When your dog mourns the companionship of another dog, it can be heart breaking. Although it is not known how much dogs understand about death, it's clear that dogs can become extremely depressed after a companion dies. Just like humans who have lost a loved one, many dogs lose their appetite, no longer have interest in their favorite activities, become lethargic or sleep excessively. If you are worried about your dog's behavior, speak to your vet. She may wish to prescribe medication to help ease your dog's anxiety. A New Position Gentle Distraction Even though your dog is older, he can keep learning for his entire life. Teach him new tricks or easy games. Also, set aside a few minutes each day to bond with your dog. Spend 15 minutes brushing him or giving him a massage - he'll start looking forward to the new routine. Patience is Key During your dog's grieving process, don't give him attention when he's exhibiting behavior you don't like - it will reinforce this negative behavior. If your dog is barking, whining or howling, don't distract him. Give him attention when he is sitting or resting quietly. Time for a New Dog? Published: 6/14/2021 There's no denying dogs are emotionally aware and intelligent beings who love their families. Studies show that interacting with your fur-baby increases your oxytocin levels as well as your dog's. In both dogs and humans, oxytocin plays a key role in social bonding. Positive interactions strengthen the social bond, so it makes sense that dogs would grieve the absence of their pet parent or a close family member. But do dogs really grieve? Experts are divided. Some canine behaviorists believe a dog's grief is more closely related to a change in routine or their environment than the absence of a "pack" member. Some skeptics think that grieving dogs are actually experiencing severe separation anxiety while waiting for their loved one to return. Meanwhile, others believe dogs truly do grieve the loss of their human and animal companions. It's not like we can just ask our dogs how they feel. And we're still not sure if dogs can comprehend death as a permanent absence. Scientifically, it's impossible to say for certain that dogs experience "true" grief. Anecdotally, however, we're inclined to agree that dogs do mourn the loss of their loved ones. But for how long? Let's see what science has to say. The duration of a dog's grief varies depending on a range of factors, like their temperament and the nature of their bond with their loved one. One study found that behavioral changes following the loss of another family pet lasted between 2 and 6 months. More than 40% of dogs experienced changes in eating habits, like eating less food at a slower pace, for up to 2 months. More than 30% became more affectionate, while 60% displayed territorial behaviors. While fewer studies have investigated dogs grieving the death of a pet parent, you'll find tons of anecdotal evidence and viral posts online. Like the story of Hachiko, an Akita living in Japan who walked to the train station every day to meet his human, who'd passed away nearly 10 years prior. So how long do dogs grieve? Ultimately, it depends. Every dog is different. Some dogs may overcome their grief within 2 months, while others may take 10 years or more. Some dogs even need medication or behavioral training to combat symptoms of grief and depression. The important thing is to love them through it, no matter how long it takes. Every person (and pup) grieves in their own way and in their own time, so don't rush the process. Here are some more resources to help you better understand grief in dogs and how you can help: Need expert advice on grief in dogs? Chat with a vet now and get an answer within 24 hours. A heart-tugging image of a brown Labrador retriever named Hawkeye lying beside the American flag-draped casket of his human companion, Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson, went viral on the internet within hours. Pet lovers were moved by the symbol of loyalty shown by the dog who would not leave his best friend’s side. For many Americans, the image also served as a reminder of the lives that were lost on 9/11 and of those who are still serving in Afghanistan. For others, the depiction of a seemingly depressed and heart-broken dog represented the possibility that there’s more to our pets’ psychology than has ever been identified. If dogs are capable of grieving, then how can we, as pet lovers, help them deal with their pain? How can we heal them after the loss a loved one? Signs your dog is mourning A dog that experiences any kind of major change, such as the introduction of a new child or a move of residence, can show signs of depression, says Dr. Christopher Pachel, a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist. When an extremely, socially bonded dog loses a member of the family, whether it’s another dog in the household or a human companion, the physical signs of depression can show up at greater heights and lengths. Mourning may lead to a loss in appetite, lowered water intake, sluggish response to humans and other pets, a loss of interest in play or physical activity, and even a mournful howl here and there. The symptoms can also increase gradually over weeks or months. If you’ve noticed these symptoms in your pet, it’s best to get the dog to a vet as soon as possible to rule out any potential physical illness. Before your dog passes away How to help a dog in mourning Show your pet a little patience, human emotions and behaviors can also feed in to the dog’s mood or behavior, suggests Dr. Pachel. “It’s a natural human tendency to want to console, to comfort, to soothe, to nurture, yet it is possible to feed in to the negative emotional process,” Dr. Pachel warns. For instance, “If the dog is reluctant to eat and then gets more attention for sitting by the bowl rather than eating that’s a great way to create a picky eater, at that point.” Maintaining a normal routine for your pet, such as maintaining a familiar eating time or playtime, is the best way to help with the transitional process. Take a tip from animals that live in the wild. They don’t have as much time to grieve as domesticated animals, “they have to move on pretty quickly, to suck it up and keep going, just like some of us must do,” Thomas says. “This doesn’t mean that grief isn’t still with them, just that they can’t do much about it.” In the case of an extremely depressed dog, you can also add more playtime to your dog’s normal routine to raise serotonin levels, which may have a positive impact on your dog’s behavior. Read Cesar’s ideas on how to engage in thoughtful playtime with your dog. When to introduce a new dog to the pack Introducing a new dog to the family during a time of transition can, in effect, establish an nonconstructive dynamic in the household, explains Dr. Pachel. The owner’s attitude might change, which can create further confusion in your pet. Consistency and stability is more important for the dog who’s grieving. |