Canine Grief - “Do Dogs Mourn?”
When
one dog dies, owners will often notice some changes in the pets that are left
behind. They may become aloof or lethargic. Some may stop eating or become
clingy. Based on these outward signs, it appears that dogs do grieve when their
canine companion dies.
When a person experiences the death of a human loved
one, we may know he feels grief based on what he says. Very often, however, it
is how he reacts or what he does that tells us he is suffering. He loses his
focus, becomes listless and disoriented, doesn’t eat and becomes disinterested
in what is happening around him. The person may cry or go without sleep or
sleep more than usual.
An animal that is experiencing the loss of another
animal companion may react similarly. “Some animals can actually become
depressed when they lose a loved one,” says Monique D. Chretien, MSc, AHT, and
Animal Behavior Consultant. “They show symptoms similar to humans such as loss
of interest in their favorite activities and sleeping more than usual. However,
sometimes dogs may distance themselves from the family and sleep more than
usual when they are ill, so you should consult with your veterinarian before
seeing a behaviorist if your dog exhibits symptoms such as these.”
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals conducted a Companion Animal Mourning Project in 1996. The study found
that 36 percent of dogs ate less than usual after the death of another canine
companion. About 11 percent actually stopped eating completely. About 63
percent of dogs vocalized more than normal or became quieter. Study respondents
indicated that surviving dogs changed quantity and location of sleep. More than
half the surviving pets became more affectionate and clingy with their
caregivers. Overall, the study revealed that 66 percent of dogs exhibited four
or more behavioral changes after losing a pet companion.
If your dog shows signs that she is grieving the
loss of an animal or human family member, provide her with more attention and
affection. “Try to take her mind off it by engaging her in a favorite
activity,” says Chretien. If she enjoys human company, invite friends that she
likes to visit and spend time with her. Use environmental enrichment techniques
such as toys to help keep her busy. Hide toys or treats at her favorite spots
for her to find during the day.
If your dog is too depressed over the loss, she may
not respond to extra activity right away. The old saying, “Time heals all
wounds,” has meaning for your dog too. “Time is one thing that may help,” says
Chretien. Based on the results of the ASPCA study, most dogs returned to normal
after about two weeks but some dogs took up to six months to fully recover.
If your dog is vocalizing more or howling, don’t
give her treats to distract her or you might unintentionally reinforce the
howling. “Giving attention during any behavior will help to reinforce it so be
sure you are not reinforcing a behavior that you don’t like,” says Chretien.
“Give attention at a time when your dog is engaging in behaviors that you do
like, such as when she is resting quietly or watching the squirrels. As the
pain of loss begins to subside, so should the vocalizing, as long as it is
related to the grieving process.”
If you are thinking about adding another dog, wait
until you and your surviving dog have adjusted to the loss. Forcing your dog to
get to know a newcomer will only add stress to their already anxiety-ridden
emotional state. And be patient. Your dog may miss the canine companion as much
as you do.
Dr. Kathleen Cooney - www.HometoHeaven.com
How to Help
While extremely long periods of grieving aren’t
normal in dogs, simply showing patience and understanding to a pet in mourning
can help an anguished dog cope, suggests anthropologist and author Elizabeth
Marshall Thomas.
While it’s safe to 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 says. 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 to your dog’s normal routine to raise serotonin levels, which may have
a positive impact on your dog’s behavior. A dog that doesn’t get much playtime
could benefit from a short walk or exercise. Read Cesar’s ideas on how to
engage in thoughtful playtime with your dog.
When one dog in a two-dog household is gravely ill,
it may help for the healthier dog to be present during euthanasia, or at least
for the animal to see the deceased dog’s body, says Dr. Pachel. Similarly with
a dog like Hawkeye, who was able to lie near the casket of his deceased owner,
if it’s a possible scenario, it just may help the dog to understand the process
better.
As for getting a new pet as a replacement, it really
depends on the individual situation, says Thomas. “When I’ve lost a loved one,
it didn’t help me to bring in a new person as a replacement for the deceased
person.”
Introducing a new dog to the family during a time of
transition can, in effect, establish an unconstructive 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.
By Brandi Andres: "A Dog in Mourning: Helping
our Pets Cope with Loss"