<\/a><\/p>\n

Pets are emotional creatures who react to losses and changes just like humans and yes, they grieve. If their friend suddenly doesn\u2019t come home, pets can become confused and even depressed. A pet that loses a companion may suddenly stop eating as they grieve the loss. They may look around constantly for their buddy and even try to wander away from home. This is true whether their companion is a human or another animal.<\/p>\n

Recently in the news<\/a>, a dog went his former owner\u2019s funeral\u00a0 after his behavior made his new care giver realize he needed the same closure as a human does when losing someone close to them. How can we help our furry friends when they lose someone important to them? Here are eight ways to help your pet through the grieving process.<\/p>\n

1. Don\u2019t reinforce negative behavior
\nA pet who whines and cries at the door, for example, shouldn\u2019t be comforted, even though that is our first instinct. To the pet, they are being rewarded for that behavior. Allow them to have their cry, but don\u2019t encourage it to continue. Comfort the pet at other times such as when they are quiet.<\/p>\n

2. Pay attention to routine
\nGive your pet more attention than usual and make sure they get their regular walks or play time. Don\u2019t project your own grief on your pet; they may have a delayed reaction or no reaction to losing their friend. Every pet is different. Keep to regular feeding and exercise routines at the same time each day.<\/p>\n

3. Look for altered pecking order
\nIf you have more than one pet, they may change their relationship to see who is now dominant after an owner or another pet dies. Watch for eating aggression or who gets the \u201cbest\u201d spot on the window seat or sofa. There may be an increase in barking or less play and more tussling. While normal, it is best not to reinforce negative behavior.<\/p>\n

4. Watch for separation anxiety
\nIf your pet is home alone for the first time, they may become anxious. Try a new toy or more walks in the middle of the day to reassure your pet and keep them busy. Remember that every pet is different; treat hiding toys or white noise may work for some pets and not for others. Experiment with ways to soothe and occupy your pet and reward them for good behavior.<\/p>\n

5. Keep an eye on health
\nHumans react to grief with physical symptoms on occasion and so do some pets. Your pet may be more tired or less hungry than usual or may not want to play. Follow your instinct in knowing your pet with these behaviors. If they continue or prove harmful to your pet, see your vet for care and advice.<\/p>\n

6. Don\u2019t smother
\nYou may become over protective after losing a loved one yourself, whether pet or human. Don\u2019t hold your surviving pet too close and over protect them. Allow your pet the same freedom as they used to enjoy at the dog park and in the back yard.<\/p>\n

7. Don\u2019t ignore
\nIn the opposite direction, don\u2019t lose your bond with your surviving pet in fear of losing them too. If you find yourself keeping your distance from your remaining pet or pets, ask a family member or friend to help. If a grieving pet isn\u2019t getting love from you, they may act out with bad behavior.<\/p>\n

8. Allow some time
\nDon\u2019t assume that adding to your pet family right away will replace the lost pet or owner in your surviving pet\u2019s eyes and heart. Give your pet and yourself time to deal with grief in your own ways.<\/p>\n

Overall, keep the surroundings and routine familiar and safe to your surviving pet. Give them space to grieve naturally and to change the social order in the house after loss. Don\u2019t reward bad behavior or assume that your pet is grieving at all. Use your instincts and bond with your pet to determine if they need professional care after a loss.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pets are emotional creatures who react to losses and changes just like humans and yes, they grieve. If their friend suddenly doesn\u2019t come home, pets can become confused and even depressed. A pet that loses a companion may suddenly stop eating as they grieve the loss. They may look around constantly for their buddy and even try to wander away from home. This is true whether their companion is a human or another animal. Recently in the news, a dog went his former owner\u2019s funeral\u00a0 after his behavior made his new care giver realize he needed the same closure as <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28064,"featured_media":11004,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4046],"tags":[2550],"yoast_head":"\n