Do dogs grieve?

Updated 27/02/2024

Do dogs grieve? Do dogs know when another dog has died? To answer this, we need to understand what dog mourning is, how dogs grieve the loss of a loved one, and what we can do to be the best companion to them by recognizing how to help a grieving dog.

Grief is a natural part of life, but is it something dogs experience too? In truth, there aren’t a huge amount of journal scientific reports to backup whether our pooch pals go through the same stages of loss as us. However, by searching for any study published around grief in dogs, you will find hundreds of documented examples of behavioral changes in dogs after experiencing a death. Let’s delve into this further…

Signs of grief in dogs

A harsh reality to remember is dogs don’t experience life exactly as we do. But, as all canine carers know, dogs have an incredible ability to empathize and read emotions. Although every dog is different, here are some widely recognized grieving dog symptoms:

1. Dogs that experience grief can have a loss of appetite

Like humans, the feelings of loss and sadness can put our pooches off their food. If your fur angel is suddenly off their food or eating less, this could be a significant sign of grief to look out for.

2. Your grieving dog may change its sleep pattern

Like the loss of appetite, dogs experiencing grief will tend to, sleep excessively or develop insomnia or erratic sleep patterns. Having a dog with sleeping issues can be distressing and if you’re concerned be sure to call your local vet for advice.

3. Dog mourning and increased vocalization

Although this may be trickier to pick up on - especially for the canine carers of breeds like Huskies - a noticeable increase in whining, barking, or moaning can be a clear sign of distress in your dog. In the case of a human passing away, some owners have recorded their pooch howling at the front door as if waiting for them to come home.

4. Grief in dogs can lead to a lack of energy

Lethargy is something your dog could start to develop if there has been a recent loss. This could be displayed in a number of ways including a significant decrease in movement, reluctance to play or go for walks, as well as a lack of engagement with their humans.

5. A surviving dog can be a clingy dog

Often in the case of a family member or fellow pet passing away, your fur baby will seek solace and guidance from you, another family member, or another pet.

6. Aimless wandering is a normal part of the grieving process

One of the most upsetting signs of grief in dogs can be when they appear to be wandering around for no reason. It’s as if they don’t know what to do with themselves, or they are looking for the person or pet now gone from their lives.

Every dog is different and all grief is relative. Some pups may display other symptoms of grief through other unusual behaviors. If you’re concerned, contact your vet.

Do dogs know when another dog has died?

The tragic loss experienced when a dog dies will not go unnoticed by your pooch. If a once very present canine companion is suddenly missing, this will leave your pup confused at the change. Dogs are capable of forming strong social attachments and can recognize, and bond with, familiar people, dogs, and other pets. If a member of their household is suddenly absent this throws their world into disarray. When asking if dogs do grieve for other dogs, recognizing symptoms such as aimless wandering and lethargy are clear indicators of dog distress.

How to help a grieving dog

Like any period of mourning, your dog should be allowed to take the time it needs to process this huge change. However, as a pet parent, there are plenty of things you can do to help comfort your grieving dog:

1. Keep to their usual routine as much as possible

Dogs are creatures of habit and are happiest when we can keep to their daily schedule. Death is disruptive so be sure to try and keep to their normal feeding and walking times. If you too are experiencing grief, maintaining stability can be as equally beneficial to you as your fur baby.

2. Take them on extra walks

This is a healthy form of distraction of how to help a grieving dog. Fresh air, new smells, and exercise along one of their favorite routes will put your dog back into its comfort zone. If your dog is reluctant to exercise, gentle encouragement and plenty of praise should be used to entice them out. 

3. Be sure to give them lots of additional attention

As you would do with any suffering family member, be sure to remind them of how much they are loved and to make them feel safe. Cuddles and attention can go a long way.

4. Consider including a new dog companion

We are not recommending you to go out and adopt another dog. If you and your dog are grieving the loss of a loved one, it may be too soon to think about developing a new close bond. Instead, your pooch pal may benefit from spending more time with another dog friend. Think about including more dog social activities during the week, or opting for dog parks as part of your daily walk.

This is a heartbreaking topic, but it’s worth taking comfort in knowing the close bond you have with your favorite furry friend is real. If you or another member of their household unfortunately pass on, they will miss and grieve the loss of their companion. Make every day count with them so they can have as many happy memories as possible.

Meet our veterinary expert, Lizzie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lizzie Youens BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS. Lizzie graduated from the University of Bristol in 2011, and has been working in first opinion companion animal practice. She has worked in a variety of clinics across the UK, from large hospitals to small branch practices. She enjoys doing a mixture of medicine, surgery and emergency work. Lizzie currently works in a small rural practice where she enjoys working in a close-knit community.

To understand more about pooch problems and how they experience feelings, learn about dog emotions from this recent article of ours. For those keen to learn more about TrustedHousesitters, become part of our growing pet community and check out the latest list of dog sitters near you.