People grieve differently. Pets do too!
Other pets in the family may respond differently to the loss of a companion. A surviving pet may:
- Pace the house or search for their missing friend
- Refuse to eat or drink
- Act listless and depressed
- Whimper or howl
- Change personality — an aloof pet may suddenly clamor for attention and affection or vice versa
Regardless of how your pet expresses their grief, you need to try to give them more attention and affection. Make a fuss over your pet when you get home from work; you may want to leave a television or radio on for company while you are at work. Spend extra time playing, or walking, or going to the park. Over time, your surviving pet will adjust to the new routine.
It may be hard to give the extra attention to a surviving pet when you, too, are grieving. Try not to shut out your remaining pet or pets at this time; they need your love now more than ever.
Look to your family and friends for help and support — both for yourself and for your grieving pet. You may also want to attend a pet bereavement group. After my Miko died in 2003, I went to a group run by the shelter where I got my new dog, Lally. What I especially liked about the shelter group was that other pets were also welcome to attend. The group was a place to share experiences and expectations. We could laugh, cry, show pictures, and learn about the grieving process.
If there isn’t a group in your immediate area, you do have other options. There are twenty-four hour hotlines you can call to find a sympathetic ear, or online communities and forums where you can share your thoughts and feelings. You don’t have to hold in your feelings! Reminiscing about a lost pet can be an important part of the healing process.
Read more at Families.com: