December 22, 2024, 9:34 am | Read time: 5 minutes
What do pop star Robbie Williams and fashion designer Guido Maria Kretschmer have in common? Not much at first glance. But both have lost several of their dogs within a very short space of time. It is a tragic phenomenon that, unfortunately, is not that rare. Dogs from the same household often die in quick succession. PETBOOK spoke to dog experts Katharina Marioth and Marc Ebersbach about this.
For pop star Robbie Williams, both dogs died on the same day,1 and for Shopping Queen star Guido Maria Kretschmer, four of his greyhounds died in just one year. The fashion designer wrote on his Instagram page: “Our tears haven’t dried yet, our beloved Undine is also going. She missed her sister so much and then quietly slipped away.”
Dogs Often Experience Significant Stress Following the Death of a Fellow Canine in the Household
A phenomenon that is not so rare, as dog psychologist Marc Ebersbach explains when asked by PETBOOK. But why is that? “Spiritual esoterics might suggest ‘their souls have made an appointment in heaven,’ though this is not something we can prove. What can be proven, however, is that dogs are often under enormous stress when a conspecific with whom they have lived for years dies, says the dog expert.
“This stress can affect the cardiovascular system, weaken the immune system, and increase the risk of existing diseases,” explains dog trainer Katharina Marioth in an interview with PETBOOK. “In older dogs that already have a health condition, this stress can accelerate the progression of diseases such as heart failure or degenerative diseases.”
Studies have shown that social stress in dogs leads to an increased release of cortisol, which in turn is associated with cardiovascular problems, the dog expert continues.
“Many Dogs Exhibit Depressive Reactions to the Death of Another Dog”
According to Marioth, the loss of a canine partner can lead to an increased release of cortisol and a drop in serotonin levels in the bereaved four-legged friend, which can have similar effects to depression in humans. “This manifests itself in loss of appetite, sleep disorders, and reduced interest in social interactions.” Long-term stress can also exacerbate chronic illnesses such as gastrointestinal problems (e.g., gastritis) or heart problems.
This increasing stress and the grief that bereaved animals are often exposed to is usually quite obvious to owners, confirms dog psychologist Marc Ebersbach. The changes can be quite serious. “You can often see that dogs often support each other. I often have cases where a dog suddenly becomes totally insecure because the other dog has died, who has always given him protection through his presence alone, so to speak.”
“One Passed Away, and the Other Suffered So Profoundly That He Too Passed Away a Few Weeks Later”
In addition to increasing insecurity, owners also describe how some dogs often seek closeness to their humans after a death “in the pack” or – quite the opposite – withdraw completely. Ebersbach says that he recently had a case like this himself.
“I have a situation with a friend right now, two Doberman siblings. One died, the other suffered so incredibly that he also died a few weeks later.” According to the dog psychologist, although both siblings were already at an advanced age, the vitality of the other had noticeably diminished after the death of his brother.
It is also often the case that the four-legged friends living in a multi-dog household are often of a similar age. Marc Ebersbach says that it can happen that an already old dog’s vitality diminishes after such a drastic change.
Is It Recommended to Bring in a New Dog for Companionship?
In the case of his acquaintance with the two Dobermans, there was a third dog in the household. “It wasn’t a Doberman, but a mixed breed that came along a little later. In any case, he really suffered a lot for five months after the two of them died. He only recovered a little when a new female dog came into the household.” Marc Ebersbach explains that this dog kept the bereaved dog cognitively and emotionally occupied for the time being and brought a bit of stability back into his life.
But is it generally advisable to get a new animal to keep the remaining dog company? Or could a new roommate cause more confusion? “This decision depends on the character and emotional state of the remaining dog,” says Katharina Marioth. “On the one hand, a new dog can provide variety and new stimuli, but on the other hand, it can also cause stress, especially in older dogs.”
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“Helmut Subsequently Made it Clear That He Was Not Ready For Another Canine Companion at That Time”
The dog trainer says that settling in with a puppy can be overwhelming for sensitive, older dogs. “It is important that a new dog is not brought in as a ‘replacement’ for the deceased dog. People and dogs should have completed the grieving phase before a new dog comes into the house.” She recommends slowly introducing the dog to the new situation and observing how the bereaved dog reacts. She herself decided against getting a new dog after one of her two dogs died.
“When my senior Schmidt, a Boxer-Mantle Dog mix, passed away at Christmas 2021 – the dog that Helmut chose for me and was always a confident companion – I went on a trip through Germany and Austria with Helmut, Schmidti’s ashes and lots of printed photos and we spent three weeks visiting all my favorite places and leaving the right photo there.” Katharina Marioth reflects that this was important for her in her grieving process.
“Helmut then made it clear that he didn’t want another canine companion for the moment. Interestingly, however, a few months later, he showed some funny quirks that only Schmidt had previously displayed. And without any scientific evidence to back it up, it appeared as though he too cherished memories of his long-time companion.”