Losing a pet is an emotional experience that is difficult to understand until you’ve lived through it. When a second pet is involved, the situation becomes even more complex, as the surviving animal struggles to understand the absence of their companion.
While it’s clear that dogs feel the loss of a fellow pet, the question remains: do they grieve in the same way humans do, or are they simply confused?
Kate LaSala, a certified trainer and companion animal death doula, offers insight into the subject. “Animals can and do grieve,” LaSala shared with Scary Mommy. “This is evident in species such as elephants, dolphins, and wolves, where the impact of a death is recognized by the group.”
LaSala explains that dogs, with their powerful sense of smell, are often aware of changes in their companions long before humans notice any signs of illness. However, she also points out that what we perceive as grief may often be our own emotions projected onto our pets.
Dogs may not experience grief in the same way humans do, but they do understand the concept of death. LaSala advises that this is one reason why at-home euthanasia is beneficial for pets. “Dogs understand death, but they don’t understand disappearance,” she explained. If a pet is taken to the vet for euthanasia without the other pets having the opportunity to see and smell the body, the surviving animals are often left searching for their companion, which could be interpreted as confusion rather than grief.
When dogs wander around or search for a lost companion, it is often a sign of this confusion, as they try to make sense of the absence. LaSala stresses, however, that there is very little research on this topic, making it a challenging area to fully understand.
“Dogs are highly attuned to routines and their owners’ emotions,” she said. “What we label as grief could simply be the changes in the household environment after a loss. The humans are upset, routines shift, and the surviving dog may react to these changes in a way that appears as grief.”
Ultimately, while dogs may not grieve in the same way humans do, they do have their own emotional responses to loss, often shaped by their bond with their companions and the changes in their environment.