As a nation of dog lovers, we tend to attach many human characteristics to our four-legged friends! However, though dogs are compassionate and indeed sensitive animals, it’s often hard to instantly know how they’re feeling. Nowhere is this more evident than when it comes to what appears to be a dog crying. So we are often wondering,- Why do dogs cry?
In this article, we will look at whether it’s possible for dogs to cry and what are the causes of this phenomenon. We will also dispel some of the myths about the dogs shedding tears.
Why Do Dogs Cry? Possible Reasons
Many people are wondering if dogs actually cry. The answer is yes, they do. However, the type, sound, and pitch of their crying will differ with an individual dog. Besides, the reasons behind the crying will vary as well.
Dogs do indeed have their own emotions, but unlike us humans, they can’t express them verbally.
We’re all aware of dogs wagging or indeed hiding their tails to show their intent, but the only other way they can express emotions is to do so vocally. Their feelings are evident through barking, growling, grumbling, and crying.
There are several common reasons why some dogs cry. It might happen during the night, in the car, when they are separated from their beloved owner or even at the puppy stage. We will explore further in the article what each cry actually means.
Before that, it’s essential to define what are the healthy dog crying emotions. It’s also important to know in what cases your pet may need to be checked out by a veterinarian.
Do Dogs Cry Tears?
It’s important to note that dogs crying in general, and dogs showing actual tears are two different issues altogether.
Dogs that cry due to the different emotions will not physically shed tears.
Therefore if you do start to notice watery eyes, and the dog appears to be physically crying, you will need to have your dog seen by a veterinarian.
When dogs cry actual tears, the reasoning behind it is something other than emotions. This is because canines cannot cry real tears as we, humans, do when we’re emotionally overcome.
Dogs do have tear ducts just like we humans have, and these are to keep their eyes bright and healthy and to function correctly.
But, instead of letting out tears and crying as such, dogs tear ducts function differently. The liquid from a dog’s eyes is drained back towards the areas of the throat and nose. So if they look like they are crying, something is not quite working well here and needs checking out.
The most common causes of real tears and physical crying in a dog can be attributed to several things, including:
- Blocked tear ducts
- Allergies
- Scratched corneas
- Infections
- Specks of dirt
Why do Dogs Cry in Their Sleep?
If you notice that your dog tends to cry in their sleep, you may well want to refer to that age-old saying, ‘let sleeping dogs lie.’
This is because most dogs have a habit of crying out in their sleep. But all it means is that they’re amid a dream and are expressing their emotions about that vision!
By waking them up during this, you may well pull them from one of the most glorious dreams they’ve ever had – which wouldn’t sit well with your dog! Thus, if they seem okay otherwise, leave them be during this.
Dogs usually recreate their daily activities as they sleep. So if they’ve been out on a pleasant walk or happened to have chased off some smaller furry creature, they may well be reliving that experience and crying out while doing this.
Many dogs will also twitch as they sleep!
Furthermore, your dog needs this time to rest and recuperate from the day. So try to resist the urge to nudge them or wake them up each time they cry during their sleep.
This will allow them to recharge their batteries and wake up refreshed physically and mentally.
What’s more, at worst if you do wake him or her amid a deep sleep, you could very well startle them and cause a defensive reaction.
If you want to find out more about dog sleeping behaviour, read our article “Do Dogs Dream?”.
Why do Dogs Cry in the Car?
There aren’t that many dogs who thoroughly enjoy being in or traveling in the car.
From a dog’s perspective, the car signals a strange foreign contraption that is frightening and stressful each time. Not knowing what’s coming next, especially if they’re only in it occasionally, often means dogs will cry out in angst.
Other reasons for crying in the car can include:
- travel sickness,
- feeling nauseous,
- frustrated at being confined, fearful where the journey will end (especially if it’s often at the vets each time!),
- getting overheated
- needing to use the bathroom while traveling.
For some dogs, even the excitement of being in the car and heading out can get them crying. For instance, they might feel overexcited with the idea of a park at the end of the journey.
But there are many remedies that you can attempt here, in a bid to reduce the amount of crying your dog might do during a car journey.
Try to get them used to the car from an early age. For instance, take them out in it regularly, though for a short period. This way, it becomes the norm rather than a rarity.
Keep them fresh throughout your journey and stop for a break and consider offering them a toy as a distraction.
Why Do Dogs Cry When You Leave?
As naturally social creatures, dogs thrive on your human company. Therefore when you part from them, it’s only understandable that they feel a little sad and begin to cry out.
The problem here though is that dogs have no concept of time and therefore each time you leave, they have no way of knowing that you’ll ever come back.
Dogs believe in unconditional love and have no idea why their human sees the need to leave them at all. This is the reason why in many dogs your leave can encourage a separation anxiety.
Yet, all dogs will have to experience some time left alone as it’s never possible for any owner to be at their side 24/7.
So, if this crying isn’t addressed at the very early signs of it starting – then it will become problematic for all involved, including the dog, owner and possibly that of the neighbours.
Stopping your dog from crying when you leave
Though you can’t change the way a dog perceives being left by their owner, there are steps you can take to prevent separation crying or at least work on reducing it.
The most successful way you can prevent dog crying, in this case, is via distraction techniques.
Dogs tend to pick up on our actions and body language, and for many dogs, the problems start in the build-up to their owners leaving home.
Therefore, if you can leave home quietly without drawing any attention to yourself, then you go some way to resolving the issue.
Try offering your dog a treat or toy as a diversion for when you’re getting ready. This way, it won’t be so concerned with watching for visual clues that you’re about to leave. Then by the time you leave, your dog will stay occupied and won’t be so agitated!
You can also do things such as leaving on the TV or radio, closing the blinds or curtains and giving your pet toys that will keep it occupied for a good time. Start by doing this for short time bursts and then build it up.
Why Do Dogs Cry at Night?
Like crying when you leave them, dogs are likely to cry during the night due to loneliness.
The night-time can be a scary enough place for humans, so for a dog, this is increased ten-fold. Dogs have extremely sensitive hearing so they can pick up much more than us humans can.
Therefore some dogs may see it as their role to stay on guard throughout the night, listening out for any possible signs of intrusion.
Dogs may also cry out at night to get your attention so they can have some company in the darker, more frightening hours.
This is referred to as separation anxiety and is the same feeling felt by those dogs who cry when left alone during the day.
If it’s unusual for your dog to cry throughout the night, they could just be telling you that they need to go to the toilet.
Stopping your dog from crying at night
Solving the problem of night-time crying needs a little more attention. Surprisingly, what you may consider a solution, could be the total opposite.
Firstly, you shouldn’t keep getting up to attend to a crying dog during the night, or letting it out every night.
Secondly, don’t invite your pet into your room and bed temporarily. By doing this, you will ultimately start off a whole new set of problematic behaviour!
Crying in this situation can be solved by offering your dog a warm snug bed which has a familiar scent.
Start by placing your dog near your room where it can see you. Then, gradually move it further away each night until your pet is in the place you want it to be.
Your dog may do a little bit of crying during this procedure; however, you should stay strong and do not react.
As well as that, ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day. Remember, your pet should be tired by the time the night comes around. This way, it won’t have much energy to bother crying.
Why Do Puppies Cry?
Puppies can portray a wide range of emotions by crying. It is triggered by transition process from being taken away from their mother to entering a whole new environment. Also, puppies can become easily frustrated when trying to communicate their needs.
If your puppy isn’t continually crying and whimpering throughout the day and seems in relatively good health, then there is nothing to worry about.
In this case, you can simply learn to understand the many types of cry your puppy makes at different intervals throughout this stage and interpret it correctly.
Puppies cry because they’re hungry, they want some affection, are fearful, lonely, or simply bored.
Be sure never to yell at your puppy when they cry. Not only will it confuse your pet much, but also begin all kinds of behavioural issues.
Instead assure that it has all it needs now, working on implementing the night-time and leaving during the day tips mentioned above at this crucial development stage.
With time and practice, those puppies trained and socialised correctly at the very early stages of development, will not feel the need to cry without an apparent reason.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our write-up “What essential oils are bad for dogs”.