My dog is lonely after losing his friend. Should I get another dog?

Yes dogs can grieve and get lonely. Most dogs enjoy having company so getting another dog could be a good idea if you have the time and energy for another dog. You may consider a rescue dog, that way you can try them together and make sure Rosie likes the new dog and they get along. Young puppies can be very annoying to a grown dog and Rosie may not adjust well especially as you will need to spend more time with a puppy and may inadvertently neglect giving Rosie the time with you that she needs. Fostering a dog also is a good option as you can help a dog in need and if it's not a good fit for you and Rosie it will leave when it finds the right home. Many people keep the foster dog after they get to know them and they settle into the home. A puppy can be a good solution too if done right and it would certainly get Rosie up and playing again! I do think getting Rosie a companion is a good idea as she sounds like she needs one. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Rosie.

I'm so sorry you are facing this situation! How horrible to lose a beloved dog but to also have to worry about Bentley at the same time. Given that he does better with another animal, yes I would get another dog for the home. It's fine to get a smaller dog, and while it doesn't make a difference if you get a boy or a girl, I would make sure the dog is eventually neutered or spayed as soon as it's old enough. It might be a good idea to get one now so the transition for Bentley isn't as difficult when he loses his companion. I hope this helps!

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Great question. I think this depends on how well they all get along. If you screen the new dog properly and do a meet and greet, and they all end up being great companions, I think it's a great idea and shows you are thinking ahead. A death of a companion can be very devastating not only for humans but for the other pets in the house. Having another pet around would hopefully distract from and provide some relief when one of your other dogs passes. I think if you are ready for another dog and are willing to take on the financial aspect of it, it's a great idea. Best of luck with you and I hope you have many good years left with all of them.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am so sorry about the passing of your dog. You could consider getting Billy a new housemate as that may help him now. Otherwise, you can also consider taking him for walks frequently for him to see other people and other pups which may help. I hope he gets better!

I'm so sorry you recently lost two dogs. Please accept my condolences for your loss. I would look into getting a dog around a year old for Maya, or possibly two to three years of age. This way, the dog would be fully vaccinated and house trained. It also wouldn't be as active as a puppy, but could still play with her. The dog should also be spayed or neutered. You can have either a male or female, I personally like having an even ratio of male to female, so I'd recommend a male dog. Breed, you could do something like a lab or Golden Retriever. Those are great dogs who get along with other dogs really well. I hope this helps.

I'm so very sorry to hear that you lost Tiny's companion. It can be very difficult for dogs to understand the loss of another pet. Unfortunately, we go not have great options for treatment, but sometimes we will try anti-anxiety medications, so you can certainly talk to your veterinarian about that. The only other thing that I have tried successfully are Bach Flower Essences. The most common is Rescue Remedy, but you can also do a custom formulation. I am attaching more information about that below. http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pet/ Good luck! I hope that was helpful and gives you some ideas. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Hi. Yes, just like people, pets can become depressed for a period of time after a loss or change. Getting another pet is totally a personal decision. If that's what she has been used to, it is definitely an option. If you aren't ready, or not wanting another pet, she will adjust.