Do Dogs Grieve When Another Dog Dies? Signs and How to Help

Yes, dogs grieve when another dog dies. They may not understand death the way we do, but they notice the absence. The companion who shared their walks, meals, sleeping spot, and play is gone, and the house feels wrong to them in the same way it feels wrong to you. In a 2016 survey in the journal Animals, 74 percent of dogs changed how they sought affection after losing a companion. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, an ASPCA study found that over 60 percent of pets showed four or more behavioural changes after losing a companion.

Not every dog shows the same signs. The most common changes are:

A few dogs become withdrawn instead of clingy, and that is normal too. The key is the change from their usual self. The signs also depend on the dog. A senior dog who was already slowing down may simply sleep more, which is easy to miss. A young, high energy dog may become restless and destructive instead of quiet. And the bond matters: a dog who loses a littermate she has lived with since birth will usually change more than a dog who loses a housemate she merely tolerated. Watch your own dog against her normal self, not against a list, and trust what you see.

• Eating less, or more slowly, and sometimes refusing favourite foods. A New Zealand study found about 30 percent of grieving pets had a decreased appetite.
• Searching the house, checking the other dog's bed, and waiting by the door at the usual walk time.
• Sleeping more than usual, or sleeping in the other dog's spot.
• Losing interest in play, toys, and walks.
• Clinginess, following you from room to room and struggling when you leave. The New Zealand study found about 60 percent of dogs and cats clung more to their people.
• Whining, sighing, or barking more than usual, especially at times the other dog was active.
• Restlessness, pacing, or the opposite: lying flat and listless.

• Keep the routine steady. Same feeding times, same walk times, same bedtime. Routine is a dog's clock, and a familiar schedule is the most reassuring thing you can offer. VCA Animal Hospitals makes the same point: predictable mealtimes, exercise, and bedtimes help a grieving pet feel secure.
• Keep them moving, gently. Do not force long walks if your dog has no energy, but still go out. Short walks, a little play, and time outside help more than staying in. If the usual route is heavy with memories, try a new one for a while.
• Tempt the appetite, do not fight over it. Offer food at the usual times and take it away after twenty minutes if untouched. Warming the food slightly, adding wet food, or hand feeding a few bites can restart eating. If your dog eats almost nothing for more than two days, call your vet.
• Let them sniff and search. Do not wash the other dog's bed or hide their things on day one. Let your dog visit the empty bed, sniff it, and lie in it. Blocking off the places they are looking for does not spare them confusion.
• Offer gentle company, not constant fuss. Be present, sit nearby, and let your dog come to you. Extra cuddles are fine. But avoid rewarding every whine with treats or fuss, because that can teach your dog that whining is the way to get attention, and the habit can outlast the grief.
• Add small enrichment. A new toy, a puzzle feeder, a different route, or a short training game gives your dog something else to think about. Keep it light. The goal is a little spark of interest, not a full day of activity.
• Watch your own mood. Dogs read your body language closely, and if you are crying on the floor, your dog will worry. That does not mean hiding your grief. It means calm company at least some of the day: a steady voice, a normal walk, a hand on their back. You are grieving too. The guidance in how to cope with losing a dog applies to you just as much as this plan applies to them.

Keep the first week as boring as possible. Same food, same bowl, same walk times, same bedtime. Do not wash the other dog's bed or blanket yet, and do not move the furniture. Your dog is navigating by smell and habit, and every familiar thing is a landmark.

Feed at the usual times, even if she only picks at it. Go out for the usual walk, even if it is shorter than usual, and let her sniff as long as she likes. Play for a few minutes if she asks, and stop when she loses interest. Sit with her in the evening, the way you always did, and let her choose whether to lean against you or lie alone.

Change one thing at a time, and only when you must. If the usual walk route is too painful for you, try a new one, but keep the time the same. If you need to wash the bedding, wash one item and leave the rest. Small, steady days are what carry a grieving dog through the first week.

Not right away. A new dog does not replace the one who died, and your surviving dog needs time to adjust before meeting a stranger. Most vets suggest waiting a few months, until appetite, sleep, and play are back to normal. When you are ready, when to get another dog covers timing and choosing the right companion.