#224 Helping Your Dog Cope With Loss and Change

The house feels different when someone is gone—and your dog knows it. Not because they grasp death, but because the rhythms, scents, and routines that shaped their days suddenly vanish. In this heartfelt, practical guide, we walk through the quiet ways dogs grieve and the simple steps that help them find their footing again when absence takes over familiar spaces.

Chapters

• 0:02 Dogs Feel Loss Too
• 0:29 Quiet Signs of Canine Grief
• 1:19 Behaviors to Watch For
• 1:54 Steps to Comfort and Support
• 3:06 When to Seek Professional Help
• 3:31 Rebuilding Safety Through New Routines

Transcript

SPEAKER_00: 0:02

When someone in the family passes away, we tend to focus on how the humans will cope. But our pets feel that loss as well, even if they can't understand what happened. So today we're going to talk about how to help your dog adjust when someone they loved or even just someone who is a part of their daily routine is suddenly gone. I've seen dogs grieve just as deeply as people, but it often shows up in quiet ways. Maybe they stop eating as much. They pace the house looking for that person, or they wait by the door at the time that person used to come home. And sometimes it's more subtle. A dog that has always been confident becomes clingy, or one that loved walks suddenly loses interest. One client told me that her dog sat in the window every afternoon for weeks, waiting for her husband who had passed away. And the dog wasn't being stubborn. She was simply confused and holding on to a pattern that no longer made sense. So what do you want to watch for? Loss of appetite or disruptive sleep. Searching or waiting behaviors, you know, checking the door, favorite chairs, changes in energy, either withdrawn or restless, and changes in house training or routine. Clingingness or sudden avoidance of certain rooms or objects that belong to the person. There could even be a lack of patience with other family members or resident pets. So what can you do to help? Keep the routine steady. Predictability gives dogs a sense of safety when everything else feels different. And let them seek comfort. If your dog wants to sleep on that person's spot on the couch or carry their blanket, that's okay. It's a way of self-soothing. And keep engagement gentle. Walks, sniff time, and puzzle feeders can help relieve tension without overwhelming them. And talk to them. You know, they're not going to understand your words, but they understand your tone. Calm, steady reassurance matters. And watch your own emotions. Dogs are emotional mirrors. If you're crying, they'll know something's wrong. But if they also see you smile or laugh sometimes, they'll start to relax again. If there are other pets, remember they may comfort or confuse each other, so be sure to supervise and don't assume they'll grieve the same way. So pay attention. If your dog stops eating for more than a day or two or seems deeply withdrawn or develops new destructive or anxious behaviors, it's worth calling your vet or a behavioral professional. Sometimes grief tips into depression or separation anxiety, and early support can make all of the difference. But just remember, our dogs don't necessarily understand death, but they understand absence. They notice the silence, the fading scent, the missing routines. Helping them through grief isn't about replacing the person, it's about rebuilding a sense of safety and connection and new routines one day at a time.