Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Helping Deal With Grief
• Part 2 of 2: Treating Depression

A person goes through 5 stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and finally acceptance. While there is no doubt that a dog may feel the loss of a close canine friend, its grief takes a different form. Its mental anguish arises from changes in the usual life. All dogs are different and, while one may refuse food due to grief, the other will not notice the absence of a companion. If your pet is very concerned about losing a buddy, there are several things you can do to help him adjust.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Helping Deal With Grief

1. 1 Let the dog examine the body. Many people believe that allowing a dog to examine the body of a deceased friend will help her come to terms with death. The theory is that the dog forms an understanding that his companion is dead and therefore is better at coping with the problem. There is no scientific evidence for this theory, so this step is up to you.
   • It is difficult to determine why this step helps some dogs and why it does not. However, seeing your friend's body is unlikely to harm your dog in any way, but the choice is yours.
   • Quite often, feelings of grief and depression overtake the dog due to the fact that there have been abrupt and obvious changes in the pack. For a surviving dog, this means a loss of a sense of security or routine.
2. 2 Maintain a routine to help your dog adjust. The survival instinct in the wild prevents feelings of grief for a deceased member of the pack, since hunting is important for a predator. Maintaining a habitual routine will reduce the dog's stress, because the last thing he needs after the death of a comrade is if the whole habit is turned upside down.
   • Yes, it will be difficult, but it is necessary to maintain the old way of life: feed it at the usual time for the dog, take a walk with it, visit the usual places. This will calm the pet and let him know that life is going on.
3. 3 Don't let your dog push you around. It is common for humans to want to pamper a dog after losing it; however, this is not the best way to relieve grief. For example, take a dog that refuses to eat. The owner's first reaction is to hand feed and praise him when he eats. As a result, the owner teaches them to eat from their hands. As a result, the dog generally refuses to eat from the bowl, as it prefers hand feeding. And then it turns into a habit that will badly affect his health and your nerves.
   • A much better option would be to maintain a normal feeding schedule, which will make the dog feel that his world is okay. If the dog refuses to eat, remove the bowl after 10 minutes before the next feed. It looks cruel, but for the dog it is preservation of the familiar way of life and a sense of security.
4. 4 Give your pet time to find its place. The dog always has a place in the pack and when one of its members dies, the dog becomes anxious and the sense of security leaves them. Games or teaching different teams can help in this “defining period”. In general, distraction and preservation of the usual way of life.
   • If the deceased dog was the leader, then the survivor will feel insecure, since she also lost her breadwinner. During this period, the pet may bark excessively at other dogs.This is caused either by gaining leadership status or by feeling fear and anxiety (in such cases, he barks to warn other dogs).
   • If the deceased dog was a subordinate, then the survivor may feel depressed, as it has lost its purpose and its support and guidance is no longer needed. She may appear restless, lost, or wander aimlessly around her territory.
5. 5 Fill your free time with interactive games. Two dogs. Which belly together. Constantly interacting with each other in various ways (not even always explicit). When one of the dogs dies, the surviving pet may feel bored and bored. In such cases, mental stimulation can help: games, additional walks, learning new commands and tricks.
   • This one-on-one interaction will help distract your pet and strengthen your bond with him. It can even ease your grief.
6. 6 Consider getting a new dog. Better to get a new pet when you feel ready for it, and not just to comfort the surviving dog. If the dog has had a strong bond with a deceased friend, then buying a new pet instantly will not help her. You can't just go and buy your best friend, right?
   • In addition, a new dog may even worsen the situation. The survivor will regard the new one as an intruder into her territory. Get a new dog only after both of you are ready.
7. 7 Do a test before adopting a new dog. Take a dog from your friend and see how your pet reacts to it. If they get along, then you can probably already have a new pet. If not, don't.
   • Also check how your dog interacts with dogs of a different gender and size. Perhaps she will treat different dogs differently.

Part 2 of 2: Treating Depression

1. 1 Learn to recognize canine depression. It's hard to say for sure if a dog is suffering from depression, but you can try reading body language. These symptoms can be especially troubling. If you are struggling with your own grief. Here are some examples of behavior:
   • Refusal to eat
   • Refusal from activities that the pet was engaged in
   • Sleep changes (sleeping more than usual or having insomnia)
   • Changes in habits (for example, he no longer gets up to greet you when you return home)
     • This behavior is normal when you lose a loved one. However, if they persist for more than a month. It is worth talking to your veterinarian about further treatment.
2. 2 Talk to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety pheromones. Grief is a natural process and must be experienced and overcome. Stifling these feelings with medication is not the best solution. However, if your dog has been depressed for more than a month, you should contact your veterinarian. He may offer you soothing pheromones for dogs.
   • Pheromones are usually available in two flavors: air spray and collar. Often these drugs contain an emulation of the "mother", which affects the dog and makes it feel safe. This is not an instant solution to the problem, but it will help reduce anxiety and the dog will be better able to adapt to the current challenging situation.
3. 3 Talk to your veterinarian about prescription antidepressants. The veterinarian usually suggests this solution if the other methods have not worked and the depression lasts more than a month. Licensed canine antidepressant - clomipramine. It blocks the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters (seratin and norepinephrine) in the brain, which have a calming effect.
   • Dose: 1-2mg / kg orally 2 times a day. For example, a 30 kg dog needs one and a half 80 mg tablets 2 times a day.
   • Side effects: dry mouth, constipation, and may increase plasma levels of certain antiepileptic drugs, so this drug should be taken with caution.