How do you help a dog cope with the loss of another dog?

Losing a household dog is an event that changes the daily life of every remaining family member, including other dogs. As a veterinarian and behavior consultant, I often see owners who want clear, practical guidance: how to comfort a bereaved dog, how to tell normal grieving apart from a problem, and when to call for help. This article lays out what grieving dogs commonly show, why those responses make sense biologically, and step-by-step things you can do now and over the weeks that follow to support recovery while protecting physical and emotional health.

The emotional ripple effect: how one loss affects dogs — and their people

Dogs form social bonds that are meaningful not only to owners but to the dogs themselves. When one member of a bonded pair or a multi-dog household dies or disappears, the change can reduce access to play partners, interrupt routines, and remove a source of comfort and structure. Owners often act because they want to preserve welfare, avoid long-term behavior problems, and honor the relationship the dogs had.

Common scenarios I see include: a long-term housemate dying suddenly (illness or accident), a senior dog passing after euthanasia, or a temporary separation that becomes permanent. Each presents different recovery needs. A young, well-socialized dog may show restlessness and appetite changes for days, while an older dog that was tightly bonded may show deeper withdrawal and medical decline.

Deciding whether to focus on grief support or routine medical care can be tricky. If the dog is eating, eliminating, and moving around, grief-focused comfort and predictable routine are often the first priorities. If you notice marked weight loss, dehydration, persistent vomiting, or collapse, those are medical issues that should take precedence; treat grief-support measures as adjuncts once medical stability is confirmed.

First steps you can take right away to comfort a grieving dog

• Provide gentle, consistent comfort: more calm proximity, short reassuring petting if the dog accepts it, and a reliable presence without forcing interaction.
• Keep core routines intact: same feeding times, walks, and bedtime; predictable structure reduces stress more than novelty comforts.
• Monitor closely: appetite, water intake, bathroom habits, sleep patterns, and interactions with people or other pets. Contact your veterinarian if basic functions decline or worrying signs appear.

These are actions you can start today. In the first 48–72 hours, focus on keeping things predictable and offering low-pressure opportunities for normal activity. If you have a fenced yard or secure space, brief extra sniff-walks are useful because scent exploration often helps dogs self-soothe. Escalate to veterinary or behaviorist help if the dog stops eating for more than 48 hours, shows severe lethargy, injures itself, or develops dangerous aggression.

Why dogs grieve: the purpose behind their behavior

Grief-like responses in dogs are likely linked to their social nature. Dogs form attachments through repeated positive interactions and cooperative routines; losing a companion removes those social inputs. This loss may reduce the behavioral cues and social scaffolding a dog used for regulation of activity, arousal, and emotional state.

Communication cues after a loss often include quieter body posture, lowered activity, changes in vocalization, and increased scent-marking or sniffing of the absent dog’s spaces and bedding. I typically see dogs using scent to try to re-establish a missing social presence—sniffing the bed, collar, or doorways where the deceased dog sat.

Biologically, acute stress responses such as raised cortisol or sympathetic activation may occur and are likely linked to appetite and sleep changes, gastrointestinal upset, and decreased immune resilience. These responses usually settle with time and consistent care, but prolonged stress may increase susceptibility to medical problems, which is why monitoring for red flags is important.

When grief typically appears and what usually triggers it

Onset and duration vary. Some dogs show immediate changes—sleeping more, decreased appetite, or increased clinginess within hours. Others have a delayed reaction that appears days to weeks later when a routine cue (a feeding spot, a favored walking route) reminds them the companion is gone. Short-term changes often resolve over days to a few weeks; persistent or worsening signs beyond 4–6 weeks warrant a formal assessment.

Age and temperament matter. A young, resilient dog may rebound quickly; a socially dependent or anxious dog may show prolonged disruption. Prior experiences with loss or separation may shape intensity: dogs that have lost multiple companions or experienced abrupt breakups may be more prone to chronic stress reactions.

Environmental triggers can repeatedly revive grief. A spot where the two dogs used to lie, the other dog’s bed or toys, meal prep locations, and even the sound of a particular door can prompt a return of searching or mournful behaviors. Expect these flare-ups and plan gentle desensitization rather than avoidance when possible.

Red flags to watch for — when grief becomes a medical or safety concern

Not all changes are grief alone. Immediate veterinary attention is needed for: prolonged anorexia (no interest in food for 48 hours), marked weight loss, signs of dehydration (sticky gums, reduced skin elasticity), persistent vomiting, or collapse. Also seek help for severe lethargy that prevents standing or moving.

Behavioral red flags that require intervention include escalating, unprovoked aggression toward people or other animals, repetitive self-injury (excessive licking causing sores), or new neurological signs such as seizures. If a dog’s behavior suddenly places them or others at risk, contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic promptly.

A practical owner checklist: what to do, day by day

1. Provide calm presence and predictable routine while avoiding pushing interaction.
2. Monitor basic functions—food, water, urination/defecation, activity—and keep a simple daily log for 1–2 weeks.
3. Offer low-effort enrichment: short sniff-walks, gentle play sessions, and food puzzles to encourage eating and mental engagement.
4. Support social needs carefully: allow the bereaved dog to choose closeness with people, and supervise any reintroduction to other dogs; don’t force play or new pairings too quickly.
5. If signs persist beyond 4–6 weeks, worsen, or meet red-flag criteria, contact your veterinarian for a health check and consider referral to a certified behaviorist for a behavior modification plan and possible medication if anxiety is severe.

In practice, the first step is low-contact support: sit nearby while the dog rests, offer treats at the usual times, and maintain leash walks. If appetite is low, warming food or offering hand-fed favored items for brief periods can encourage intake. When introducing new social opportunities, use short, supervised meetings in neutral spaces and watch body language closely—stiffness, lip-lifting, and hard staring are early signs of discomfort that mean you should pause.

Adjusting the home and training to support a mourning dog

Environment and training adjustments reduce stress and help re-establish confidence. Keep feeding, walking, and sleep schedules as regular as possible—predictability is calming. Create quiet rest areas with comfortable bedding and access to water, away from high-traffic zones if the dog seems withdrawn.

Introduce enrichment that lets the dog control pacing: lick mats, treat puzzles, and scent games where the dog can choose to engage. Training exercises that reward small wins—simple sit, target, or recall with high-value treats—rebuild confidence and the sense of control. Use short sessions several times a day rather than long, tiring lessons.

If specific cues trigger grief (a bed, a doorway), use gradual desensitization. Start by exposing the dog to the cue at a low intensity and pair it with something positive, increasing exposure slowly as tolerance builds. Avoid forcing extended exposure too soon, which can backfire and increase avoidance.

Comfort items and helpful gear that can soothe your pet

Some tools can ease stress without replacing social support. Calming pheromone diffusers and clinically approved anxiety wraps may help some dogs and are typically safe when used per instructions. Interactive feeders and treat puzzles encourage foraging behavior and distract from searching. Durable chew toys provide oral outlet and help reduce arousal. Keeping a blanket or item that smells like the lost companion can be comforting for dogs that use scent to orient socially; avoid items that trigger obsessive sniffing if that increases distress. Video monitors allow owners to observe nighttime behavior and check whether a dog is resting or showing worrying signs, and can reduce unnecessary interventions that disrupt sleep.

Thinking of a new companion? How to decide and when to wait

Deciding whether to bring another dog into the household is personal and timing matters. Rushing a new companion to “replace” the lost dog often complicates grief for both the bereaved dog and the newcomer. I typically advise waiting until the surviving dog shows steady recovery—regular eating, normal activity, and positive engagement with people—before introducing a new long-term partner. When you do introduce another dog, plan gradual, neutral-site meetings, supervise interactions closely, and prioritize compatibility in energy level and social style rather than trying to replicate the lost dog.

When grief persists: professional options and next steps

Persistent or worsening signs beyond the first month are a cue to act. Start with a veterinary exam to rule out medical contributors such as pain, endocrine issues, or gastrointestinal disease. If the vet rules out or treats medical causes and anxiety or depression-like behavior continues, a certified applied animal behaviorist or veterinary behaviorist can create a tailored plan that may include behavior modification, targeted training, and, when appropriate, short-term medication to reduce physiological stress and make learning new patterns possible.

Sources, expert input, and further reading

• Merck Veterinary Manual: “Separation Anxiety in Dogs” — Merck Vet Manual (clinical overview and management recommendations)
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): “Pet Loss and Grief Resources” — guidance for owners and links to veterinary and counseling services
• ASPCA: “Pet Loss and Companion Animal Grief” — practical owner-focused advice and support options
• Overall, K. L., Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats, 2013 — comprehensive clinical reference on canine behavior and treatment approaches
• Journal of Veterinary Behavior and Applied Animal Behaviour Science — peer-reviewed studies and reviews on companion animal social behavior, stress responses, and bereavement (see searches for “canine bereavement” and “companion animal loss”)