Do dogs need to say goodbye to other dogs?
Hassie VonRueden
2025-07-07 09:33:34
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: 7
Most of the time what people are asking is, should I make sure my other pet can see the deceased body to know that he’s gone. In the years I have been doing euthanasias, and notably in home euthanasias with other pets present, they don’t treat the death of their friend in the same way you or I would. I do often find that they ignore the body completely, even when put right in front of it and are told to say goodbye. Dogs are being trained to detect cancer, seizures, low blood sugars in diabetics, and who knows what else. It seems logical to think that they know, and accept, illness and death on a bit of a different level than we do. Perhaps they are not surprised by the death of a beloved companion. Perhaps in their world view it is right and proper. So should the housemate pet be present, of course, unless they are the type to defend their sick friend. Just stay open to however the housemate pet reacts, because it may not be something you can predict.
Tracey Quigley
2025-07-02 12:15:44
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: 11
Experts are still undecided about whether dogs can experience true grief and understand the permanence of death. But we do know that they can experience distress when separated from close friends. If an animal in the household dies, surviving pets can sometimes seem clingy, anxious or more sensitive to things going on around them. They might even seem depressed, losing interest in playing, sleeping, or eating. Remaining pets may begin to show signs of separation distress. These can include panting, pacing, whining, drooling, howling, barking, not eating treats while alone, or even refusing food entirely.
Logan Gulgowski
2025-06-22 06:36:00
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: 8
Definitely yes, if at all possible. Minimally, they should be given a chance to say their goodbyes after the pet has passed away. This will bring them closure and will decrease the chances that the pet will be waiting at the door for hours for the deceased pet to come back home, or for them to look all over the house, under beds, behind couches, looking expectantly out the windows, getting depressed, going off their food, etc. The disappearance of a pack member is very difficult to cope with for a dog. In any case, if it is impossible for the other pet(s) to be present during the procedure, we should at least let them come in and give them a chance to realize what has occurred after the pet has passed away. Do not necessarily expect a lengthy process. In most cases, all it takes is a glance, a brief sniff and they walk away. They "know". And this is enough for them to be able to move on.
Hailie Lemke
2025-06-22 02:23:41
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: 8
In most situations, companion pets should be allowed to be present during the process of euthanasia. Furthermore, companion pets should ALWAYS be allowed to be present AFTER the ailing pet has passed on. I often tell families that companion pets’ grieve uniquely, like people do. What is important is that you give them the freedom to be there and that you understand that they will grieve too. It really does help give them closure, just like it does for us. I have heard countless stories from families on having the companion pets present has been a positive experience and how conversely, not allowing them to be present can result in unsettling behavioral changes. One family described how their bonded pet looked for the deceased pet for literally 5 years. Not only were they grieving, but so was the companion pet, and unfortunately he did not have the closure of knowing what happened to the other pet. The other element to remember is that the companion pets likely knew their friend was ill, perhaps even before you or your family may have known. Make no doubt that your companion pets probably knew about these changes long before we did.
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