DOG CARE

How to Help a Dog That Is Grieving the Loss of Another Dog

September 17, 2023

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How to Help a Dog That Is Grieving the Loss of Another Dog

How Do You Help a Dog Cope With the Loss of Another Dog

It’s obvious your dog experiences emotions like anxiety and fear, but did you know they can also feel grief and loss?

You may have seen videos of dogs who lay by their owner’s casket sullenly paying their last respects. While it may seem natural for a dog to mourn the loss of their owner, recent research shows their grief extends beyond their human counterparts. The studies show that dogs from multi-pet families go through the grieving process when one of their fellow canine’s passes away. It’s vital to know the signs of a grieving dog and how to help them navigate the process. Helping them may even help you navigate your grief.

The signs that your dog is grieving are similar to what you’d expect to see in people. Though, just like humans, dogs deal with their emotions in their own individual ways. If one of your pups passes away, keep an eye on your other dogs to see if they exhibit any of the following irregular behaviors:

10 Ways to Help Your Dog

Avoid acting overly emotional in front of your pet.
Remind yourself to take care of them.
Maintain their routine.
Keep them occupied.
Spend more time outdoors.
Spoil them.
Comfort them as needed.
Minimize their alone time.
Invest in calming aids.
Give them time to grieve.

Avoid Acting Overly Emotional in Front of Your Dog

Dogs are very sensitive to our emotions and pick up on them easily. Crying hysterically in front of a dog may cause stress and could make the grieving process harder on them. Try to stay as composed as possible in front of your dog.

Remind Yourself That You Need to Take Care of Them

During the stages of grief when losing a dog, you may feel very tired and sluggish, especially for the first few days. You may find it hard to perform tasks and take care of things. You may want to spend time alone or with close friends. Despite your difficulties, it’s important to remember to take good care of your surviving dog during this time. Ensure your dog is walked, fed, given water, and played with. If you have trouble, ask family or friends to help you out.

Maintain Your Dog’s Routine

If you used to walk your dog at a set time each day, make sure you keep walking your dog at that time. Perhaps pick a new route that won’t remind him of his lost companion. Dogs are routine-loving animals, and maintaining their routine while they are grieving can help them relax. Disruptions to a dog’s routine can disrupt their biological clock, which is what causes them to expect walks or food at certain times during the day.

Keep Them Occupied

Keeping your dog busy may help keep his mind off the loss. Provide your dog with brain games, fun training sessions, and playtime. Consider inviting some friends over to help keep him entertained.

Spend More Time Outdoors

Your dog will be more likely to think about his lost friend indoors. A walk, a car ride to a favorite pet store, or a visit to a friend can provide a nice escape, albeit temporary.

Spoil Your Dog

Pet him more, feed him food he loves, and buy him new toys. Do anything you can to make your dog feel extra special. Dogs, like humans, can benefit from indulgences and distractions when they are feeling down.

Comfort Them as Needed

The loss of a companion animal is very stressful to a dog, and many will seek comfort and reassurance from their owners. Don’t hesitate to help your dog by calmly reassuring him. Some dog owners may be afraid or tentative to make eye contact/touch/talk to their dogs because they are afraid they will reinforce negative emotions. This is based on the outdated notion that emotions can be reinforced. You cannot reinforce grief in your dog because grief, just like fear, is an emotion and not a behavior. Don’t let your dog feel like he is on his own when coping with such a stressful situation. Let him know he can count on you.

Minimize Your Dog’s Alone Time

Take your dog out with you as much as possible. If he must stay alone most of the day, hire a dog walker or have a pet sitter keep him company. Doggy daycare may also be a good idea. If these are not viable options, make sure your dog has access to interactive toys when you are away. Using a Furbo dog camera may also be helpful.

Invest in Calming Aids

A DAP (dog appeasing pheromone) diffuser or DAP collar may help ease your dog’s anxiety. Bach flowers may also prove helpful. There are several prescription and over-the-counter calming aids for dogs that can be of help during the grieving process.

Give Your Dog Time to Process the Change

Just like us, dogs need time to adjust to big changes. Rushing to get another dog to fill the gap and ease Rover’s pain may just add more stress and confusion to the grieving process. Be wary of adopting another dog right away, especially if you own an older dog. If you do eventually get another dog, take the time to select a good match that will suit your current dog’s personality. Some dogs actually thrive as an “only dog,” while others really perk up with the addition of a new companion.

Signs That a Dog Is Grieving

Just like humans, different dogs respond to loss in different ways. It’s important to recognize that these behaviors may also be signs of illness. If your dog behaves abnormally for a prolonged period of time, it’s best to play it safe and visit your veterinarian to rule out potential medical conditions.

Common Behaviors of Grieving Dogs

Clinginess:A grieving dog may want to be close to its owner. It might follow you around the house or lie down by your side more than normal. When left home alone, your dog may become stressed.
Pacing Back and Forth:Your dog might walk around the home as if looking for his departed friend. Oftentimes, grieving dogs will repeatedly check places where their lost companion used to nap.
Reduced Appetite:Your dog may refuse to eat, eat at a slower pace, or have a reduced appetite.
Increased Vocalizations: Grieving dogs often whine when looking for their lost pals.Your dog may vocalize when sniffing areas where the other dog used to sleep.
Sleeping More Than Normal: Affected dogs may curl up and sleep more frequently or for longer intervals than before. They may also choose different sleeping areas than they used to.
Signs of Depression:On top of sleeping more, an affected dog may show other signs of depression. They might seem socially detached or less willing to play than normal.

Signs Your Cat or Dog May Be Grieving

Every animal is unique and will feel loss differently. Some can spend years together and seem unphased when their longtime companion passes away, while others may start to show signs of anxiety or sadness in the days leading up to and following the loss of their friend. You may see mild or severe signs — both of which can be extremely difficult to witness as a pet owner. While the signs and severity may vary, it’s really about noticing changes in your dog or cat’s daily habits. These are some cat or dog grieving symptoms you may notice:

Eating less than normal or refusing to eat at all
Sleeping more than usual
Inability to sleep
Seeking out the favorite spots of their lost friend
Vocalizing more, less, or in a different way than usual
Decreased energy
Melancholy and lack of interest in things that generally get a response
Seeking more attention
Restlessness
Increase in separation anxiety behaviors, such as destructive chewing
Avoiding attention or interactions
Changes in potty habits and grooming

Tips to Help Your Dog or Cat Grieve the Loss of a Companion

Remember, you know your pet best. Think about what they respond to. How do they react to things like verbal praise, petting, play, and quiet time? In what situations are they likely to feel their loss more intensely? Use this insight as you comfort them. Here are some suggestions that may help:

Be there. You are one of your pet’s best sources of comfort and stress relief. Give them attention as they need it. Set aside extra time for play sessions, grooming, snuggling, and other things they enjoy.
Scent is important. Keep a few blankets, beds, and other items that are heavy with the scent of your pet who passed away. They may bring some relief to your grieving dog or cat.
An active mind is a happier mind. Quiet time together is helpful, but it’s also very healing to live and experience new things. Give your grieving pet and yourself something to be excited about. Have special play sessions, walks, and other enriching experiences.
Keep your routines. Keeping your pet’s routine in place can give them a sense of security and familiarity during a confusing and challenging time.
Manage your emotions. This one is tough—but remember, how we’re feeling can influence how our pets are feeling. In times of stress and sadness, our dogs and cats often try to take care of us as much as we take care of them.
Let them say goodbye. Depending on the circumstances of your pet’s passing, and your personal feelings on the matter, you may find it helpful to allow your living dog or cat a moment with the body of your pet who passed. We don’t know how fully they understand what’s happening, but it’s thought that being able to smell the body of their companion can sometimes ease the grieving process (as it may help them understand what happened).
Give it time. It’s essential to allow your cat or dog (and yourself) time to process the loss of the other pet. Acknowledging grief is important to learning how to live with it as you and your pet adjust to the missing presence in your family’s day-to-day routine. If your dog or cat continues to show worrisome behavior after a month, speak with your veterinarian. While it may feel like you need to go out and bring home another pet to cheer everyone up, this can be difficult for both you and your current pet. Be thoughtful and consider whether you and your pet are genuinely ready to add another member of the family during the grieving process.

While you can’t take your pet’s pain away, you can certainly help them through their grief. You may even find it helps you through your grief in the process.

Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)

Image-Courtesy-Google

Reference-On Request.