Anyone who has ever lost a dog knows it’s one of the most gut-wrenching experiences. When a dog passes away, you’re not just losing a pet; you’re losing a true friend. It’s a heartbreaker that goes far beyond the surface. You lose a companion who has walked every mile of your life with you—someone who has quietly observed your struggles, celebrated your joys, and, yes, even mopped up the tears that may have fallen on the floor. For those who aren’t “dog people,” it can be hard to understand the depth of this bond. But for those of us lucky enough to share our lives with a dog, we grasp the reality that saying goodbye is simply heartbreaking. The grief can feel heavier still when there’s another dog at home also wrestling with the loss. This begs the big question: Do dogs really grieve for their companions, and, if so, how deeply do they feel it?
Not long ago, my family’s beloved dog, Jaws, passed away, and it has left our household in emotional turmoil. After sharing over a decade of love and laughter with him, figuring out how to move forward feels incredibly disorienting. There are nights when I wake up around 2 AM, still half-convinced that I can hear him barking to be let out—he did love his late-night bathroom breaks. There are moments when I instinctively go to step over the landing area of the stairs, expecting him to be curled up there, as he often was. Our other dog, Mako, seems to be feeling the absence just as strongly.
Each time we let Mako into the yard, she races around, searching every corner for Jaws. When she returns inside, she plops herself down by the door, glancing back and forth between us and outside, as if she’s waiting for him to come barging back in. For a while, I noticed her whining more at night, and recently, she has started sleeping in Jaws’s favorite spot. It’s easy to see Mako’s behavior and conclude she’s grieving, but I was curious about the science behind dog grief. Do dogs truly understand loss, or is my perception merely a reflection of my own emotions? To find answers, I turned to animal behavior experts.
So, what do professionals say about whether dogs truly “grieve”? According to Kate LaSala, a companion animal death doula and certified trainer, animals absolutely do grieve. She notes that we often witness grief in the wild among species like elephants, dolphins, and wolves, which further attests to the emotional depth found in animals. “When a family member, be it human or animal, passes away or falls ill, the rest of the family tends to pick up on it. In fact, dogs’ incredible sense of smell usually means they’re aware long before we are,” she explains.
LaSala adds that a dog’s reaction can become heightened if they weren’t able to be there during the passing of their companion. This is one of the reasons she advocates for at-home euthanasia. “Dogs understand the concept of death; however, they don’t grasp the idea of disappearance,” she says. “If a dog is taken to the vet for euthanasia and the remaining pets have no chance to see or smell them, they’re left looking for their friend, not understanding why they’re gone.”
This perspective closely mirrors what I see in Mako’s behavior, but LaSala does caution that humans may sometimes read too much into a dog’s emotional reaction. “There’s limited research on this topic, and we may end up anthropomorphizing—projecting our feelings onto them. Additionally, dogs are highly attuned to changes in their routine and the emotions of their human companions. So, what we interpret as a display of grief could also stem from the changes happening within the household after a pet’s passing.”
If you find yourself wondering how to recognize if your dog is grieving or struggling to adjust, Alexandra Bassett, a lead dog trainer and behavior consultant at Dog Savvy, emphasizes that there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for canine grief. Just like us humans, every dog copes differently. However, she does identify some common signs that may indicate your dog is struggling:
- Loss of appetite or a total disinterest in activities they once enjoyed.
- A noticeable withdrawal or lethargy that wasn’t present before.
- Searching around the house for their lost friend or sitting by doors, waiting for their return.
- Uncharacteristic vocalizations, such as increased whining or barking.
If your dog exhibits these behaviors after losing a companion, it’s important to remember that they need time to adjust, just as you do. “Like us, dogs may require grace to acclimate to their new reality. They might benefit from extra attention, going on longer walks, experiencing hikes, or even interacting socially with other dogs,” Bassett suggests. She also highlights that it’s crucial to assess the severity and duration of their grief. If you notice signs that seem excessively prolonged—lasting more than a few weeks—it can be beneficial to consult a professional dog trainer or veterinarian who can provide support.
You may be wondering how you can help your remaining dog during this trying time. If you’re looking to better understand and help your pet, I highly recommend picking up a couple of insightful books: How Animals Grieve by Barbara King and Playing Possum: How Animals Understand Death by Susana Monsó.
Of course, nothing replaces the healing power of simply spending time with your surviving dog after such a loss. This experience is as much about mending your own heart as it is about comforting your furry friend. While we may never fully comprehend what runs through their minds when they lose a housemate, we can safely assume that a few extra snuggles won’t go to waste. After all, love is the best antidote for our collective grief.
Image Source: Julia Zavalishina / Shutterstock
