|
|
|
|
 It is unlikely that pets actually grieve, since it is doubtful that dogs and cats have a concept of death. However, in the absence of a person or other animal to which the dog or cat had a strong attachment, there are stages of behavioural changes that are similar to what we know as grief.
It is more appropriate to call grieving a prolonged state of separation anxiety.
|
|
|
What are the signs of grief?
Top
The first stage is called activation, when the dog barks and continually patrols the property as if looking for the absent person or animal, and lasts for a few days. This is followed by depression with reduced activity, and loss of appetite. This period may last for several weeks. Eventually, periods of normal behaviour are seen between times of depression, until behaviour finally returns to normal.
|
Is there any treatment for a grieving pet?
Top
Anti-anxiety drugs will help in the stages of separation anxiety (or grieving), especially if they are affecting the health of the dog and/or the owner. Show the cat or dog lots of love and attention, giving favourite foods, and engaging in pleasurable activities. Provide the animal with a den – a small, dark, quiet and comfortable area that has the features of a nest, and provide dogs with lots of off-leash exercise. With time, the stages will pass, and your pet will return to normal behaviour.
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Editor: Dr Julia Adams BVSc
Contributors: Dr Rebecca Bragg BVSc
Image courtesy of Merial Australia
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
|
