How to Help a Pet With the Loss of a Companion

When a pet has been attached to a pet or human companion, she may experience grief when she loses that companion. Grief symptoms for pets, whether the pet is a cat, dog or other animal, vary but include behavioral changes such as lethargy, anxiety, overeating, under eating and even aggression. Some pets recover quickly without a lot of intervention, but for those who do not, there are several things you can do to help the pet cope better with the loss.

Things You'll Need

  • Treats
  • Pet toys
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stick to the regular routine in your household as much as possible, as suggested by veterinarypartner.com. Animals are very sensitive to sudden changes. Household routine changes, such as leaving the pet for longer times or changing the pet's sleeping area (unless it is necessary for the pet's health) will add to a pet's stress.

    • 2

      Keep the pet on its normal diet, unless a veterinarian states otherwise, but do offer extra treats if the pet seems nervous or otherwise unhappy. This may help distract the pet for a while, to get the pet back to a better mood.

    • 3

      Use toys and give the pet extra play time and attention, such as extra grooming, to comfort him. Both cats and dogs may require more holding, petting and bonding time. Messybeast.com advises that in multi-cat households, each cat should receive individual attention during this time. Veterinarypartner.com recommends incorporating more fun activities---such as outings---for dogs.