Think about this, if dogs share the same basic needs eating, sleep and similar internal body make up like we do, is able to cry when in pain, feel happy when there is a cause to, then why wouldn’t they feel sad and grieve when there is cause to?

In every sense of the word, dogs do grieve. It is not unexpected for many to think that dogs don’t grieve considering them being an animal. Humans are not the only ones who are qualified to feel sad, happy, anxious, stress or love. As a matter of fact, dogs are capable of feeling a wide range of emotions, even thou it is slightly a fraction less of what humans could, and grieving over the loss of that person or pet who was once closed is one of them.

What Can I Do To Help My Dog Ease His Grieving Heart

Most importantly, do not fret about it too much for a start, that’s if. You have to wait for time to heal the heart of the grieving dog. Time heals all wounds for dogs just like in humans. Just like us some dogs heal within a few days or weeks, while some last for many months before they forget about the loss of their playmate or friend.

However, here are a few tips you could do or avoid to help ease your dog’s grieving heart.

• The best thing is to carry on with the surviving dog’s routine as normal. If you have more than one surviving dogs, allow them to work out a new hierarchy among themselves.

• Do not be tempted to clear out all the toys, leash, bowl, and bed belonging to the late dog right after it has been put to sleep. Do it a few days later. This is critical for those dogs that didn’t get the chance to see and scent the decreased dog. Give the survivor an opportunity to connect his thoughts and then to depart his feelings.

• For the following days and weeks, give the remaining dog(s) greater attention and care. Do everything you can to take the mind of your dog away from his object of worry. Going for a longer walk or engage him in activities that he normally loves to do. An increased activity with other dogs (i.e. neighbours’ or friends’ dogs) is almost always beneficial. 
   
• Perhaps the last thing you need right now are the potential problems that introducing a new pet into the equation may well bring. Not at least until a few weeks or months later.

The level of anxiety of a dog experiences during grieving varies from individual dog’s personality. Research has shown that dogs with low levels of serotonin (a neurotransmitter linked with mood enhancement) are likely to suffer depression a little more than alpha dogs. Although dog does not moan aloud for his loss of that special someone, but he could definitely feel the sense of loneliness when he has to stay, play, sit, eat alone; and gradually these activities will be manifested in his behaviour.

Lets take a look at some of the behavioural signs when dogs grieve

All these are signs of a dog grieving silently over his loss. If the dog isn't really sure whether the other one died or not, it could be hoping that the other dog will return. In this case, whenever possible let the survivor dog see and scent the body of

• Refuse to eat, eat less or more than usual.
• Sleep more than usual or not sleeping where he used to sleep.
• Loss interest in things that he used to feel interested in.
• Stay aloof from you, family members or even your neighbours’’ dogs.
• Hide or stay silent most of the time.
• Seem lethargic.