Dog Grieving Dog: The Science of Canine Mourning Explained
Do dogs grieve other dogs? Explore the science behind dog grieving dog behavior.
Do Dogs Grieve Other Dogs?
Yes — dogs do grieve the loss of a companion dog. Research published in Animals (2022) and supported by surveys from the ASPCA confirms that surviving dogs display measurable behavioral changes after the death of a household canine companion. These changes include reduced activity, altered eating patterns, increased clinginess toward owners, and vocalization. While canine grief doesn't mirror human mourning exactly, it is a real, scientifically documented response rooted in dogs' social bonding neurochemistry.
The Research Behind Dog Grieving Dog Behavior
For decades, the question of whether dogs experience grief was dismissed as anthropomorphism — owners projecting human emotions onto their pets. That changed as behavioral scientists began systematically studying post-loss behavior in multi-dog households.
Key Study: Federica Pirrone et al. (2022)
A landmark study published in the journal Animals, led by researcher Federica Pirrone at the University of Milan, surveyed 426 dog owners who had lost one dog while another survived. The findings were striking:
- 86% of surviving dogs exhibited at least two behavioral changes after the death of their companion
- 67% showed increased attention-seeking toward their owners
- 57% displayed reduced play behavior
- 46% showed decreased activity levels overall
- 35% exhibited changes in eating patterns (eating less or eating more)
- 30% increased vocalization (whining, howling, barking at nothing)
The duration varied: most behavioral changes resolved within 2 to 6 months, though some dogs showed altered behavior for up to a year.
Earlier research from the ASPCA's Companion Animal Grief Studies also documented similar patterns, noting that surviving dogs often searched the home for the deceased companion, waited by doors or windows, and slept in the departed dog's preferred resting spots.
The Evolutionary Basis: Why Dogs Grieve
From Wolf Pack to Living Room
Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) diverged from gray wolves approximately 15,000 to 40,000 years ago. Their wolf ancestors lived in tightly bonded family units where cooperative hunting, pup-rearing, and territory defense depended on stable social relationships. Losing a pack member disrupted survival — not just emotionally, but functionally.
Domestication didn't erase this social architecture. If anything, it intensified it. Dogs evolved to form even stronger cross-species bonds with humans and, in multi-dog households, with each other. The neural circuitry that made wolves effective cooperative hunters is the same circuitry that makes your dog notice — and react to — the absence of a companion.
In wolf packs, researchers have documented behaviors following a pack member's death that parallel what we see in domestic dogs: remaining wolves visit the site where the deceased was last seen, exhibit altered howling patterns, and show temporary disruption in pack hierarchy and social cohesion. This isn't sentimentality — it's an adaptive response. Recognizing loss helps social animals recalibrate their group dynamics.
The Physiology of Canine Grief
Understanding how dogs grieve requires looking at the neurochemistry of social bonding — and what happens when those bonds are severed.
Oxytocin and Social Attachment
Dogs, like humans, produce oxytocin — the neuropeptide often called the "bonding hormone." Research from Azabu University in Japan (2015) demonstrated that mutual gazing between dogs and their owners triggers oxytocin release in both species. This same oxytocin pathway operates between bonded dog pairs.
When a companion dog dies, the surviving dog's oxytocin-driven expectation of social interaction goes unmet. The result is a neurochemical state analogous to what human researchers describe as separation distress — not identical to human grief in its cognitive complexity, but real and physiologically measurable.
Cortisol and Stress Response
The absence of a bonded companion triggers activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, increasing cortisol production. Elevated cortisol in grieving dogs can manifest as:
- Restlessness and disrupted sleep cycles
- Decreased appetite (cortisol suppresses hunger signals in some individuals)
- Increased vigilance and startle responses
- Excessive panting or pacing
Dopamine and Reward Disruption
Bonded dogs develop dopamine-driven routines — the anticipation of play, shared walks, and social interaction creates reward-prediction patterns in the brain. When the companion is gone, expected rewards don't materialize, producing a reward-prediction error that the dog experiences as frustration, confusion, and behavioral depression.
| Neurochemical | Normal Function | Effect of Loss | Observable Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxytocin | Promotes bonding, trust, social comfort | Unmet bonding expectation | Clinginess, seeking physical contact with owners |
| Cortisol | Stress response, alertness | Chronically elevated | Restlessness, appetite changes, panting |
| Dopamine | Reward anticipation, motivation | Reward-prediction error | Reduced play, lethargy, loss of interest |
| Serotonin | Mood regulation, calmness | May decrease | Irritability, vocalization, anxiety |
How Is Dog Grief Different from Human Grief?
One of the most common questions owners ask is: Does my dog understand that their companion is dead? The honest, science-based answer is: probably not in the abstract sense that humans do.
Human grief is layered with cognitive understanding — we know death is permanent, we anticipate a future without the deceased, we process existential meaning. Dogs likely lack this conceptual framework. What they do experience is a profound disruption of expected social patterns, which produces distress that is functionally similar to grief even if cognitively simpler.
Common Misconceptions About Dog Grieving Dog Behavior
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| "Dogs don't notice when another dog dies — they just live in the moment." | Studies show 86% of surviving dogs exhibit measurable behavioral changes lasting weeks to months. |
| "Getting a new dog right away will fix the grief." | Introducing a new dog too soon can increase stress. The surviving dog needs time to adjust, and a new dog disrupts routines further. Most behaviorists recommend waiting at least 2-3 months. |
| "My dog is just being lazy or stubborn — it's not grief." | Lethargy and reduced responsiveness are among the most documented grief behaviors. Rule out medical causes with your vet, but don't dismiss these signs. |
| "Dogs grieve exactly like humans do." | Canine grief is rooted in social-bond disruption, not abstract understanding of mortality. The behavioral expression is real but cognitively different. |
| "If my dog isn't showing signs, they didn't care about the other dog." | Individual variation is significant. Some dogs show minimal outward change. Bond strength, temperament, and breed traits all influence expression. |
What Does It Mean When My Dog Is Grieving? Recognizing the Signs
If you've recently lost a dog and your surviving dog is acting differently, here's what to watch for — organized by how commonly each behavior appears in research:
- Searching behavior: Checking rooms where the deceased dog spent time, waiting at the door or window, sniffing the departed dog's bedding or toys
- Clinginess: Following you room to room, demanding more physical contact, refusing to be alone
- Appetite changes: Eating less (most common), sometimes eating more, showing disinterest in previously favorite treats
- Reduced play: Ignoring toys that previously excited them, refusing to engage in games
- Sleep disruption: Sleeping more than usual, or conversely, restlessness and difficulty settling
- Vocalization: Whining, howling, or barking when alone or at night
- House soiling: Previously house-trained dogs may have accidents — this is stress-related, not defiance
Breed Variations in Grieving Behavior
Not all dogs grieve with the same intensity, and breed tendencies play a role. Dogs bred for close cooperative work with other dogs or intense human bonding may show more pronounced grief responses:
| Breed Group | Examples | Grief Tendency | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Companion/Toy | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Havanese | High | Bred for constant companionship; strong attachment drives |
| Herding | Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd | High | Bred for cooperative pack work; highly attuned to group dynamics |
| Sporting/Retrievers | Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever | Moderate to High | Strong social orientation, but generally resilient temperaments |
| Scent Hounds | Beagle, Basset Hound, Coonhound | Moderate | Pack-oriented but may express grief through vocalization (howling) |
| Independent Working | Akita, Shiba Inu, Chow Chow | Lower (outwardly) | More aloof temperament; may grieve internally with fewer visible signs |
Keep in mind: these are tendencies, not guarantees. An individual Akita may grieve intensely while a Golden Retriever may bounce back quickly. Personality, bond strength with the deceased dog, and the surviving dog's age all influence the response.
When Grief Signals a Medical Problem
When to Consult Your Veterinarian
Many grief behaviors overlap with symptoms of underlying illness. Stress can suppress immune function and unmask latent health conditions. Contact your veterinarian if your surviving dog shows any of the following:
- Complete food refusal lasting more than 48 hours
- Vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
- Extreme lethargy — unable to rouse for walks or bathroom breaks
- Weight loss exceeding 5% of body weight within two weeks
- Aggression that wasn't present before the loss
- Signs of pain (whining when touched, hunched posture, reluctance to move)
Stress-induced immunosuppression can trigger flare-ups of conditions like demodectic mange, gastrointestinal disorders, or urinary tract infections. A veterinary exam rules out medical causes before you attribute symptoms solely to grief.
Practical Takeaways: Supporting a Grieving Dog
Evidence-Based Strategies for Dog Owners
1. Maintain routines precisely. Feed, walk, and play at the same times. Dogs rely on predictability, and routine stability reduces cortisol spikes. Even small changes — a different walking route or shifted mealtime — add stress on top of loss.
2. Allow searching behavior (within reason). Let your dog investigate the deceased dog's spaces. Removing all traces immediately (bedding, toys, bowls) can be more disorienting than gradual transition. Consider leaving one item with the departed dog's scent for 1-2 weeks, then gradually removing items.
3. Increase enrichment without overwhelming. Add 10-15 minutes of scent work, puzzle feeders, or gentle training sessions daily. Mental stimulation activates dopamine pathways and can counteract the reward-deficit state. Use food-dispensing toys like the KONG Classic ($12-$18) or Outward Hound Nina Ottosson puzzles ($13-$30) to encourage engagement.
4. Provide physical comfort. If your dog seeks closeness, allow it. Petting and gentle massage trigger oxytocin release in both you and your dog. Aim for at least 15-20 minutes of calm physical contact daily.
5. Don't rush to adopt a replacement. The Pirrone study found no evidence that getting a new dog immediately helped — and anecdotal reports from behaviorists suggest it can worsen stress. Wait until your surviving dog's behavior has stabilized (typically 2-6 months) before considering a new companion.
6. Monitor your own grief. Dogs are acutely sensitive to human emotional states through body language, vocal tone, and even chemosignals (stress pheromones in sweat). Your grief affects your dog. Seek support for yourself — your dog benefits when you're emotionally regulated.
7. Consider short-term supplementation. For dogs with severe anxiety responses, discuss with your veterinarian whether temporary use of calming supplements containing L-theanine (found in products like Solliquin, $25-$35 for 30 chews) or pharmacological options like trazodone (typically $0.50-$2.00 per dose depending on dog size) may be appropriate during the acute grief period (first 2-4 weeks).
Related Behaviors: The Broader Picture of Canine Social Cognition
Dog grieving dog behavior doesn't exist in isolation. It connects to a broader set of social-cognitive abilities that researchers have been mapping in domestic dogs:
- Emotional contagion: Dogs "catch" emotions from other dogs and humans. A 2020 study in Biology Letters showed dogs can discriminate between happy and angry human faces and respond emotionally to each.
- Jealousy-like behavior: Research from UC San Diego (2014) demonstrated that dogs display behaviors consistent with jealousy when their owner interacts with a realistic stuffed dog versus an inanimate object.
- Empathy-like responses: Dogs have been shown to approach and nuzzle humans who are crying, even when the human is a stranger — suggesting a proto-empathic response.
- Social referencing: Dogs look to their owners for emotional cues in ambiguous situations, similar to how human infants reference their caregivers.
Together, these abilities paint a picture of an animal with sophisticated social awareness — one for whom the loss of a bonded companion represents a genuine disruption, not just a change in routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a dog grieve another dog?
Based on the Pirrone (2022) study, most behavioral changes resolve within 2 to 6 months. However, some dogs show altered behavior for up to 12 months. If grief behaviors persist beyond 6 months without improvement, consult a veterinary behaviorist.
Should I let my surviving dog see the deceased dog's body?
There is limited scientific research on this specific question. Some behaviorists suggest that allowing the surviving dog to investigate the body may help them process the absence, based on anecdotal reports of dogs showing reduced searching behavior afterward. However, this is a personal decision. If the death was traumatic or the body is in distressing condition, it may be better not to.
Can dogs get depressed after losing a companion?
Yes — dogs can exhibit what veterinarians describe as situational depression: prolonged lethargy, appetite loss, and social withdrawal triggered by a specific event. This is distinct from chronic clinical depression but may require veterinary intervention if it persists beyond a few weeks or if the dog stops eating entirely.
Is it normal for my surviving dog to seem unaffected?
Yes. Individual variation is enormous. Dogs with a weaker bond to the deceased, more independent temperaments, or those who experienced the companion's long illness (and gradual withdrawal) may show minimal outward grief. Absence of visible grief does not mean absence of awareness.
Should I get another dog to keep my surviving dog company?
Not immediately. Most certified behaviorists recommend waiting until the surviving dog's behavior has returned to baseline — typically 2 to 6 months. When you do introduce a new dog, choose one with a compatible temperament and energy level, and use gradual introduction protocols (separate spaces, scent swapping, parallel walks) over 1-2 weeks.
Can a dog grieve a human the same way they grieve a dog?
Dogs absolutely grieve the loss of human companions, and the behavioral signs overlap significantly. However, the human-dog bond involves different attachment dynamics (dogs often view humans as primary caregivers), so the grief response may manifest differently — often with more intense separation anxiety and clinginess toward remaining household members.
References
- Pirrone, F., et al. (2022). "Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris) Grieve over the Loss of a Conspecific." Animals, 12(4), 469. mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/4/469
- Nagasawa, M., et al. (2015). "Oxytocin-gaze positive loop and the coevolution of human-dog bonds." Science, 348(6232), 333-336.
- Harris, C.R. & Prouvost, C. (2014). "Jealousy in Dogs." PLOS ONE, 9(5), e94597.
- Merck Veterinary Manual — Behavioral Medicine: merckvetmanual.com/dog-behavior
- ASPCA — Pet Grief Resources: aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/grieving-pets
This article provides educational information based on published research and veterinary behavioral science. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your dog is exhibiting concerning behavioral or physical changes after the loss of a companion, consult your veterinarian or a certified veterinary behaviorist.
Robin Maitland
All our authors care for dogs every day — read more of their work on the authors page.
