Our other dog seems to be grieving too
This is common. In an Italian survey, 86% of owners said their other dog changed after the loss. Many sought more attention or played less. Welfare groups suggest keeping routines and giving extra comfort.
A real example
In 2022, a University of Milan team surveyed 426 Italian owners who had lost one of two dogs. 67% said the other dog sought more attention. 57% said it played less. 25% said the changes lasted over six months.
Research, Springer Nature (Scimex, Australian Science Media Centre), 25 Feb 2022Read the original
What others said
「One of my dogs just died and another is dying, so I worry the one left will be lonely.」
Shared online (reworded) English-speaking, Oct 2026「It has been a few weeks, and our other dog, who is 12, won't eat or sleep and cries for them every morning.」
Shared online (reworded) English-speaking, Oct 2026What people do in different places
Keep feeding and walk times the sameUK | RSPCA: familiar times can reassure them
Give extra play or quiet time togetherUK | RSPCA: whatever they seem to need
Stay close and do things togetherItaly | the study author's advice, so they feel protected
Ask a vet if eating or sleep changesUS | Morris Animal Foundation: these changes can be health issues
Sources
2 posts from owners online: reworded and anonymised, showing only the platform, region and month. We keep the original links privately.
Updated 25 Oct 2026. This page updates daily from owners’ posts.