Gold Coast animal experts say grief can cause pets to die within days of losing mate

Gold Coast vets and pet funeral directors have revealed a heartbreaking reason otherwise healthy pets can pass away.

IT’S not only humans who struggle with grief. Experts say pets can be so devastated by the death of a “sibling’’ pet, they can die of a broken heart a few days later.

Tom Jorgensen, founder of Pet Angel Funerals – the largest pet cremation service on the Gold Coast – says he often has cases in which pets that have grown up together die of natural causes within days of each other.

And local palliative care vet Dr Jackie Campbell says it is not unusual for animals to show signs of grief and distress for months after the loss of another pet.

Tom Jorgensen, founder of Pet Angel Funerals, and his wife, Anne, with their pooch Fifi.

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Mr Jorgensen said when a remaining pet died, the two pets were often cremated together.

“I can’t help but think the second pet dies from the stress of no longer having his or her mate around,” he said.

“Some Gold Coasters even make the hard decision to euthanase the remaining pet if it’s a similar age and also in ill health. This allows the animals to be farewelled as a pair.”

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Mr Jorgensen said the bond between pets that lived together was as close as the bond with their owners.

“A dog, cat or llama – they grieve just the same,” he said. “They do everything together, so their whole world changes when their partner is gone.”

Dr Campbell said animals could show signs of grief and distress for months after the loss of another pet.

“There is plenty of behavioural evidence of grief in animals,” she said.

“Just like with people, grief manifests itself differently in each pet and signs of distress may last for a week and up to six months.”

Gold Coast vet Dr Jackie Campbell with a patient, Luna.

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Dr Campbell said common signs of grief in animals included changes in appetite, sleeping more, seeking out the deceased’s favourite spot, and personality changes such as increased neediness or aggression.

“Animals don’t have the same comprehension of death that people do, so if the remaining pet isn’t there to witness the death, the disappearance of the other pet can be confusing and overwhelming,” she said.

“Occasionally, vets have to step in to help with behavioural changes and try to guide them through it with behavioural training and in some cases, medication.”

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Pet Angel Funerals cremates about 400 pets a month on the Gold Coast. Its service includes collecting and delivering pets that have died, handmade caskets and urns, and a special remembrance room for owners to spend time with their pets before cremation occurs.

To identify signs of grief in your pet and how to help them through it, visit petangel.com.au/pets-grieving-the-loss-of-other-pets/.