Do Dogs grieve the loss of another Dog?

We often get asked what is our opinion on how to handle other pets in the household during and after the euthanasia or the loss of a furry companion. We believe that other pets should be given the opportunity to acknowledge their friend has passed by either being present during the euthanasia, or by being able to see them after they have passed away. They understand death in their own way and will have to process their grief in their own time.

Common Signs and Behaviours of How Dogs Grieve for Other Dogs

They may be quieter than normal, eat less than normal and play less than normal. They may not be as keen on going for walks because their friend is not there. This may last days or weeks, depending on the individual pet.

There are a few things that we feel can sometimes help:

1. Sticking to the routine.

2. Ensuring you have one-on-one quality time together each day.

3. Spend the time to maybe teach them new tricks or play with new toys.

4. Go on special walks with them. It will help both of you during this time.

How to Help Your Grieving Dog

We suggest creating a new section about ‘How to Help Your Grieving Dog’.

• Give them more attention. Make sure you have time to bond more and do things together.

• Positive social interactions and physical activity can really help fill the emptiness your surviving pet may be feeling.

• Dogs love routine and they feel safer if they know what to expect. Make sure you keep their routine similar to before.

• Recognise the signs of grief (e.g. anxiety, depression, whining, waiting for their friend).

• If concerned and signs are severe or not going away, please check with your vet.

• More importantly, you don’t need to worry about getting another dog straight away. Most dogs will cope fine without their friend after a little while. We find that sometimes adding another dog to the household in a moment of stress, can generate more anxiety and depression depending on the pet’s personality and family life-style.

When to Consult a Veterinarian

In general, we feel most pets will recover after a few days. However, if concerned or in doubt, always check with your veterinarian. In the past we have also seen pets that were actually sick and the family thought they were just grieving, so it is important to consider that.

FAQS

• How long will a dog grieve the loss of another dog?

  It can last minutes, days, weeks or months. It really varies. It depends on the dog’s personality and how dependent they were on their friend. They are very resilient though and most of the times will recover quickly.

• Do dogs realise when another dog dies?

  We believe so. We have witnessed some pretty interesting and beautiful reactions from pets as their friend is passing away.

• Can Dogs Become Depressed When Another Dog Dies?

  Yes. Dogs are social beings and they rely heavily on the relationships they build. It can be very difficult for some dogs to accept that sudden change and some dogs can get quite depressed as result.

• What are the signs that a dog is grieving another dog?

  Looking or waiting for their friend. Uninterested in play or walks. Struggling with the change in routine.

• Can dogs show sadness after losing another dog?

  Yes. Some dogs may whimper or howl when they are sad or when they are missing their friend. It really depends on their personality though. For most dogs, we feel any signs of sadness is gone within a few days.