Can Dogs Experience Depression After Losing a Canine Companion?

Could a Dog Be Mourning the Loss of Another Dog?

An owner named Anita shared her experience: her five-year-old female dog was introduced to a male puppy, and they got along. Later, a third dog joined the household, leading to four years of turmoil. After that dog died of cancer, the remaining dogs' behavior shifted, and they fought constantly, creating a very stressful environment.

More recently, Anita's female dog died at 17 from a cancerous brain tumor. The male dog had witnessed her seizures before she was taken to the emergency room and euthanized. When they returned without her, his behavior changed again.

He now howls at night whenever left alone, and it is unrelenting. This has continued since the female's death. Anita is considering letting him sleep with her and her husband because he seems very anxious and asks what she can do.

Grief Is a Real Possibility in Dogs

Depression can become a serious issue for some dogs. As social animals, they may mourn the loss of a close companion more often than many people assume. A grieving dog might become aggressive, lose appetite, or sleep more than usual.

Other Reasons a Dog Might Be Depressed

Ongoing pain or illness: This is likely the most frequent cause of depression, yet it can easily go unnoticed. For instance, a person with a dental infection would tell others and seek medical help. Dogs cannot do that, and one way they respond to pain is by becoming depressed.
Loneliness: Many dogs feel isolated after losing their companions. If your dog now seems very alone, the idea you mentioned—allowing him to sleep in your room—could be beneficial.
Boredom: This can stem from losing a playmate or when an owner returns to work after being home. Bored dogs may act destructively, or they might just howl and become depressed.

Schedule a Veterinary Exam

The first step is to have your dog examined physically to rule out depression caused by pain. Chihuahuas and other small breeds often have crowded teeth, leading to dental disease and infections.

Sometimes antibiotics can resolve the problem, but often the dog will need a dental cleaning and extraction of any decayed teeth. Beyond depression, dental disease can contribute to other health issues that shorten lifespan.

Ways to Lift Your Dog's Spirits

If the exam is normal and no health problem is found, the depression is likely psychological, possibly due to grief and lack of company. Eventually, medications like Prozac might be needed, but before starting that, try several approaches.

Increase walks: An early morning walk in the sunshine is often most helpful.
Spend more time together: This usually means more walks or off-leash runs in the park.
Visit new places: A camping trip, hike, beach outing, or even a pet-friendly mall can be enjoyable for both of you.
Adopt another dog: This isn't always simple, but it might be the best solution for your dog. A new puppy isn't always ideal with an older dog, but shelters and Petfinder often have many good matches. Ensure you can return the dog if it doesn't get along with your Chihuahua.

If those measures aren't enough, other options exist for managing depression and grief. Some dogs do require medical therapy such as mood-altering drugs, but this list covers herbal and physical therapies to try first.

This article is not a substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or personalized advice from your veterinarian. Animals showing signs of distress should be seen by a veterinarian right away.