Grieving

[Greer Griffith]

would like to ask Dr. LaFarge if it is possible to help a grieving animal? If a member of a household dies, how can the animal living in that household be helped through the loss of a human or even another animal?
G

[Dr. Stephanie LaFarge]

Dear G. This is a very important question. As owners we are very watchful for the well being of our other pets. It is normal for companion animals to greive for each other. They may search, cry,eat less for several days. These behaviors are normal and you can help by provide extra attention but try not to interfer with their searching or crying. It is their way of grieving . If after several days your pet does not seem OK, consult your vet in case there is another problem that has occured coincidentally. Nature has provided all animals with the capacity to grieve and recover. It is especially helpful if the remaining pets can see the dead body of the animal that has died. Animsl understand death and know to move on. Their lives in the wild depend on that. Since you are also grieving it is come times the case that we confuse our distress with that of the pets. Your pet may be slightly distress by your change in behavior so it is good to do things that were normal lilke taking walks with the dog or time with the cat.