Helping your other animals cope with the loss of their friend..

Do you ever wonder if pets grieve? Do you have other animals in the house and wonder how they will deal with the loss of their companion? This article will hopefully help you understand what to expect to see with the other animals in the house and how to make the transition easier for them.

The good news is that while animals do grieve they do it in a much healthier way then most humans.. Animals do not have a psychological fear of dying. They do not fear what happens after death, whether there is heaven or hell, reincarnation, or simply nothing. They live in the present and do not suffer from regret or guilt like the average human. When multiple animals live in a household it is a lot like a human family. There will be some individuals that are closer then others. The closer the two individual animals are the more likely that the surviving pet will grieve. You may notice a change in eating or sleeping patterns or the pet may retreat into solitude or be extremely clingy. Some pets seem not to grieve at all and rather go about life as if nothing has changed. It is important to remember that each pet, just like each human, will have their own unique way of dealing with the loss and there is no right or wrong way. It may be tempting to add another pet into the household immediately, and in some cases this seems to work, however there are more times when it does not. Highly dominant or socially introverted animals tend to need more time to come to terms with their new status, and can need a month or longer before a new companion is introduced. Consider instead spending extra time with your surviving pet and being more affectionate to them. Animals can feed off human emotion, and if they sense sadness they may need more assurance. Include them more in your every day routine if you are able, even if it is just talking to them about what you are doing. When you leave the house consider leaving music on or hide treats all over the house for them to find. Make sure they are getting enough exercise and monitor their food intake. If your surviving pet shows severe or persistent symptoms please have them evaluated with your primary veterinarian to rule out an underlying medical problem.

Another question I get asked frequently by families is what to do with the other pets during the actual euthanasia process. For the most part the other animals should be allowed to be there IF they want to, and if they are not being disruptive to the patient or interfering with the owners ability to focus on their own feelings. Some animals will remain close and watch with quiet interest, while others keep a watchful eye from across the room. A few may become anxious and actually leave the room completely or chose to go in and out. The most important aspect to remember is if they do not wish to be present do not force them. This also applies with visiting the body after euthanasia. It is important to give every companion pet the opportunity to visit with the body if they chose to do so, however it is very important not to force them. Some families have a preconceived notion that the remaining pet has to actually smell the deceased pet to know that they are gone but this is not true. It is important to let the pet say goodbye in their own way. Some pets will lay beside their friend or attempt to cover them with a blanket. Whining, vocalizing, or even pawing at the body in an attempt to wake the deceased up is not uncommon. Still other pets do not show any emotion and even step all over the body like it is not there. This behavioral does not mean they did not care about their friend, rather animals have keen senses and usually are aware that their companion is ill usually before even the family realizes something is wrong. Looking back you may have noticed behavioral changes such as a change in the pack status or guarding of the sick pet. Since animals have such an uncanny ability to sense sickness, death to them is a natural progression and therefore expected. In the end just remember to allow both yourself and your other pets the time to grieve.