Is my senior dog grieving or lonely after losing her companion?

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

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!

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. Dogs and cats definitely grieve for other animals. If any of Luna's behaviors are concerning or are not resolving with time, I have had luck with a Bach Flower Essence called Rescue Remedy or a custom compounded blend for grief. http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pet/ I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

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.

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.

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 for the loss of your dog! Dogs absolutely go through a grieving process when they lose a friend just as we do. However, I am concerned that she began acting differently before her brother passed away. By 16 years old, dogs can develop cognitive dysfunction (similar to dementia in humans), but other medical issues could be causing her behavioral changes and urinary accidents. Some of these possible issues include organ dysfunction (kidney or liver disease), endocrine/metabolic conditions (diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease), a urinary tract infection or even cancer. At this point, it does sound as though she should go to the vet for an exam and any necessary lab testing. She may need medications or a diet change to manage any underlying issues. I hope that all goes well and again, I'm very sorry for your loss!