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 How to Help Other Pets Cope with the Death of a Pet  
Pets also feel the loss of other pets in their midst as humans do. Even though not exactly the same way as humans, they also feel a deep sense of loss when another pet dies. You may need to give your surviving pets a lot of extra attention and love.

By Ivan Wong

I agree that pets are not as intelligent as humans are, however, pets are sensitive to any changes in the household, and will soon notice that something is different when another pet is gone.

Pets cannot see, think, or feel exactly the same way as humans, even though they exhibit certain tendencies that might indicate certain feelings as humans.

I agree with these and other facts about pets and humans.

However, the truth also needs to be told.

Pets also feel the loss of other pets in their midst as humans do. Even though not exactly the same way as humans, they also feel a deep sense of loss when another pet dies.

You may need to give your surviving pets a lot of extra attention and love to help them through this period. Remember that if you are going to introduce a new pet, your surviving pets may not accept the newcomer right away, but new bonds will grow in time. Meanwhile, the love of your surviving pets can be wonderfully healing for your own grief.

How do you tell that your pet is feeling the loss of the other pet that dies?

  • Look at your pets (or pet) critically and observe behavior after the death of another pet that was very close to it.

  • Does it still eat as much and as happily as it did when the other pet was still alive?

  • Does it still play with you and run around the house the same way it used to before the other pet died?

  • Does it sit somewhat sadly most of the time, refusing to move around as happily and joyfully as it used to?

  • If the surviving pet is a dog, does it howl uncontrollably most of the time, for no apparent reason?

    Any changes are signs that your pet is mourning the loss of the other pet. In other words, it is grieving.

    What can you do when this happens?

    Firstly, it is important to take care of yourself first, and to let yourself go through the grieving process of losing a pet close to your heart. If necessary, pet loss group sessions at your local help center can be very helpful.

    Below are some simple but highly effective guidelines on how to deal with the problem of a pet or dog grieving after the loss of its fellow pet:

  • First, get help from experts who have proven experience dealing with such problems. Tell them exactly how your pet or dog is behaving - whether it eats, plays, sleeps, etc. or not.

  • Second, do everything within your power to get your pet's mind away from the situation at hand. If it loves being taken out, then take it out for a walk or a ride. It is a good opportunity to meet with other pets and this can help ease its grief over the loss of the dead pet. If it enjoys this outing, then do it again the next day and the next day, until it now has something to look forward to daily.

  • Third, you can add another pet or dog as a way of giving it a replacement for its dead companion. Of course, it will take some time for it to get used to this other pet, but eventually it will. It is just a matter of time. Time heals all wounds - even in animals.

    Finally, get closer to your pet and try to get it to forget the death of the other pet as quickly as possible. If you are not used to playing with it, you should start doing so. Make it feel well loved and cherished by you, and it will feel better and forget the previous pet quicker than you thought.

    About the Author:

    Ivan is a dog owner and webmaster of www.Pet-Loss-Help.com. Article Source: Eulogy Site - http://EulogySite.com

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    •   Article added 03/16/08.


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