When Adam Marsh lost his 6-year-old Pomeranian, Astor, to lung disease in June, he wasn’t the only one in their downtown apartment devastated by the death. Marsh’s other dog, Cooper, a 2-year-old, 6-pound Chihuahua- dachshund mix, seemed to be grieving as well.
“He would just cry. It would break your heart,” says Marsh of Cooper’s behavior in the months after his canine playmate’s death. “He knew that Astor wasn’t there anymore.”
While there’s no conclusive scientific research proving that animals experience grief, scientists say it is likely, and there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence. “The more we study animals, the more we recognize them having emotions,” says Dr. Ellen Lindell, a veterinary behavior consultant with a practice in Westchester. “Why wouldn’t they grieve?”
Central Park Zoo’s famous polar bear, Gus, certainly appeared to be grieving when he lost his female habitat-mate, Ida, to liver disease two years ago. Gus, who passed away himself this past August, reportedly grew listless and mopey after Ida’s death.
Little Cooper also offers some anecdotal proof that pets can suffer emotional distress from the loss of a friend. For several months after Astor’s death, he exhibited various disturbing behaviors. He started soiling the furniture, seemed to look around the apartment for Astor, wailed and became quite clingy.
“There was a bond between the dogs,” says Marsh. “They did everything together.”
Over time, Cooper snapped out of it when Marsh started to take him on more walks and even runs to tire Cooper out and reduce some of his anxiety.
But was Cooper’s behavior really due to mourning? “Are [these animals] sad or just confused because they don’t have the structure and they are having some separation anxiety?” asks Lindell. She says that, sometimes, grieving humans can set the tone for the remaining pet’s behavior without realizing it. “We have to really make sure we don’t fall into the trap of over-attributing motives.”
Still, pet owners should keep a cautious eye on a pet who may be experiencing grief. If an animal exhibits behaviors like loss of appetite, lethargy or loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy, Lindell recommends they be taken to the vet for a check-up to rule out any potential physical ailments. If everything appears fine, it’s possible that the pet is just really sad.
She also says it’s important to consider the surviving pet before rushing out to replace a pet that has passed. “If you have a sudden loss of a playful animal,” then getting a new playful pup could help lighten spirits, she says. “If, on the other hand, the pet was [slowly dying], then getting a new pet soon wouldn’t be a good idea.”
Dr. Stephanie LaFarge, ASPCA senior director of counseling services, stresses that owners needn’t try to be strong for their surviving pet. “You shouldn’t hide your grief,” she says. “Sharing their emotion is wonderful, but behaving in an anxious way is not good.” She also notes that it’s “ideal” if the remaining pet can see the deceased’s body to help him process the death.
That’s what Danica Parry, 24, a digital artist living in Astoria, did for her golden retriever, Lucas, when his longtime playmate and older brother, Cody, died from a heart condition two years ago. A few days after Cody’s passing, she had a pet funeral for him, allowing both Lucas and her human family to view the body.
She says she sensed that Lucas was confused by his pal’s disappearance, and thought it might help.
“After [Cody] passed, Lucas didn’t know what to do with himself,” laments Parry. “They were best buddies.”