Behavioral Changes: Some dogs may change some of their behaviors after another dog dies. Grief can even alter a dog's personality. If the dog that has passed away was a leader, the dog left behind may feel it's now his responsibility to take on that job.
A recent study concluded that common signs associated with mourning are: 36% of dogs experienced a decreased appetite following the loss of a canine companion. Approximately 11% refused to eat at all. Many dogs slept more than usual while some suffered insomnia.
While dogs might not understand the full extent of absence, this research highlights that dogs do understand loss and emotional despair. In fact, the team found that many dogs show grief-related behavioural and emotional patterns when another pet in the household died.
Pet owners may have long suspected it, but now a study has found that nearly 90 per cent of dogs that experienced the death of a “companion” canine in the same household showed negative behaviours in the following months. This included becoming less playful, eating less, being more fearful and seeking more attention.
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.
If your dog loves to be social and be around people, invite some friends who are social with the dog to come over and spend some time with them. If your dog is social with other animals, try taking them to a dog park to play with other dogs and get their mind off the loss at home.
Go on lots of walks
Exercise can be an excellent stress reliever for dogs and can also be a helpful in managing your own grief. Visit both familiar and new places and let your dog explore at their own pace.
Your dog will hardly know what happened and will simply start to feel pleasantly drowsy. You will notice that I said “Your vet will hopefully prepare an anaesthetic or sedative injection for your dog”. Some do not. Having seen it done both ways, the “two injection” method is definitely my preference.
Isolation or becoming extra needy. Other signs that a dog is dying is if they either socially distancing themselves from humans or other pets, or become unusually clingy or needy. If you notice your dog seeking solitude, respect their space and engage with them slowly and calmly.
Yes, your dog knows how much you love him! Dogs and humans have a very special relationship, where dogs have hijacked the human oxytocin bonding pathway normally reserved for our babies. When you stare at your dog, both your oxytocin levels go up, the same as when you pet them and play with them.
Dogs' noses are so powerful that they're able to sniff out the changes in certain cells when people develop illnesses like cancer. So, it should be no surprise that dogs can sniff out cancer in other pups, too.
Your local vet will be well placed to deal with cat and dog death and handling their remains, and if you wish for it to be handled by them simply place a call as soon as possible. Your vet should then be able to organise the collection and subsequent burial or cremation, according to your preference.
Most experts agree that the time to get a new pet is after you have worked through your grief adequately to be able to look forward to a new pet instead of back at the recently departed one. That process could take a week or two – or many months.
Take the time to focus on your bond with your surviving pet. Think about what makes them happy and do more than that. For some dogs this might be getting lots of fuss, and for others it might be training, play or longer walks. Human or animal, loss affects us all, but we cope best when we care for each other.
The first person you should call is your vet. If they don't have the facilities to handle your dog's body as you wish they will be able to direct you to someone who does. If there is a Pet cemetery in your area, they are also usually able to make collections.
The last few days before your dog passes you may notice: extreme weight loss, a distant look in their eyes, a lack of interest in anything, restlessness or unusual stillness, a change in the way that your dog smells, and a changed temperament.
Some dogs will become restless, wandering the house and seeming unable to settle or get comfortable. Others will be abnormally still and may even be unresponsive.
Dogs that are in pain often sleep more – they may be trying to heal, or it might even be difficult for them to move around and be active. A loss of appetite and noticeable differences in the amount of water they're drinking are often common symptoms.
The heart and lungs will stop functioning within minutes after injecting the euthanasia solution, so dogs generally won't feel pain because they are unconscious. They may react to the procedure by having muscle spasms or crying out due to underlying sickness, yet the whole process is quick, simple, and painless.
It helps with grief – Staying with your pet during their passing is something most people prepare to do. You have the chance to realize that this goodbye is best for your best friend, to end their pain and suffering. With this in mind, you can start the grieving process well before the end.
Pet lovers are often overcome with the feeling that they've betrayed a beloved friend with the decision to end his or her life. It can accompany feelings of horror, helplessness and even anger. Choosing to end the life of a suffering pet is a traumatic decision.
Why do humans feel such a deep loss for their pups? Because dogs are so much more than pets. The loss of a dog is so painful because people are losing a little life that we were responsible for as well as a source of unconditional love and companionship. There's a reason that most emotional support animals are dogs.
Veterinarians have many medications that can help your dog cope with loss. I've prescribed various anti-depressants along with plenty of exercise with successful outcomes. I also recommend pheromones, L-theanine, colostrum calming complex, melatonin, and Bach flower essences for grieving dogs.
If your dog has died and you're brokenhearted — it's OK. You've experienced a major loss, and it's natural to grieve. Allow yourself to experience the emotions. If you feel stuck, you can help yourself by finding ways to memorialize your pet, honor their memory, and express your emotions.
You must decide if you are both mentally and physically ready for another pet in your household. Sometimes adopting a new pet right away may help immensely with your grieving process. Other times, it can make your situation more chaotic and won't give you time to process your grief properly.