Many pet owners will have seen their dog become depressed after the loss of another canine or feline buddy. Or perhaps their pet parent has died and family members notice that the dog is struggling to adjust. But do dogs grieve in the same way that we do, and can they comprehend the difference between a short separation versus a permanent loss?
“Differentiating between grief and separation stress can sometimes be challenging, as the two can share similar symptoms,” explains Dr. Kathryn Dench, a veterinarian with Gentle Dog Trainers. “Grief tends to arise from the loss of a specific individual, while separation stress often stems from a temporary absence.”
She explains that the key distinction likely lies in the duration and intensity of the symptoms a dog might be experiencing. “Grief-related distress can last for an extended period, and in some cases, it might lead to long-term changes in a dog’s behaviour or personality.” Often, these behavioural changes resolve after between two and six months. But as Dr. Dench mentions, sometimes a dog may never be quite the same again.
“While dogs might not fully comprehend the concept of death in the same way humans do, they are certainly capable of sensing the absence of a loved one,” says Dench. “They pick up on changes in routines, scents, and the emotional atmosphere, which can contribute to their understanding that someone or another pet is no longer present.”
We can’t ask our dogs to explain their understanding of death, but knowing more about the likely ways that they do grieve can help pet parents support their dogs while you navigate this time of loss, together.
Do Dogs Grieve The Loss of Another Dog?
“Dogs most certainly can grieve over the loss of a companion, whether that companion is human, canine, or another species,” says Dr. Sarah Reidenbach, CEO of Ruthless Kindness. “However, just like we see in people, grief can vary and can have many different behaviours.”
One study found that a dog’s behaviour does indeed change after losing a companion, and the length of time the dogs had spent together beforehand didn’t impact these changes. It also found that the pet parent’s emotional state may have an impact on any behavioural changes.
Another study found that behavioural changes tended to last around two to six months. Many pet parents are also worried about whether they should let the remaining dog see the body of their deceased companion—but this study found there was no difference in behavioural changes between pets that were offered this option and those that weren’t.
What Grief Behaviours do Dogs Display?
Research has found that dogs may exhibit behavioural changes after the death of a canine companion, including:
- Increased attention seeking
- Playing less
- Reduced activity levels
- Sleeping more
- Increased fearfulness
- Increased vocalization
- Changes to eating habits
- Seeking out the deceased pet’s favourite spots
Every dog is an individual, so some may exhibit these changes and more, while others might appear relatively unaffected. If you’re concerned about your dog’s behaviour changes after losing a companion, speak to your veterinarian for advice.
Do Dogs Mourn Their Humans?
There’s certainly anecdotal evidence that dogs mourn their human companions. “We’ll probably never know exactly how a dog perceives death,” says Dr. Reidenbach. “But we do see some distinct differences between how dogs and humans respond to death and loss. Dogs, unlike humans, usually don’t hold onto stress. They are experts at ‘shaking it off’ and moving on from traumatic events.”
Dr. Reidenbach explains that the behaviour changes in dogs after losing a human can vary a lot. “On one end of the spectrum, they may sniff around or look for a lost companion, then move on without much impact. On the other end of this spectrum, dogs may feel lost or lonely, and their routine and behaviour will change greatly.”
We know that dogs are highly empathetic, and research suggests that some of these behavioural changes may be, in part at least, influenced by the emotional status of their owners. So if you’re having a hard time adjusting to the loss of another pet, your dog may pick up on this too.
Image credit: Solovyova | iStock
Famous and Beautifully Sad Example of Grieving Dogs
We’ll warn you ahead of time—these are real tearjerkers.
- Hachiko: this white Akita Inu walked to a local train station every day for ten years, waiting for his deceased owner to return. There’s now a statue in his honour at the train station, and his story inspired the film ‘Hachi: A Dog’s Tale.’
- Greyfriars Bobby: either a Skye Terrier or Danidie Dinmont Terrier, Greyfriars Bobby spent 14 years guarding his deceased owner’s grave in Edinburgh, Scotland. Greyfriars Bobby died in 1872 and has been immortalized by a commemorative statue.
What Dog Grief Tells Us About How Dogs Connect
“Dogs are emotional beings capable of forming complex social bonds,” says Emma Thompson, dog behaviourist with The Animals Post. She goes on to say that comparing their experience of grief to humans, while imperfect, offers some interesting insights. “Both perceive loved ones as social animals, though a dog’s cognition is not identical.”
The bond and connection between humans and dogs is strong, with research showing dogs are particularly strong at interpreting and responding to human signalling. With scientists suggesting the attachment bond between humans and dogs is similar to that of a human caregiver and an infant, it’s no surprise that dogs can both feel the loss of their owner deeply and pick up on our grief if another pet dies.
Dogs connect with other dogs they live with in a slightly different way from those bonds formed with their pet parents. While research shows that most dogs prefer to live with another dog rather than alone, they don’t look to them for the same security as they would their owner. They can show signs of separation stress when apart though, but more research is needed to discover how this could manifest as grief when another dog dies.
Thompson adds that “pet parents should validate canine grief as real while also meeting each dog’s unique emotional needs during loss.” Here are some ideas for how to support your dog as you both navigate this difficult time.
How to Help A Dog Deal With Losing A Friend
It’s important to be observant of your dog if they lose a friend—which can be difficult when you, too, are grieving the same loss. But here’s some expert advice on what you can do to help.
1. Stay Active and Involved.
“Gradual daily exercise, play sessions, training, and affection can all help dogs feel secure as they slowly accept their new normal,” says Thompson.
2. Rule Out Medical Issues
Behavioural changes like decreased activity, changes to eating habits, and increased vocalization might also be due to medical issues, so it’s worth making an appointment with your veterinarian to rule this out.
3. Maintain a Routine
If a dog has lost their pet parent, they may end up moving home. “Establishing predictable routines right away is paramount such as consistent feeding, sleeping (times AND areas it is offered), play, walks, and so on, to help the dog settle in faster and ease anxiety,” recommends Jessie Kasper, behavioural trainer and owner of Mindful Methods Companion Coaching.
She also mentions the importance of regular sleep as one of the most beneficial things any species can be offered when it comes to recovering from a stressful event, so make sure your dog has somewhere safe and secure they can retreat to whenever they need.
4. Offer Your Dog a Reminder of Their Lost Loved One
If your dog wants to sleep in their friend’s bed or seems attached to their blanket or toy, consider leaving it with them rather than removing it right away. In the case of a human loss, they may want to sleep with an item of clothing.
Image credit: ArtistGNDphotography | iStock
5. Be Spontaneous
Finding fun ways to spend time with your dog can help, suggests Kasper. And to get your creative juices flowing, here are a few suggestions courtesy of Kasper. “Increasing enrichment through puzzles, simple training exercises, playing with your dog, or taking a sniff walk to decompress in nature.” Some dogs may also enjoy a ride in the car, maybe even stopping off at the drive-through for a fun treat like a puppuccino or plain hamburger. While these foods might not be the healthiest treat for our dogs, they’re fine once in a while.
6. Get Support From a Trusted Pet Caregiver
Unfortunately, our busy lives need to continue even during periods of mourning. If you need to get back to work, hiring a loving pet sitter or a dedicated dog walker is a great way to help offer your dog companionship or keep them active—and give yourself some peace of mind.
Image credit: gradyreese | iStock
Does Getting Your Dog Another Dog Help Them Cope?
It might be tempting to add a new pet to your family right away—but it’s usually better to wait. Kasper mentions that getting a new dog is another upheaval to your existing dog’s routine, and can end up feeling very chaotic for them.
“For very social dogs that thrive through playing with another dog, it can certainly help. But, for a great many dogs, they are selectively social versus outwardly social with every dog they meet,” she says. “Dogs usually need to craft individual relationships with new dogs they meet and generally appreciate slow and controlled introductions.”
Generally, most grieving dogs will start to perk up in a couple of weeks, but some may need a lot longer. Just like with humans, grief is an individual process. Make sure you give your dog enough time to readjust before introducing a new dog to the family.
3 Grief Resources for Pet Parents
Reidenbach notes that sometimes, a dog’s grief will mirror the humans in the household, while others grieve independently of their humans. Whichever is the case for your dog, it’s important to process your grief while also supporting your dog. Here are some ideas that can help.
1. Speak to Your Veterinarian or Behaviourist
If your dog is struggling, Kasper suggests speaking to your regular veterinarian or behaviourist. They may be able to help suggest how to relieve any acute anxiety your dog may be experiencing.
2. Hire a Trainer
“Engaging with your dog one-on-one simply through training can have profound effects on a dog’s quality of life and general outlook,” says Kasper. This may help establish new routines and habits. Kasper recommends looking for a trainer who specializes in behaviour modification.
3. Check Out Support Groups
Sometimes, speaking to other people who’ve also experienced the profound grief that comes with losing a pet can be comforting. Online support groups like Grieving My Pet are somewhere to share stories as you process your grief. Your veterinarian or local humane society may also be able to recommend local pet loss support groups. They may also have additional suggestions for helping your other pets with their mourning.
Be patient with yourself and your pet as you both grieve. Life will change for both of you after losing another pet, but spending time together can help you both adjust and adapt, together.
