Do Dogs Grieve? Understanding Your Puppy’s Heart
By Lil Luxe Pups — Supporting Your Puppy Through Every Chapter
When a dog passes away, many pet parents notice clear emotional changes in the surviving dog.
Yorkies, Morkies, and Shorkies often form deep bonds, so the loss of a companion can affect them profoundly. You may see appetite loss, separation anxiety, or shifts in sleep patterns — all of which can point to grief.
Understanding why this happens helps you support your little one through healing.
To better understand grief terminology and emotional signals in dogs, you can also explore guidance from the ASPCA, a trusted source in animal behavior:
https://www.aspca.org
And for families navigating a tough moment, our Lil Luxe Pups wellness page provides support and tips for keeping your puppy’s routine steady:
https://lilluxepups.com/puppies/
Can Dogs Truly Experience Grief?
People have debated animal emotions for centuries. Charles Darwin believed emotions existed across species, while later behaviorists rejected the idea. That changed in the mid-1980s, when researchers like Jane Goodall documented emotional expression in animals.
Today, science increasingly supports what dog parents have said for years:
Dogs feel loss.
How Dogs Understand Loss
Dogs may not fully grasp the concept of death, but they do notice absence — and that absence affects them emotionally.
Dr. Barbara J. King, author of How Animals Grieve, explains that mourning does not require a complete understanding of death. Instead, it comes from connection.
A 2022 Italian study found that dogs show more signs of grief when the emotional bond with their companion was strong — not necessarily when they lived together the longest.
This shows us something powerful:
Dogs grieve because they love deeply.
Signs of Grief in Dogs
The ASPCA Companion Animal Mourning Project found that two-thirds of dogs exhibit noticeable behavioral changes when they lose a dog friend. These may include:
Appetite loss
Restlessness or sleep changes
Increased vocalizing
Avoiding activities they once enjoyed
Clinginess or confusion
Withdrawal
In severe cases, physical decline
These behaviors mirror human experiences of grief in simple, instinctive ways.
How to Support a Grieving Dog
Your presence matters more than anything during this time.
1. Stay Close
Extra cuddles bring comfort. Your dog needs reassurance and safety.
2. Keep Routines Steady
Predictability helps reduce anxiety and confusion.
3. Offer Stimulation
Puzzle toys, soft play, and slow enrichment activities can shift their focus gently.
4. Encourage Movement
Walks and outdoor time help regulate mood and energy.
5. Introduce Companionship Slowly
If you plan to adopt again, allow your grieving dog to adjust at their own pace.
Healing happens, but it takes patience.
Why Some People Doubt Animal Grief
Some skeptics claim we cannot know what animals truly feel.
Marc Bekoff, a respected behavioral ecologist, disagrees. He highlights that caregivers observe subtle emotional responses daily — and those observations are meaningful.
Bekoff notes that even if a dog’s grief does not match human grief perfectly, it is still grief.
Grief Is Another Form of Love
Dr. Barbara King reminds us that grief and love are intertwined.
Dogs mourn because their hearts are built for connection — with us and with each other.
Recognizing their grief allows us to support them the same way they support us every day: with loyalty, affection, and unconditional love.
