Dogs may be known as man’s best friend, but they can also form close bonds with members of their own species – and even grieve the death of their canine companions.
A 2022 study of 426 pet dogs found that following the death of a household dog, the surviving dog often exhibited behavior changes. Increased “attention seeking” topped the list, as well as lethargy, fearfulness, decreased appetite and more vocalization.
“Do dogs grieve the passing of another dog? Some do, but not all of them. For some, it’s like water off a duck’s back. It just changes the dynamic in the home,” says Nicholas Dodman, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, professor emeritus at Tufts University and co-founder and CEO of the nonprofit Center for Canine Behavior Studies. “But when there is a close bond, when the good buddy passes the (surviving) dog gets very low.”
