Dog lovers consider big, mournful puppy eyes gazing at them to be heartwarming. Those soulful glances melt human hearts. But after the loss of a feline, canine, or human companion, could those mournful eyes indicate that the dog is actually mourning?
The bond between humans and dogs is truly special As a dog owner myself, I’ve often wondered what goes on in my furry friend’s mind when I leave the house. But what about when that separation becomes permanent? Do our faithful companions understand and grieve when we’re gone forever? This question touches the hearts of many pet parents, and today I’ll dive deep into the emotional world of our canine friends
The Emotional Life of Dogs: More Complex Than We Thought
Dogs have been our companions for thousands of years, evolving alongside us not just physically but emotionally. Their ability to form deep bonds with humans is unquestionable – but their capacity for grief has been debated.
Recent research has revealed that dogs possess a rich emotional life that we’re only beginning to understand. Brain imaging studies show that similar areas of dogs’ brains light up when they experience emotions parallel to human feelings. This suggests that while we can’t say for certain if dogs experience grief exactly as we do, they certainly feel something when they lose someone they love.
Signs Your Dog May Be Grieving
When a dog loses their human companion, they often display behaviors that strongly suggest they’re experiencing grief. No two dogs grieve the same way – just like us humans, each dog processes loss differently. Here are common signs that your dog might be grieving:
- Behavioral changes: Acting markedly different from their normal routine
- Appetite loss: Refusing to eat or eating less than usual
- Lethargy: Decreased energy levels and interest in activities
- Clinginess: Becoming more attached to remaining family members
- Searching behavior: Looking for their lost person
- Sleep disruptions: Sleeping more or having trouble settling down
- Anxiety symptoms: Including panting, whining, barking, pacing, and fidgeting
- Withdrawal: Becoming less social or interactive
As Jme Thomas, executive director at Motley Zoo Animal Rescue, explains: “Dogs are highly intuitive and sensitive, more than people give them credit for.” They need time to figure things out and process their feelings when experiencing loss.
The Science Behind Dog Grief
Barbara J. King, professor emerita of anthropology at the College of William and Mary and author of “How Animals Grieve,” defines grief in animals as when “a surviving animal shows distress through behavior that is markedly divergent from his routine.”
Several scientific studies support the idea that dogs experience something akin to grief:
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A 2021 study in the Journal of Veterinary Science found that dogs who lost their primary caregiver showed reduced appetite increased lethargy, and sought comfort from other family members.
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Research from the University of Milan revealed that dogs who lost a pet companion exhibited behaviors like searching for the deceased animal, increased clinginess, and altered sleep patterns.
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Studies examining dogs’ reactions during owner absence show increased stress levels and behavioral changes that indicate emotional distress
Real-Life Examples of Canine Grief
One striking example of a dog’s grief comes from June 2014, when Constable Dave Ross, a Canadian police dog handler, lost his life in the line of duty. His German Shepherd Dog, Danny, whimpered beside his owner’s casket throughout the funeral – a heartbreaking display of canine grief.
Many dog owners can share similar stories. After my neighbor passed away suddenly last year, her dog Bruno refused to eat for days and would sit by the front door for hours, waiting for a return that would never come. When I began taking care of Bruno, he would still occasionally search the house, as if looking for his beloved human.
Do Dogs Miss Us When We’re Just Away?
While grief typically refers to permanent loss, dogs also miss their owners during temporary absences. A 2020 study from Azabu University in Japan found that dogs experience increased stress during their owner’s absence, with heightened heart rates and more frequent pacing or vocalizations.
The longer the separation, the more intense the dog’s emotional response tends to be. When reunited with their owners, dogs typically show strong signs of affection – tail wagging, jumping, and licking – behaviors associated with joy and relief.
This suggests that the bond between dogs and humans runs deep, and separation – whether temporary or permanent – can cause emotional distress for our furry friends.
Do Dogs Grieve the Loss of Other Household Members?
Dogs don’t just form attachments to their primary caregivers. They can develop strong bonds with all family members, including children and other pets.
When Kids Leave Home
When children leave for college or move out, many dogs show signs of missing them. A 2018 study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that dogs form unique attachments with each household member and may display different behaviors depending on who is absent.
If a dog was particularly close to a child who leaves for college, they might show signs similar to separation anxiety – decreased energy, appetite loss, and increased sleeping.
When Fellow Pets Pass Away
Dogs can also grieve the loss of animal companions. Research shows that 66% of dogs exhibit grief-like behaviors after losing a canine housemate, including:
- Decreased appetite
- Increased vocalization (whining or howling)
- Reduced playfulness
- Seeking comfort from their humans
How Long Do Dogs Grieve?
Like humans, the grieving process varies widely among dogs. Some may show signs of grief for just a few days, while others might grieve for months. Most dogs will gradually adjust to the new normal, though they may never completely “get over” the loss of a beloved human or animal companion.
Sally Morgan, a holistic physical therapist for animals and humans, says: “I have no doubt that dogs miss us as much as we miss them, and like us, they need time to heal from a deep emotional loss.”
Supporting a Grieving Dog
If your dog is grieving the loss of a person or pet, there are several ways you can help them through this difficult time:
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Maintain routines: Dogs find comfort in predictability, so try to stick to normal feeding, walking, and play schedules.
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Provide extra attention: Spend more time with your dog, giving them the comfort of your presence.
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Physical touch: Increased petting and cuddling can help strengthen your bond and provide reassurance.
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Exercise and play: Regular physical activity can help reduce stress and anxiety.
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Monitor health: Grief can mask other health issues, so consult a veterinarian if you notice significant changes in appetite or behavior.
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Be patient: Allow your dog time to process their feelings and adjust to changes.
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Consider new companions: In some cases, introducing a new pet can help, though timing is important.
What About Dogs Who Change Owners?
Rehoming situations bring up another important question: do dogs miss their former owners? Research from the University of Bristol indicates that while most dogs adapt to new homes within a few weeks, those with particularly strong bonds to previous owners may take longer to adjust.
This suggests that dogs do have the capacity to miss their old owners, especially if the bond was strong. However, with time and care, most dogs form new attachments to their new families.
The Bottom Line: Yes, Dogs Do Grieve
The evidence strongly suggests that dogs do grieve the loss of their owners and other loved ones. While we can’t know exactly what they’re thinking or feeling, their behavioral changes indicate that they experience emotional distress when separated from those they love.
Russell Hartstein, a certified behaviorist and dog trainer, notes that when an owner passes away before their pet, “it can be a confusing, sad, and difficult period, even if arrangements have been made for the animal to be taken care of by someone else.”
As someone who’s witnessed dog grief firsthand, I believe it’s crucial we acknowledge and respect our pets’ emotional needs during times of loss. Our dogs give us unconditional love and loyalty – the least we can do is support them through their grief when they lose someone they love.
Final Thoughts
Dogs’ capacity for grief reminds us of the depth of the human-canine bond. While it’s heartbreaking to think of our faithful friends mourning our absence, there’s also something beautiful about this testament to the love between species.
If you’re caring for a grieving dog, remember that time, patience, and love are the best medicines. And if you’re worried about what might happen to your dog if something happened to you, consider making arrangements for their care as part of your estate planning.
Our four-legged family members may not understand death as we do, but they certainly understand love and loss. And in that understanding lies the true magic of the bond we share with them.
Have you witnessed your dog grieving? How did you help them through it? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below.
What are the signs of mourning?
When a dog loses a companion, whether animal or human, he grieves and reacts to the changes in his life. Dogs alter their behavior when they mourn, much like people do.
- They may become depressed and listless.
- They may have a decreased appetite and decline to play.
- They may sleep more than usual and move more slowly, sulking around.
Pet owners recognize these changes in daily behavior as the same ones that grieving humans often exhibit. The common denominator in human or canine grief is the loss of a central individual (animal or human) along with the associated bond.
Skeptics suggest that dogs don’t really grieve and attribute their behavioral changes to the alterations in daily routine resulting from the absence of an integral figure in the dog’s life. In other words, the dog is “upset” because his schedule is off. With the loss of a companion dog, perhaps the surviving dog misses canine interaction and play time. With the loss of a human companion, perhaps feeding and walking schedules are changed as the new caregiver takes charge.
Since a dog may not understand death as something permanent, sometimes they will wait patiently, believing that the deceased will return. Others suggest that the dog may just be reacting to the grief exhibited by humans in the house as they deal with the death of a family member.
Do dogs have emotions?
It is difficult to assess what those mournful eyes mean because our canine friends cannot tell us what they are feeling. Even though dogs do not verbalize that they are happy or sad, astute pet owners interpret their pets’ emotions based on behavior. With these interpretations in mind, it is commonly acknowledged that dogs do feel happiness, sadness, possessiveness and fear. They also get angry and nervous. And they do indeed mourn.
Pet loss grief; the pain explained | Sarah Hoggan DVM | TEDxTemecula
FAQ
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… might not understand the full extent of human absence, dogs do understand the feeling of missing a human or dog who’s no longer a part of their daily lives.Nov 9, 2023
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