Helping the Grief-stricken Dog

Much has been written about the loss of a pet and the affects it has on their human caretaker. In fact our website deals with grief issues and has recommendations to help you get through the loss. But what about other dogs in the household. We suffer when we lose animal friends, and many dogs do as well. Here is a reprint of an article from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The death of a beloved dog can cause as much grief as the death of a human companion. But what's often forgotten when grieving over a lost pet is the effect on other pets in the house-hold.

Do Dogs Grieve?
While there has been a great deal of experimentation and discussion about an animals ability to feel emotions, one major study indicated that dogs do in fact fell sorrow after a loss. The 1996 study – the Companion Animal Mourning Project, conducted by the ASPCA, found that 36 percent of dogs ate less than usual after the death of their canine companion, while 11 percent stopped eating completely. These dogs also changed their vocalization habit (either talking more or less). Another response came when over 50% become more affectionate and clingy to their pet parents. The study included cats and it was found that cats even starved to death after the loss of an animal companion.

Almost every pet parent will tell you they can see emotions in their pet from joy, anger, playfulness, jealously and the list goes on, so why would it not include grief. If you have recently lost one of a multi-dog household, here are some signs to look for. As with humans, the symptoms of grief can be widely varied. The most common are loss of appetite and increased lethargy, including frequent napping. Other signs may include:

1. A lack of interest in formerly pleasurable activities (walks, play, etc.)
2. House soiling
3. Unusual destructive behaviors (chewing, digging)
4. A decrease in water intake
5. An increase/decrease in vocalizations (barking, whining, howling)
6. Hiding
7. Increased clinginess and affection or an avoidance of contact
8. Self-mutilation
9. Anxiety or nervousness
10. Aggression
11. Often, if the dog died away from the house, the remaining dog sometimes also exhibited separation anxiety by sitting at a door or window for days, waiting for his friend to return.

What you can do.
The same study showed that a dog's grief often resolves within weeks. However, a hands-off approach is not necessarily the best option. Left unaddressed, grief and depression can actually become life-threatening. There are several things you can do to help ease the pain for your dog. 

1. First of all, if you notice these changes in your dog, don't automatically assume it's from grieving. Err on the side of caution and take your dog to the vet if the changes are moderate to severe or last more than a couple of weeks. There could be an underlying medical condition that needs to be ruled out. 
2. It's often helpful to give more attention and affection to your grieving dog. 
3. Keeping to your dog's routine is also helpful – feeding, grooming and playtimes. 
4. Increased exercise and mental stimulation. However, be sensitive to your dog's behavior, you may need to start slowly. If they want to take a shorter walk, that's ok. Hide toys or treats throughout the house for your dog to discover, invite friends they enjoy over for a visit, or start a new training regimen that will allow you and your dog to spend positive and productive time together.

As the pain of the loss subsides, so should the bad behavior, as long as it is related to the grieving process. If your dog's grief seems to be getting worse and slides into depression and behaviors are not improving, you may want to consult a veterinary behaviorist about a short-term course of psychopahrmaceuticals. Often adding these drugs can help stabilize and improve your dog's mood. In addition, a behaviorist can help your rule out other potential causes of psychologically based behaviors, such as canine cognitive dysfunction in older dogs.

Moving On
Families often wonder when, or if, it's advisable to bring a new dog into the home. Most vets agree there is no hard and fast rule. Some dogs respond immediately to the new member with friendliness while others completely reject it. If you think it's time to add a new member, introduce the potential pet to your current pet on neutral territory to see how they react. If the interaction is unpleasant, wait a few months and try again.

The ASPCA study also suggests keeping household changes to a minimum. Keep a few of their toys , or belonging or bedding around the house for a few weeks. Don't change food, move their bed or food bowls to a different location. 

Also be sure not to inadvertently reinforce any of your dog's grief-based behaviors. For example, don't try to distract your dog from barking or howling by offering treats. Give attention at a time your dog is engaging in behaviors that you do like, such as when resting quietly or watching the squirrels.

For more help on dealing with the loss of a pet, please see
our website.