Most experts agree that the time to get a new pet is after you have worked through your grief adequately to be able to look forward to a new pet instead of back at the recently departed one. That process could take a week or two – or many months.
Losing a Pet is Never Easy.
That being said, it's important to take some time to process the loss of your previous pet before embarking on getting a new one. However, no one can stipulate how much time you need; it could be weeks, or months, or days, depending on the owner.
They are part of your family. While your dog was amazingly important, you may miss the benefits and joys they brought to your daily life. After the grieving period, it's normal and OK to consider getting another one.
You might end up projecting negative feelings onto your new dog or having unreasonable expectations. Instead, wait until you feel a sense of peace about your previous dog's death. Yes, you may still be grieving. However, it's best to be at a place where you are processing your grief and it does not dominate your life.
There is no set time allowance for when it's acceptable to adopt a new pet after the loss of your previous one. Each person grieves differently and has different life situations. Some people may take longer to process their grief while others deal with it much sooner.
Pet owners may have long suspected it, but now a study has found that nearly 90 per cent of dogs that experienced the death of a “companion” canine in the same household showed negative behaviours in the following months. This included becoming less playful, eating less, being more fearful and seeking more attention.
No matter how your dog reacts to the loss of another dog, he is probably feeling some kind of stress over the changes in the household. One of the best ways you can help your dog adjust to the loss, is to stick as carefully as possible to his normal routine. Continue feeding him and walking him at the same time.
Second Dog Syndrome
As humans, we are bound to forget all of the time and effort it takes to raise a puppy right. All too often, a second dog joins the household and the expectation is that they will behave as the existing dog in the home does, so they are often given the same freedom right off the bat.
Balancing the Needs of Both Dogs
Even if you find the perfect pup to add to your family, there will be an adjustment period. And when the house's vibe feels off-kilter, some guilty feelings can creep in. “I believe dogs have a rich emotional life, and they feel very connected to their people,” Plymale says.
The study looked at data collected from 426 adults with multiple pet dogs and found that surviving dogs who lost a canine companion showed “grief-related and emotional patterns.” The most common behaviors owners reported were attention seeking (67 percent); playing less (57 percent); a decline in activity (46 percent); ...
“Dogs do form emotional bonds, and hence the loss of a companion animal in their household can be expected to cause behavioural changes, like those we recorded in our study, which overlap what we normally interpret as being grief and mourning,” she said.
Dogs Grieve Based on the Relationship
But, just as with people, not all dogs react the same after the loss of another dog in the household. If the pups shared a very close bond, then the dog may react with behaviors that indicate depression after a furry friend passes away, says Dr.
Your grief will probably not be gone in a few weeks or even months. Because of the special relationship we have with our dogs, grief of a beloved dog can often be more intense than the death of a family member, and coming to terms with the change will take as long as it takes.
Your local vet will be well placed to deal with cat and dog death and handling their remains, and if you wish for it to be handled by them simply place a call as soon as possible. Your vet should then be able to organise the collection and subsequent burial or cremation, according to your preference.
One study found that behavioral changes following the loss of another family pet lasted between 2 and 6 months. More than 40% of dogs experienced changes in eating habits, like eating less food at a slower pace, for up to 2 months.
And “because dogs are highly social creatures,” Dr. Borns-Weil says, in most cases, “getting another dog is the right thing to do. Dogs in isolation are not happy.” Even if you are home with your dog much of the day, a second dog in the family might very well be the right choice.
After getting a new dog, you may find that they quickly become jealous after you bring them home. Finding a new forever home can be a very emotional time. Sometimes, a newly adopted dog becomes jealous because they crave your attention, touch, and voice as a comfort during this time of change.
Causes of Dog Depression
Beaver said major changes in a dog's life could lead to periods of depression. Those include moving into a new home, a new spouse or baby in the household, or adding another pet.
Getting a second dog could make your first dog feel displaced and uncertain. While the majority of dogs will get along well with their new sibling, your first dog may not be happy having to share their toys, space, territory, or even their owner's affection.
If you want to have another dog and your only hesitation is the fear that you won't love them the same as you do your first dog, let me tell you this: you will not the love them the same - you will love them differently, but equally.
But the truth is, owning two dogs doesn't have to be more work – in fact, it can often be easier. And as for the cost, it will cost more money than one but not twice the amount. This is because dogs will often share toys, beds, etc.
Your dog will hardly know what happened and will simply start to feel pleasantly drowsy. You will notice that I said “Your vet will hopefully prepare an anaesthetic or sedative injection for your dog”. Some do not. Having seen it done both ways, the “two injection” method is definitely my preference.
Isolation or becoming extra needy. Other signs that a dog is dying is if they either socially distancing themselves from humans or other pets, or become unusually clingy or needy. If you notice your dog seeking solitude, respect their space and engage with them slowly and calmly.
The answer is YES! When a pet dies, they are still contactable and often want to continue to contact their people for many years. Even though they are not in the physical body, their spirit is alive and well. You can still see, hear, or sense your pet, even if for a fleeting moment.