Last Wednesday, I had to put Zeus, my chow, to sleep. He was the oldest of our babies, so for everyone else, he has always been here. It was extremely hard as he was a wonderful friend, not only to my husband and I but also to our three other dogs and 6 cats.
My question is, how can I help the other pets through their mourning? They are, understandably, acting oddly - mopey, clinging, constantly asking for attention, not eating normaly and following us around. We are giving all of the animals extra attention, but I am wondering if anyone else that has had to go through this may have some advice on other ways to help my babies get through this. I know they (like us!) will need time to adjust, but I am wondering if there is anything that we can do to help them through their adjustment.
2007-02-12 01:14:28 · 12 answers · asked by chownrott 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Mourning for animals is just like for humans. There is no cure but time. You are doing the right thing in giving extra love and attention. Other then that, there is really nothing you can do to alleviate the sadness for them or for you and your husband, for that matter. I'm very sorry that you had to do that. That's a tough decision to make.
2007-02-12 01:24:58 · answer #1 · answered by Charles Dexter Ward 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Growing up we had a GSD "Lady", when she was about 4 we got a rescue "bitsa" - "Spiff". Spiff was tiny and although the Rescue Center said she was 8 weeks, our vet thought she was probably only 5weeks. Anyway, Spiff adored Lady. When Lady died of old age we nearly lost Spiff through a broken heart - that was all it could be. We got another GSD puppy within a month and Spiff went straight back to her old self. Sadly this perpetuated, as one died, the other mourned and along would come another puppy! Not much help but I do think they mourn terribly for a senior pack member and a puppy does take alleviate their loss - not dissimilar to us!!!!
2007-02-12 22:44:59 · answer #2 · answered by Dawn R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you should try to distract your pets from the chow's death.Keep spending extra time with them,bring your 3 dogs to a beach or other events where there are plenty of other dogs and offer your dogs treats and other edible things they favor.About your cats maybe you should try to spend extra cuddle time with them or offer them cat-nips and treats.(I hear cats love catnip a lot,it sort of makes them go in gaga land)I have lost loved ones before including a horse named Desire and a dog named Star but over time I got over it and it just settled with me that at least they were in a better place.If it doesn't work ask your vet about mourning or research it on the Internet.
2007-02-12 01:33:10 · answer #3 · answered by Karlinda 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You answered your own question - TIME. It's good to give them attention but you need to help them get on with their own lives. Continue to walk and exercise them. Play with them and train/discipline them as you normally would.
Getting back to a structured routine will help. You and your family (pets included) will never forget Zeus but coddling the others may make the experience worse.
Love them as you normally would but treasure the days you have with the others and spend them in joy not sorrow.
Good Luck
2007-02-12 01:23:51 · answer #4 · answered by sillybuttmunky 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
confident, that's rather hassle-free. it is unhappy to work out yet in simple terms as with people; canines grieve and then heal. What you're able to do to help is the comparable which you will possibly do to help a human chum. You supply them greater help (for this reason contained in this type of petting and snuggling) and do issues with them to take their suggestions off the loss (like playing fetch or going out on an prolonged walk). it is totally unhappy to work out somewhat via fact you won't be able to "tell" them that their chum is in a greater effective place and that they are going to be reunited sooner or later yet they are going to locate peace by you and their different doggie acquaintances.
2016-12-17 08:08:14 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your animals are not mourning their lost pal, sweetie you are projecting your own sense of loss onto them. Animals unlike humans have the ability to move beyond loss quickly.Treat them like dogs and cats and you will see the difference quickly and maybe even learn from it. You have to be the alpha member of your pack and show them the way. I know this may sound harsh to you but it is real. I know the pain we humans feel at the loss of our pets but dogs and cats do not feel that pain.
2007-02-12 01:28:43 · answer #6 · answered by al 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Just keep giving them lots of love and attention. Like people, all dogs are different and some may take a little longer than others.
2007-02-12 01:19:14 · answer #7 · answered by Yo LO! 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I had to put my Chelsea dog to sleep and my other dog Lacey stopped eating 100%. I just got another puppy...that made Lacey really happy and she started eating again. I also got her a big stuffed animal dog to sleep with...she was so used to cuddling up next to Chelsea so it worked. Good luck and I hope everything gets better.!
2007-02-12 01:18:13 · answer #8 · answered by ~J*me~ 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think that giving the dogs the attention they need, and making sure they are being played with, and held, and fed on time is probably the only thing that you can do.
2007-02-12 01:22:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
that is normal. Just as you mourn, so do they. give them extra attention. It takes time, but it will go away.Our dogs servived it twice in one year.They will be ok.
2007-02-12 01:21:28 · answer #10 · answered by bjsuno 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋