Grief – Can dogs grieve? The answer is yes, they definitely can. Little Dorrit was very stressed and sad after her mother Daisy died. She was so used to doing everything with her and felt very lonely even though we still had Roscoe the black Doberman. Vitamin B2 is said to aid depression and can be effective in humans as well.
The same is true of cats. Blackie and Whitey were inseparable and when the latter was run over by a car on our country lane Blackie was quite bereft.Whitey had been his little friend’s protector caring for him and curling up with him in a chair each night. Blackie cried so piteously as he went round looking for him day after day that we decided to get him a companion. The arrival of the newcomer gave him something to think about. However they were always acquaintances rather than friends. It wasn’t until the arrival of the semi-feral Cornish Rex that Blackie found a real pal once again.
Homoeopathically: Ignatia is the main remedy for grief. Nat mur can be given after ignatia, particularly if the animal seems to want to be left alone. Nux vom is also possible for a dog that does not want to be handled; however, if the reverse if true and your pet craves attention, pulsatilla may be more appropriate. Staphisagria is good for grief when it is accompanied by symptoms such as hair loss. Aurum is appropriate when there is a deep depression and causticum works well when the animal appears to age after losing a companion (either animal or human) that has probably had a worrying illness over a long period. Nellie our 7 year old dobermann experienced this with Ponto who had a nasty leg cancer. St Johns Wort (hypericum) can help to relieve depression.
Herbally: Camomile, skullcap and valerian are very calming. Honeysuckle or Star of Bethlehem may be given to animals when they have lost their owner or fellow dog or cat. Olive can be helpful when the worry has been long-standing.
Alexandra is the founder of the ABC Animal Sanctuary on www.abcanimalsanctuary.co.uk We are all volunteers and are most grateful for any adoptions of animals or any donations . £2.50 would pay for a bale of hay for instance. We have a Paypal button and a PO Box number on the website. Alexandra has also written “Beware Dobermanns, Donkeys and Ducks” and the veterinary recommended “The Healthy Dog” and “The Healthy Cat” books. a few remaining copies are available from our web site shop.
Copyright Alexandra Bastedo. www.abcsanctuary.co.uk
