Dogs feel sad after their partner dies, study finds.
In households with more than one dog, the animals often share toys, food, beds, and attention, so when a dog dies, it can be difficult for the surviving pet to cope, leading to a period of mourning similar to that seen in humans.
Scientists conducted a survey of more than 400 Italian dog owners who had more than one pet and had recently lost one. On average, the dog has been with its owner for nearly 10 years, and the average age of the dog is 11 and a half years. The study, published in Scientific Reports, said that after another dog dies, surviving dogs often show some negative behavioral changes: increased attention seeking (67 percent), increased playfulness, Time spent less (57%), activity levels decreased (46%), sleeping time increased (35%), fear increased (35%), eating less (32%) and vocalization increased (30%). 1 in 4 sad dogs will be this way for more than 6 months, and a third will be acting weird between 2 and 6 months. Additionally, if two pets were friends, they were 30 percent more likely to show signs of sadness than if they had a bad relationship. The researchers added that strong affiliations in our study may have caused the pet dogs to blend in with each other in their daily lives, which may explain changes in the surviving dogs' behavior after a fatal event. We found that if the dog was accustomed to sharing food throughout its life, the surviving dog was more likely to reduce her/his activity level and sleep more after loss. Bill Lambert, director of health, welfare and breeding services at The Kennel Club, said giving a dog too much care, or possibly getting another dog, could help them recover from grief. Recover. He said all dogs are different and there are many factors that can influence how they react to the loss of a companion pet. If your dog's behavior changes, give them plenty of extra love and attention, make sure they spend limited time with you, and have enough mental stimulation to distract them. If your dog continues to show signs of sadness, you may want to consider adding a new puppy to your family. Dogs who have lived with another dog will surprisingly accept a new canine companion, but only if it fits your lifestyle and you're sure you have the time and resources to get a second dog will consider it. Two studies this week found that dogs have health benefits for people as they age, helping to keep them mentally and physically sharp.
