Study: Dogs Mourn Loss of Other Dogs

While the loss of a pet can have a profound impact on its owners, it can also affect other pets in the house, a new study reveals.

The University of Milan study, released Thursday, found that dogs display behavioral changes similar to humans after losing canine companions. “Overall, dogs were reported to play and eat less, sleep more and seek more for owners’ attention,” says the study’s lead author, Dr. Federica Pirrone. She notes the level of grief displayed by dogs isn’t dependent on their attachment to their owners, suggesting they’re not merely projecting their owners’ grief.

Given the study’s findings, Pirrone recommends that pet owners help their pooches cope with the death of another dog. “Dogs are highly emotional animals who develop very close bonds with the members of the familiar group,” she says. “This means that they may be highly distressed if one of them dies and efforts should be made to help them cope with this distress.”