Pets and Grieving

Recognizing Signs of Grief in Pets

                Patton Veterinary Hospital has had several recent questions about what to do when a dog or cat appears to be grieving the loss of a housemate.  Many pets do indeed seem to experience grief over the loss of another pet in the house or a human companion who has passed away.  Below, we will discuss common signs of grief in pets and some things you can do to help your pet feel better again.

                Loss of another companion pet from the household changes the dynamic or hierarchy within the house.  For instance, if the more dominant dog in a pair passes away, the “follower” may become anxious or confused without his or her leader to guide him. 

                Common signs of grief in dogs and cats include:

1.  Loss of or decrease in appetite
2. Changes in behavior—pets may become more “clingy” following their humans around or they may become more withdrawn.  Some pets may also exhibit destructive behaviors such as chewing or having accidents in the house.  Multi-pet households may experience a change in the pecking order so a few scuffles may occur.
3. Vocalizing or appearing to search for the pet who has died
4. Changes in sleep patterns—they may sleep more, or be more restless or they may sleep in a different area

Symptoms of grief may last a few days to a few months.  How do you help your pet through this grieving period? 

1.  Try to keep the surviving pets’ routines as much the same as possible or establish a new routine.  Dogs and cats thrive on routine.  Change can cause anxiety and sometimes even lead to illness.  Routines can minimize stress on your pet.
2. Provide distractions such as interactive toys or more walks, but be careful not to overdo the attention--too much doting may actually lead to separation anxiety when you are gone.  We must also be careful not to reinforce undesirable behaviors—for example, if your pet is whining, do not immediately comfort her as this may create attention-seeking behavior.  Try ignoring or redirecting the unwanted behavior.  Short training sessions may be helpful in providing a distraction for your pet while also shaping new behaviors.
3. Encourage your pet to eat if he or she is not eating well, but be careful not to overindulge pets with extra treats or to offer too many different types of food in hopes that they will eat. If your pet really seems ill or does not start eating after a few days, a visit to the vet may be necessary.
4.  DO NOT get a new pet unless you yourself are ready to accept a new companion in the household.  Getting a new pet before you feel ready will only create stress and limit the ability to make an emotional connection with the new pet.
5. Consider allowing other pets to see or sniff the deceased or to have other pets present while euthanasia is performed.  While it is not clear if this helps to reinforce that the deceased pet is no longer alive, some people think it helps.

Most pets will gradually get into a new routine within a few weeks of losing a fellow companion.While the loss of a pet can be difficult for all involved, keeping to a routine, continuing to enforce good behavior and discourage bad behaviors and making sure you give your pet some time to mourn the loss of their companion in their own way.However, if your pet really seems to be struggling with the loss or is becoming physically ill, take him to your veterinarian.

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.