Losing a family pet is just as difficult for animals as it is humans. According to new research, dogs can mourn their loved ones for more than six months and experience the same waves of pain and grief as us. One heartbroken pooch has gone viral on TikTok after she sadly lost her best friend.
The devastated pup named Chia can be seen curled up in her dog bed while her mourning family try to comfort her. Owner Noemi Zonta explains that Chia's older sibling, a boxer dog called Apollo, had died the day before and she wasn't coping well. She overlaid text that read: "Yesterday our older dog passed away.
"His younger sister is not ok since then. She spent every second of her life with him. They shared everything.
"Now her mood changed completely. She spends most of the time in bed. Dogs grieve."
The clip, which has been viewed 4.1 million times, was captioned by @noemi_zonta : "We're heartbroken."
Chia's whole body language appears traumatised as she curls up alone in bed for the first time without her big brother.
Dog lovers in the comments section all agreed with Noemi that dogs do grieve.
One said: "They do know and grieve. I'm so sorry for your loss." while another wrote: "I saw the same with one of our dogs. She wasn't the same again until she passed."
Fellow pet owners advised the best ways to support Chia based on their own personal experiences.
"I used to be a veterinary assistant! Get a stuffed animal that looks like the animal that passed. Trust me it's really comforting for them," someone commented.
"Give her a lot of cuddles and love. Talk to her and stay beside her all the time you can. Give her the food she likes and let her be sad for a while," a second suggested.
"Give her his collar, favourite toy or blanket. Something that smells like him," a third wrote.
Others agreed they feared the day their pooches have to be separated.
"My two dogs are littermates and have never been apart. I'm dreading this moment more than anything," a pet parent said.
The Blue Cross explains that grieving dogs may experience a loss of appetite, change in sleep patterns, crying, searching, a need for extra attention or a generally sad demeanour.
A statement on the website reads: "Keeping your dog's routine as close to normal as possible will help them cope with loss.
"If a fellow dog has died, getting a new dog or puppy may be a good thing for your dog, if introduced to each other carefully."
Do you have a dog story to share? Email nia.dalton@reachplc.com.
