometimes small and sometimes pretty dramatic. A pet might become clingier or start following you everywhere. Another one might seem withdrawn or stop eating for a day or two. And you might notice changes in where they sleep or how they play or even how often they go to the bathroom. All of this can be normal, but it's worth paying attention. Just like people, animals process loss in their own way. Some dogs grieve quietly and just seem a little off for a while. Others might start vocalizing more or even act like they're searching the house for their friend. Cats often hide more or become pickier with food. When my dog Olive passed away, I saw this kind of shift first hand. Olive had been my steady, grounded girl, a calm, confident presence in the house, and my other dog, Scooter, had grown up with her since he was just eight weeks old. For years everything in their world felt balanced. But after Olive died, Scooter suddenly began guarding his things from the cat, something he had never done before. If the cat even jumped on the kitchen counter near one of Scooter's bones, Scooter would rush in to protect it. And it wasn't about the bone, it was about uncertainty. Olive had always been part of what made the world feel safe and predictable for him. And when she was gone, that sense of stability disappeared, and he started controlling what he could. With time and calm redirection and steady routines, the guarding faded. And eventually Scooter and the cat became best friends again. But that period reminded me just how deeply animals can feel loss, even if it shows up in unexpected ways. The best thing that you can do is keep routines steady. Feed them at the same time, go on the same walks, keep their favorite sleeping spot available, and stick with the familiar. Don't try to distract them with nonstop play or new activities right away. Sometimes they just need calm consistency to feel secure again. And gentle enrichment like sniff walks or puzzle toys can help. They give the animal something to do that engages the mind without being overwhelming. And I know it can be tempting to think about getting another pet right away, especially if the house feels too quiet. But give everyone time to grieve first, including yourself. Your pets will pick up on your sadness and they may need a few weeks or a few months to settle into the new, normal before another animal joins the home. When you do eventually bring a new pet in, it'll be a calmer, more stable environment for everyone. There are also some red flags to watch for. If your surviving pet stops eating completely for more than a couple of days, or shows signs of aggression, panic, or destructive behavior, that's the time to check in with your vet. Sometimes grief can unearth underlying health issues. Or your pet may just need some extra behavioral support. The truth is our pets don't grieve the same way that we do, but they do grieve. And they notice the absence. They notice changes in energy, and they notice when you're hurting too. Helping them heal means showing up for them the same way they've shown up for you, with gentleness and patience and presence. Keep the routine, offer comfort, and give yourself permission to feel sad together. Because at the end of the day, love doesn't stop when one pet is gone. It just shifts to the ones who are still there. And they need you more than ever.