Dog depressed after cat's passing

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
I've always had cats, and two years ago we got a dog. When she met my two Siamese (brothers) it was love at first sight for everyone. They slept in the same bed and were really siblings.

One of my cats died 2 months ago, and his brother died last weekend. It wasn't traumatic or unexpected, the first one to go had a heart condition that I always new he would succumb to, and his brother went last weekend on his own terms.

My pup has been depressed for the last few days, she has completely lost her sparkle and interest in everything. She is eating and drinking the minimum, reluctantly so. She doesn't run around when out, and has no interest in play. She's grieving and it's hard to watch.

I know animals get depressed, I had a cat who fell into serious depression after his son died (which is when I got the two Siamese brothers)

Has anyone any experience with helping dogs through grief and depression?

2
Calling meloncollie!

I've had a lot of dogs and cats die, and different reactions from different animals. Mostly I've given it time and paid extra attention to any animal that seems off. Time seems to heal the wounds.

However, if you're not downsizing your menagerie, you could get another kitten which would help...

3
Give her a bone.

4
How about adopting another cat- so many looking for good homes at the mo.

5
Maybe book a long weekend at a hotel which is dog-friendly? A few days away from the familiar scents and routines may help put her on the path to recovery.

Walks and sniffs in new places, new distractions, your undivided attention would probably all help.

6
Get it a kitten!!

7
There's a very high likelihood of getting a couple of cats, but I too need to get over the loss of my two boys, and feel I should give the doggy some time to let it unfold. I just want to make sure that she heals along with us as we go through the process. I'm reluctant to invite new overlords in motivated by distraction first or feeling rushed.

She's a super sensitive being and would be an amazing little healer-therapy dog. I wonder when she integrates this, if she will have that space within her as a resource for others to access as they need it.

She was much perkier on her lunchtime walk, swam and found company with other dogs out walking. It's like she's suddenly aged, and when out walking doesn't pull, walks at my side, even off the leash, and is perfectly obedient. this should be a bonus but its out of character for her as she's still a puppy and I love her sparkle, which means being cheeky.

8
Where to find those home seeking cats?

I've been wanting to get one or two older ones.

9

Any SPA. Some ones close to you include:

https://www.spalacote.ch/
https://sgpa.ch/
https://svpa.ch/

10
If you do decide to get another cat or dog then take your puppy with you and let them choose their new partner.

Had a similar problem when one of our two dogs died, we took the survivor to a dog's home and she chose her new partner that worked out well for all of us.

11
Am feeling your pain and worry.

We inherited our dog after the death of her owner in the UK. She (the dog) went really quiet, wouldn't eat or play, etc. Our family just couldn't coax her to do anything. Special food, extra attention, washing all her bedding with different liquids to erase the owners "smell", special calming sprays - none of it worked.

In our instance, we were able to visit, and take the dog for a long drive whilst in the UK, and have her stay with us at our hotel for a couple of nights. Coincidentally perhaps, she perked up a bit. And then we drove her the 885 km back to Switzerland, and she was like a whole different dog - racing about like a puppy, and had a great life until she too passed away.

I appreciate you cannot try changing countries, but maybe a driving holiday with the change of scene might just help you both?

Good luck!

12
Sorry I missed this, and so sorry to hear about the kitties. How is Luna doing now, Traubert?

13
Hi Meloncollie,

Nice to see you again :-)

Luna's depression was terrible. She wouldn't walk, drink or eat and was completely depleted. I even roasted a chicken for her, which she didn't even sniff at! I consulted an animal communicator, and gave her minimal information, not that I'm skeptical, but...

Both cats died within 3 months, and I only told the communicator that the cat (one) had died. Well, this lady began to tell me things that nobody could guess, some very specific information.

The first thing she told me was that there were two cats, this got me paying attention. Long story short, she told me that Luna wanted 2 kittens. I felt that I was not ready and had already considered not having any more cats and that I would devote myself to Luna. I was sure that she would go through the grieving and eventually emerge.

If there's one cat I dream of having, my ultimate cat, it's a sleek black Oriental Shorthair. They are scarce though, and in any case I had resigned myself to no more cats.

A couple of days later I got from a lady who has a cat hotel, where I used to put my boys when I went on holiday. She said that she had a black OSH kitten who needed to be rehomed as the child in the family that took him had allergies. I 'reluctantly' said I would visit to meet him. In the meantime she sent him back to the family where he was born.

He's not from a breeder, rather a lady who has an OSH and let her cat have kittens with a Siamese cat. I am opposed to breeders, especially OSH as I've lost 2 to kidney failure owing to bad breeding.

So I went to visit them, and ended up coming home with 2 brothers, Onca Shiva and Quaxo Shakti. They are OSH/Siamese, neither parents from breeders so i'm hoping for a more diverse gene pool.

I believe that animals choose us, and I've ended up with little black diamonds from heaven, and Luna sprung from her depression on the day I went to visit the kittens.

She bounced back immediately, and it was love at first sight for them all. She got what she asked for. They are all over each other, it's beautiful to witness.

Thanks for checking in.

14
Oh bless her furry little paws...

Animals can feel grief just as we do. They form bonds as strong as ours. Poor Luna, what a tough time that must have been.

I'm so happy to hear that she has come out the other side now - and even happier to hear that two more sweet souls now have a wonderful home.

Throught the years I have seen time and time again that, when the time is right, the animals we are meant to share our lives with somehow find their way to us. I'm so glad you 'listened' to Luna.

Wishing you all much happiness together.

15
Absolutely meant to be! Love the pictures - how beautiful!! <3