Do dogs miss a dog when it dies?

When a dog passes away, it can be heartbreaking for the other dogs in the household who have bonded with their furry friend. Dogs are pack animals and form close relationships within their family groups. When a pack member dies, the remaining dogs likely feel the loss and show signs of grief. However, it’s difficult to say definitively whether dogs “miss” another dog in the same way humans experience missing someone. Dogs live in the present and have a less complex understanding of death. But research suggests dogs do grieve and feel the absence of a bonded companion. How much and for how long dogs miss a deceased companion depends on factors like the strength of the bond, the personality of the dog, and how the absence is explained. With care and support from pet parents, dogs can come to terms with the passing of a housemate and return to healthy, happy lives.

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Do dogs understand death?

Dogs have a basic understanding of death and will recognize when a housemate is no longer present. However, their comprehension is limited compared to humans. Some key points about how dogs perceive death include:

Dogs lack an abstract concept of non-existence. They are not able to contemplate the notion that a deceased companion has permanently ceased to be.

Dogs live in the present. While they remember and recognize those they’ve bonded with, they do not have a sense of past and future in the same way humans do.
Dogs associate death with physical stillness and lack of responsiveness. When a dog dies, the remaining dogs will understand their friend does not move or interact anymore.
Dogs may persistently sniff, nudge or even bite at a deceased companion as if trying to stimulate a response.

If the body is not around for dogs to examine, they will be aware their friend is missing.

So while dogs recognize death on a basic level, they do not have an abstract understanding of it as permanent loss or non-existence. This influences how profoundly dogs can “miss” a deceased companion. However, it does not mean they do not grieve or feel the absence in some capacity.

Signs dogs are missing a deceased companion

When dogs lose a housemate they had a close bond with, they will show behavioral signs they are experiencing the absence of their friend. These may include:

Searching behavior – wandering through the house whining or repeatedly returning to spots the deceased dog spent time.
Decreased activity – loss of interest in play, walks, training or other activities the dogs did together.
Changes in sleep patterns – difficulty settling down or sleeping more than usual.

Loss of appetite – disinterest in food or treats.
Increased clinginess – following the pet parent or other dogs closely, wanting more affection.
Vocalizations – howling, whining or barking, especially when entering areas the missing dog spent time.

Anxiety – restlessness, agitation, reactivity or fearfulness.

These behaviors can persist anywhere from a few weeks to several months as the dog processes the loss and adapts to life without their companion. The strength of the bond is a major factor determining how profound the dog’s response is. Dogs who were closely attached and spent a great deal of time interacting with the deceased dog tend to show more pronounced signs of missing them. However, even dogs who were not strongly bonded may display milder versions of grief behaviors as they adjust to the change in their social group.

Coping with loss

While the grieving process takes time, there are ways pet parents can help a dog come to terms with losing a canine companion:

Maintain normal routines and schedules as much as possible. Consistency and predictability help create a sense of stability.
Spend extra focused time with the bereaved dog, providing affection and playing games or doing activities they enjoy.
Avoid overwhelming the dog, but gently encourage them to continue with exercise, training, play and other sources of enrichment.

Consider anti-anxiety supplementation or medication if signs of stress or depression persist beyond a few weeks.
Be patient and allow the dog to progress through grief at their own pace. Don’t force them to “get over it”.
If multiple dogs are grieving, give them time together but also make time for individual attention.

Introducing a new dog at the appropriate time can help lift a dog’s spirits, but the bonding and introduction process should be gradual.

Pet parents also need to process their own sadness and talk to their veterinarian if the loss is severely impacting households with multiple pets. With compassion and support, dogs can begin to adapt and function normally again within a few months of losing a companion.

Personality and age factors

Just as individual people cope with loss differently, some dogs seem more profoundly affected by the passing of a companion than others. Personality plays a large role.

Dogs most impacted by another dog’s death tend to:

Be more closely bonded with the deceased dog due to long, positive interactions.
Have greater dependence on their canine housemates for security and comfort.

Display more sensitivity and reactivity to environmental changes in general.
Be younger, aged 1-5 years old. Younger dogs seem more affected than elderly dogs.
Have a background involving change or instability, such as rehoming.

Conversely, dogs who cope more readily with loss typically:

Are more independent by nature and less reliant on dog-dog bonds.
Are confident explorers less distressed by change.

Are mature adults over age 7 who have experienced some amount of transition.
Have backgrounds of consistency rather than frequent rehoming.
Had only short-term or mild relationships with the deceased dog.

Knowing a dog’s personality can guide expectations of how they will respond. Milder forms of grief are normal, while extreme changes in behavior or prolonged depression warrant a veterinary visit.

The benefits of dog-dog bonds

While losing a beloved companion brings sadness, the upside is that the dog experienced the joys and perks of dog-dog friendship beforehand. Scientific research shows dog-dog bonds have measurable benefits.

Benefit	Explanation
Decreased stress	Lower cortisol levels detected when in contact with housemate dogs.
Increased well-being	Higher oxytocin, dopamine and endorphin levels facilitate positive emotions.
Security	Dogs feel safer and worry less with a canine cohort present.
Cognitive stimulation	Inter-dog play and activities build mental acuity over time.
Physical health	Shared doggie activities and exercise improve strength, fitness and cardiovascular function.

The health and wellness boosts dogs gain from interacting with housemates can improve quality of life for many years. Ensuring regular contact with other dogs, even after a companion dies, will allow these benefits to continue.

Facilitating new bonds

Forming relationships with new dogs can help fill the void left by the passing of a companion. However, adequate time to grieve should be allowed before introductions. Rushing the process can cause setbacks. Some general guidelines on when and how to transition a bereaved dog to new friendships:

Timeframe: Wait at least 3-4 months before starting introductions to potential new housemates.
Setting: Use neutral environments like parks at first, instead of home turf where grief is fresher.

Style: Try casual meetings before formal co-living arrangements. Let relationships develop slowly.
Supervision: Always monitor initial interactions in case of tension or anxiety. As bonds solidify, dogs can be left together unsupervised.
Patience: Not all dogs will become best friends. They may only tolerate one another, and that’s okay.

With care not to overwhelm them, most bereaved dogs will eventually welcome a new companion into their lives. This helps restore their natural social fulfillment.

Coping with the loss of multiple dogs

When a multi-dog household loses one member, the impact is felt throughout the remaining pack. Surviving dogs often display stronger grief when a pair or trio is reduced to a single dog. The more profound the loss of social structure, the more destabilizing it can be. Ways to help multiple dogs cope when a housemate dies:

Provide each dog focused individual attention daily, such as walks, training sessions or play periods.

Spend extra time facilitating relationships between the remaining dogs. Engage them in tandem activities.
Monitor surviving dogs for signs of conflict as pack dynamics shift. Tension is common and may require mediation.
Temporarily increase reassuring routines and structures dogs can rely on, until they regain confidence.

Supply food puzzles, chew toys and bonding treats to distract and engage the dogs.
If extreme anxiety persists, anti-anxiety medication may help stabilize dogs as they transition.

Rebuilding a multi-dog household around a changed social structure requires patience and good management. But dogs are resilient, adaptable pack animals. With support from pet parents, they can create close bonds and adjust to a new normal.

When to be concerned about prolonged grief

It’s normal for dogs to be visibly saddened by the loss of a companion for several weeks. But persistently extreme responses beyond 2-3 months warrant discussion with a veterinarian. Signs prolonged or unhealthy grieving may be happening include:

Refusing food beyond a day or two, leading to weight loss.
Ongoing sleep issues like insomnia or sleeping 20+ hours a day.

Chronic loss of interest in any play, training, walks or interaction.
Excessive vocalization, especially repetitive howling and whining.
Severe anxiety causing property destruction or persistent elimination issues.

Aggression towards people or other pets in a previously friendly dog.
Self-injury or compulsive repetition of odd behaviors.

If a dog exhibits any of these intense symptoms for months on end, anti-anxiety medication or canine behavioral therapy may be required to improve their bereavement experience. Never hesitate to consult a vet if losing a companion seems to be spiraling a dog into a state of severe depression or dysfunction. Most bond-related sadness will resolve gradually given daily comfort and stability. But identifying the minority of dogs who need extra help to cope with devastating loss is important.

Conclusion

Losing a beloved canine companion is hard on surviving dogs, who feel the absence of a friend who brought security and joy to their daily lives. Dogs form close social bonds and go through an adjustment period when a pack member dies. Signs of sadness like appetite issues and behavior changes are normal for about 2-3 months following the loss. Patience and added affection from pet parents can help dogs through the grieving process. Maintaining health and enrichment routines helps stabilize bereaved dogs. In time, most canines will regain their usual happiness and form new bonds when the opportunity arises. Prioritizing dog-dog friendship enriches quality of life, so the sadness when it ends is proportional to the joy it once brought.