Dogs are frequently pictured as cheerful, carefree creatures that wag their tails and roll over to have their bellies scratched. You know, all signs of happiness and loving behavior. But as any astute pet owner is aware, dogs undoubtedly experience other types of emotions as well. They can become angry (why did you step on my tail? ), be scared (possibly if there is a perceived threat, such as fireworks or a thunderstorm), and they also seem to experience sadness, just like humans. But do dogs cry?.
Dog Tale co-founder Daniel Caughill says, “Dogs are extremely emotional creatures. They typically exhibit their happiness and excitement by barking, waving their tails, and licking the people they adore. But unfortunately, having emotions means dogs experience sadness, too. “.
However, even though they experience sadness, dogs don’t always “cry” in the same way that people do. If we’re talking about tears, this species expresses its distress in a slightly different way. So, do dogs really cry? Heres what the experts say.
No. and yes. Although dogs can “cry,” tears don’t necessarily come out of their eyes when they do so. at least not due to their feelings.
Dogs do cry in the sense that they can shed tears, as you may have noticed in your own pet, says Dr. Genna Mize, a staff technical service veterinarian at Virbac Animal Health who supports the pharmacovigilance team But it’s believed that humans are the only animals who cry tears of emotion. “.
Dogs don’t cry when they are sad, unlike people, so their whimpering actually sounds more like dog crying.
Whimpering or whining vocalizations, as well as a lack of enthusiasm for their preferred snacks or toys, are all indications that your dog is depressed, according to Caughill. Dogs may also conceal their faces from you or squint in order to express their emotions. “.
However, Cauhill cautions, “don’t expect to see tears even if you hear your dog crying.” The normal functions of a dog’s tear ducts include clearing the eyes of dirt and other irritants. But dogs dont tear up in response to their emotions. “.
In actuality, crying as in letting out tears is a wholly human activity. Other than for emotional reasons, dogs and other animals also experience physical tears in their eyes.
“Only humans cry tears when they are sad,” Dr. Oscar Chavez, a veterinarian and the founder and Chief Medical Officer of JustFoodForDogs LLC, explains to Parade “However, dog tears could indicate an eye problem, including discharge, conjunctivitis or infections, allergies, corneal ulcers, or scratches,” “.
Do Dogs Cry When They’re Sad?
While it may be simple to assume that a dog’s tears indicate sadness, it’s important to realize that when it comes to dog body language, crying in humans is not the same.
When people cry, self-soothing helps them control their emotions and calm down, but when a dog cries, it usually means that something is wrong with their eyes. Although this may seem counterintuitive to us humans, it is helpful to keep in mind these points in order to avoid misinterpreting our dogs’ needs.
To give some context, it should be noted that although dogs have tear ducts that support proper eye function, the process differs slightly from that of humans. The tear ducts in a dog don’t actually release the tears. Instead, a back drain empties the liquid into the nasal cavity.
So what could be the cause of your dog’s tears if it is crying?
What could be the cause if it’s not because they’re sad, you might wonder if your dog is crying?
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There’s no single reason as to why dogs shed tears. Therefore, to determine the precise cause if it occurs, you might need to have a dog examined by a veterinarian. Here are a few examples of potential causes for why dogs may cry or exhibit weepy eyes to give you an idea:
If there’s a blockage in your dog’s tear ducts, you may notice tears falling down from their eyes. This symptom of overflowing tears is called epiphora. It’s hard not to miss when your dog has epiphora because this will be evident from the dampness around their eyes. The causes of epiphora are many, ranging from rhinitis and sinusitis to parasites and bone trauma.
It may also be accompanied, if it’s been going on for a while, by signs like skin irritation and reddish or brownish fur around your dog’s eyes. Consult a vet to examine your dog and determine the source of the obstruction.
Active and playful dogs are more prone to getting a corneal ulcer, which is also called a scratched cornea. The cornea is a transparent membrane that covers the dog’s eyeball. When your pup is playing rough with cats or when they like exploring thick bushes, scratching the cornea is entirely possible.
After engaging in vigorous outdoor play, your dog may start to cry, which could mean that his cornea has been scratched. Along with excessive blinking, pawing at an eye, and swelling around the eye, additional symptoms besides watery eyes include The complexity of treating a scratched cornea depends on how severe the damage is In order to determine a potential treatment, speak with your veterinarian if you notice these symptoms in your dog.
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Your dog may have an eye infection if you notice that they are crying and their tears are producing mucus, are yellow, or contain blood. Other symptoms like swelling and eye irritation may also be present. To ensure that your dog receives the necessary care if they display these symptoms, it is best to have them examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the conjunctiva tissue, is another reason why dogs tear up. In healthy pooches, this tissue can hardly be seen. Conjunctivitis in dogs results in red, swollen membranes that cause discharge from the eyes, excessive blinking, and swelling around the eyes.
Sometimes nasolacrimal or tear duct obstruction in dogs can result in conjunctivitis. Simply put, this inflammation may result in dogs crying tears. A vet appointment is required if your dog has swelling around the eyes and is shedding tears. Fortunately, conjunctivitis in dogs is typically simple to treat, especially if you see a vet as soon as possible.
Watery eyes in dogs are also among the allergy signs. But there are a variety of potential causes for allergies. These could include, among other things, pollen, flavors, aromas, dust, and smoke in foods.
Several tests must be performed by a veterinarian to identify a specific allergen. If you’ve altered your dog’s diet in any way, dog tears could be an allergic reaction to a particular food ingredient. To identify the specific food ingredient that caused your eyes to become watery, try an elimination diet and then make the necessary changes.
The likelihood that some dust or dirt got into an eyelash is high if your dog cries after digging in the backyard. Typically, it’s very benign, and the dog’s tears will soon stop. To find out what’s causing this condition, you may need to take your dog to the vet if the tears don’t stop.
Seek the advice of a veterinarian if your dog has wet, crying eyes. Most of the time, an online consultation would be sufficient to determine whether there is a serious problem or just a small one that will go away after a few days with more care. Try Online Vet by Petcube for round-the-clock veterinary assistance; you can have an online chat at any time with a qualified veterinarian.
The fact that our dog is crying but not necessarily out of emotion But once we realize that canines have their own means of expressing emotion, we realize that tears might actually be a sign of something else.
While it may be natural to want to comfort our dogs when they cry, it’s crucial to keep in mind that a serious condition may have a different cause for their teary eyes.
Suppose your dog’s tears don’t subside easily. In that case, it’s best to have them examined by a veterinarian to ascertain the precise cause of their watery eyes and assist them in receiving necessary medical care. Share this Article.
Allergies
Similar to humans, dogs can experience allergies that make their eyes water. Several things, such as pollen, dust, dander, smoke, or food ingredients, can cause allergies in dogs. To determine what is causing the allergic reaction, a veterinarian may need to perform a few tests or place the dog on a special elimination diet.
It’s crucial to consult your veterinarian for an official diagnosis if your dog has excessive watering of the eyes, as there are numerous potential causes.
We’ve all fallen for the sad gaze and heartbreaking whimper. However, if your dog is tearing up or you notice any signs of fluid in their eyes, something else may be wrong. Tear ducts keep the eyes clean and functioning correctly. But unlike in humans, the fluid returns to the nose and throat.
Certainly, dogs use a number of vocalizations to express themselves. Puppies are taught to whimper or whine in order to attract their mother’s attention. This behavior often carries into adulthood. Your dog may “cry” to let you know that he needs something, such as food, water, a bathroom break, or simply a friendly pat. ”.
You are aware that your dog has feelings because he is a sensitive creature who is prone to happiness, fear, sadness, and a variety of other emotions. And of course, like most mammals, dogs have tear ducts. Consequently, there is no link between a dog’s brain and his tear ducts. Although dogs vocally express their needs and desires, there is no scientific proof that dogs or any other animals actually cry in response to their emotions. We seem to be the only species that can cry out of emotion.
Yes, dogs do cry if by crying we mean whimpering, howling, meowing, or whining. However, tears are only enigmatically linked to our hearts and brains in humans.
FAQ
How do you know when a dog is crying?
Dogs don’t cry when they are sad, unlike people, so their whimpering actually sounds more like crying to a dog. Whimpering or whining vocalizations, as well as a lack of enthusiasm for their preferred snacks or toys, are all indications that your dog is depressed, according to Caughill.
What do dogs do when crying?
Previous studies have demonstrated that dogs are extremely sensitive to their owners’ sobs. A recent study found that they will also overcome obstacles to reach them. The dogs “rescued” their owners by opening a door after hearing them sob.
Are dogs actually sad when they cry?
According to a recent study, dogs cry emotionally in a manner similar to that of humans: NPR According to a recent study, dogs exhibit emotional crying behaviors that are similar to those of humans. But not everyone in the veterinary community is convinced.
What does a dog cry sound like?
The sound of a dog crying is typically an accentuated whine or whimper.