According to experts, just like us, dogs and cats can also feel sadness from the death of a loved one.
“The visible expression of grief is widespread in the animal kingdom,” said Barbara J. King, author of How Animals Grieve, to Stacker. “A cat cries in visible pain after the death of its sister; a dog stops playing and eats poorly when its dog companion dies.”
What are the signs of grief in pets?
All experts broadly agree that grieving animals often show the same symptoms: lethargy, increased vocalization, and changes in appetite.
“It is also possible that the surviving animal will look for the other pet in the house,” said Dr. Carly Fox, senior veterinarian at the Emergency and Critical Care Unit of the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center.
“They may also display calming behaviors, such as excessively licking or sucking on a stuffed animal or becoming unusually attached to their owner.”
How can I help a grieving pet?
To help ease your pet’s pain, Jennifer Vonk, a psychologist specializing in animal cognition, suggests that making extra effort to engage with them is crucial.
“Whether it’s a play session, taking your dog to the park, or simply spending time with your cat on the couch,” she told Stacker, adding that pet owners should “allow [their pets] to sniff the beds where the deceased animal was.”
According to her, having that scent around can be comforting for the animal. Fox also recommended maintaining a normal routine so that the surviving animals feel more comfortable with a predictable schedule. Additionally, enrichment activities can also benefit pets.
“For me, it’s truly comforting to know that humans aren’t the only animals that [grieve]. We are not alone in our highs and lows because we are surrounded by other animals that also have them,” King added.
“This doesn’t mean that the suffering of animals is exactly like ours, but it means we shouldn’t keep ourselves apart as somehow exceptional in feeling deeply.”
Photo and video: Unsplash. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
