Abstract
Simple SummaryThe loss of a companion animal is recognised as being associated with experiences of grief by the owner, but it is unclear how other animals in the household may be affected by such a loss. This paper investigates the behavioural responses of dogs and cats to the loss of an animal companion through owner-reported observations. There was consensus that behaviour changed as a result of loss including increased affectionate behaviour, territorial behaviour, and changes in food consumption and vocalisation.The loss of a companion animal is recognised as being associated with experiences of grief by the owner, but it is unclear how other animals in the household may be affected by such a loss. Our aim was to investigate companion animals’ behavioural responses to the loss of a companion through owner-report. A questionnaire was distributed via, and advertised within, publications produced by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) across Australia and New Zealand, and through a selection of veterinary clinics within New Zealand. A total of 279 viable surveys were returned pertaining to 159 dogs and 152 cats. The two most common classes of behavioural changes reported for both dogs and cats were affectionate behaviours (74% of dogs and 78% of cats) and territorial behaviours (60% of dogs and 63% of cats). Both dogs and cats were reported to demand more attention from their owners and/or display affiliative behaviour, as well as spend time seeking out the deceased’s favourite spot. Dogs were reported to reduce the volume (35%) and speed (31%) of food consumption and increase the amount of time spent sleeping (34%). Cats were reported to increase the frequency (43%) and volume (32%) of vocalisations following the death of a companion. The median duration of reported behavioural changes in both species was less than 6 months. There was consensus that the behaviour of companion animals changed in response to the loss of an animal companion. These behavioural changes suggest the loss had an impact on the remaining animal.
Highlights
Across Australia and New Zealand, the companion animal population comprises 36 million companion animals [1]
Both New Zealand and Australia have some of the highest cat and dog ownership rates with 44% of New Zealand households and 29% of Australian households owning a cat and 28% of New Zealand and 39% of Australian households owning a dog
Owners were free to include information on all companion animal species, the paucity of information pertaining to species other than cats and dogs meant that only information pertinent to dogs and cats was analysed
Summary
Across Australia and New Zealand, the companion animal population comprises 36 million companion animals [1] Both New Zealand and Australia have some of the highest cat and dog ownership rates with 44% of New Zealand households and 29% of Australian households owning a cat and 28% of New Zealand and 39% of Australian households owning a dog. This is a substantially greater number than the UK where 17% of households own a cat and 24% a dog Animals 2016, 6, 68; doi:10.3390/ani6110068 www.mdpi.com/journal/animals. Inevitability, due to the vast number of companion animals within today’s society, a large number of owners will experience separation from, or loss of, their companion animal and unsurprisingly such a loss is distressing, often causing the person significant grief and mourning [6,8,9]
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