How to tell if your dog is grieving: common signs of pet sadness

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I am sure it is very difficult to be going through this. Dogs are emotional and can become distressed / sad when a loved one passes away. Unfortunately, it just takes time. There are some things you can try to help ease the stress for Sadie. I would recommend the below products and see if these help. I would also take her out more for walks and socialize her and consider taking her to the dog park as well to interact with other dogs. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. 1. Adaptil collar 2. NaturVet Quiet Moments Calm Chews with Melatonin 3. Plenty of toys to play with

I'm so sorry for your loss! Pets grieve, just as we do. Try to keep your dog's daily routine as normal as possible, while giving your dog some extra attention and exercise as a distraction. Ultimately, grief takes time to process for our four legged friends, just as it does for us.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dogs. I am sorry to hear about your recent loss. The other dogs sound like are still grieving the loss. However, it would be a good idea to have them seen by their veterinarian to ensure there is not another issue. If they are not eating or drinking, then they should be seen right away. Otherwise, you can monitor them for a bit longer. Dogs really do seem to mourn the loss of a companion and ot can affect them in different ways. I hope this information helps.

Thank you for the update. I am so sorry about your baby girl. The grief process can vary between dogs. It could be days or it could be months. What you are doing so far with Haden is great. Basically, continue with your daily routine so the rest of his life doesn't change. Dogs can also sense our grief so his sadness may improve when yours does. Again, it all takes time. We at Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach are sending lots of kisses to Haden and hugs to you!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Bean. I am sorry to hear about your recent loss. It sounds like Bean is grieving the loss as well. She should start acting more normal soon, but if her behavior persists she will need to see her veterinarian. If she is not anything, vomiting or displaying other abnormal signs, she should be seen soon. If her appetite is just decreased then you can give her another week or so. Be sure to encourage her to eat and drink as much as possible. You can try hand feeding her or adding warm water to her kibble. Sometimes warmed up canned food is enticing as well. Hope this information helps!

Hello, and thanks for your question. I'm sorry to hear that your older dog is likely nearing the end of her life, and it's great that you're thinking about Derek and how he may cope. In short, all dogs respond a little differently. Some go through a period of obvious mourning with a decreased appetite and lethargy, while others don't. Dogs are pretty resilient and flexible, and likely Derek will do ok, even if he needs some time to mourn and adjust to the changes without his buddy there. Just give him some extra love and attention, and provide some extra stimulation through bonding activities, such as play and walks. Usually within a week or two they start to adjust to the "new normal." Here's a link to some more information on helping a grieving pet: https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2015/09/19/helping-surviving-pet-deal-with-loss.aspx Or a book that might be helpful: From Sad to Glad: Helping Your Dog Survive a Loss by Phoebe Lauren I hope this helps. Hugs to you.

I'm so sorry that Ginny has lost her friend. That can be very hard for some dogs to deal with. Yes, it is normal, but sometimes the grieving process can continue for a period of time. If it contines, I have had luck with Bach Flower Essences. Rescue Remedy is a formulation that is easy to find, but sometimes owner will have custom combinations prepared as well. http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pets-bach-flower/ If Ginny is not eating or drinking normally, please contact your veterinarian. I hope Ginny (and you) are able to deal with your loss and that the new year brings you some relief and happiness.