Do dogs grieve our pets the same way we do? An expert explains

Losing a pet is a kind of pain that you simply can't fathom until you've experienced it.

But what can make that pain even deeper is having two pets, and having to watch one try to comprehend the fact that their companion isn't around anymore.

It's always obvious that they feel something, but is it grief for the loss of their friend? Or are they simply confused as to where they went?

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According to companion animal death doula and certified trainer Kate LaSala, the answer is quite complicated.

"Animals can and do grieve. We see it in the wild often – elephants, dolphins, and wolves, just to name a few," LaSala told the publication Scary Mommy.

"When any family member, human or animal, dies or becomes ill, everyone is aware of it."

She added that since dogs have such a strong sense of smell, they are often aware of illnesses or changes within their companions before we even know something is wrong.

Often when we convince ourselves that our dogs are grieving their friend, it is us pushing our own emotions onto our pets.

But while dogs may not grieve the same way we do, they do understand the concept of death.

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"This is one reason I recommend at-home euthanasia. Dogs understand death, but they don't understand disappearance," LaSala explained.

"So, if a companion is taken to the vet's office to be euthanised and the resident pets don't have a chance to see and smell the body, they're left searching for their housemate."

So when you see your pet searching the yard and wandering around seemingly looking for their companion, it's more likely confusion that they're feeling rather than grief, which is arguably just as bad.

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However, LaSala highlighted that it's very important to keep in mind that "very little" research has been done on the topic.

"Dogs are also very attuned to routines and our own emotions, so what we label grief in dogs may be the changes in the household that occur when a pet dies," she said.

"The humans are upset and emotional from the loss, so routines often change, and these things can be upsetting for the remaining dog and may manifest as looking like grief."

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