A new study has shown that dogs do indeed experience grief after the loss of their friends.
Italian scientists conducted a study to determine whether dogs mourn the loss of their loved ones. To do this, a survey was conducted among dog owners.
A total of 426 people participated in the survey, using a previously validated scientific questionnaire. It takes into account the emotions of the owners to avoid exaggerations and attributing their feelings to their pets.
The participants in the study were families that had multiple dogs, one of which had died. The results showed that after the loss, other dogs exhibited behavior similar to mourning.
Behavioral changes were observed in 87% of dogs. Among the negative manifestations of grief were: a demand for increased attention from owners (67%), refusal to play (57%), and decreased activity (46%).
Many dogs did not want to engage in play but sought comfort. 35% of the animals began to sleep more, the same number exhibited fear, 32% lost their appetite, and 30% howled or whined more than usual.
Dogs that mourned were characterized by their friendships, playing and walking together, sharing food and resting areas, caring for each other, and not being in conflict. 93% of the dogs had lived with their companions for over a year.
If the owner was deeply affected by the death of the animal, the pets also picked up on that emotion.
According to the scientists, one study is not enough to draw a definitive conclusion that dogs mourn the death of their friends. However, the behavior of dogs after a loss depends on the relationships between companions and indicates a strong attachment. Thus, the well-known attachment theory also applies to dogs, which may explain why these animals, like humans, experience grief and sorrow from the loss of a loved one.
