Symptoms and Support for Grieving Dogs By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces No two dogs are alike. They are individuals with personalities, quirks, and minds of their own. And though no human can get inside a dog’s mind, anyone who has ever seen a dog lose a beloved human or furry family member knows that dogs feel loss and profound sadness.
For years, people believed that dogs were not capable of grieving and were responding to human emotions. But, newer research indicates that changes in a dog’s behavior following a person's or companion dog's death are expressions of grief. Do dogs feel grief? Dogs feel grief when they lose a human or animal companion. Like humans, dogs mourn the loss of the individual and their bond with that person or animal. A survey of dog guardians found that 86% saw negative changes in the behavior of the surviving dog after the death of a companion dog in the home. Guardians reported seeing changes in the surviving dog’s activities, such as eating habits, sleeping, and interest in playing. They also observed emotional changes, such as becoming fearful. Signs and symptoms of grief in dogs. When dogs mourn the loss of a two or four-legged family member, they show many of the same behavioral changes humans do. For example, when a dog loses a close human or animal companion, they may:
Some grieving dogs may show signs of stress, such as:
What can you do for a grieving dog? Grief is a normal part of losing a human or animal family member, so give your dog time to grieve and mourn the loss. In the meantime, you can help your dog cope by keeping their routine as normal as possible. Avoid any additional disruption that could cause your dog stress. You can comfort your dog by giving extra cuddles and praising them for calm behavior. Rather than reprimanding your dog, ignore behaviors you want to discourage, such as howling or waiting for a missing family member to return. Instead, encourage your pup to engage with you and snuggle or play a game. You and your dog may feel lost, so be there for each other. Spend extra time with your dog and give them more affection. Speak to your dog as you go through your day. Your dog will be comforted by the sound of your voice. If your dog enjoys people, invite friends over who you know will interact with your pup. Encourage interaction with people so your dog does not become socially withdrawn. When you leave the house, provide entertainment for your dog. For example, hide treats all around the house so your pup has to go searching. You might also leave the television or radio on to keep them company. Talk to your vet if your dog does not appear to improve or shows signs of stress that could harm their health. How long will a dog grieve the loss of another dog? Most dogs’ behavior returns to normal within 2 to 6 months. But, in some cases, guardians reported noticing grief-related behavior changes that lasted longer than six months. The length of time a dog grieves the loss of another dog varies from dog to dog. Several factors may affect the length of the dog’s grieving process. These include the dog’s age, health, and relationship with the other dog. It can also be affected by the grieving process of the humans in the home.
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