06 Nov Do the dogs cry?

There are different reasons why dogs cry; however, it’s commonly observed that these lovely pets cry when they’re in pain, sick or even excited. Dogs have lacrimal glands. These glands are responsible for producing tears in the eyes. Epiphora is a medical term for excessive tearing or watery eyes. To know the different causes and signs of dog crying, stay tuned to the end of this article.

Can a dog cry?

Dogs can easily understand the feeling of distress, and sometimes they cry because of their pain. Research has shown that sometimes dogs grieve for the loss of their spouse and children or even other dogs they have a relationship with. Sometimes these discomforts even lead to tears in these lovely dogs. Of course, dogs sometimes show their pain in different ways, such as silence or even pulling their ears back and becoming withdrawn. It should also be added that sometimes it’s observed that they cry because of pain or illness.

Is it normal for a dog to cry?

Indeed, dogs crying can’t be natural because they cry due to pain and discomfort. As we mentioned in the previous section, these animals don’t always call out of sadness, and sometimes there are other reasons for these lovely dogs to cry. For example, sometimes these animals suffer from seasonal allergies and sensitivity to detergents, closed tear ducts, swelling of the dog’s eyes, redness and other problems related to dogs’ eyes such as infection, dust and polluted environment, damage to the cornea of ​​the eye, etc. So if you see your dog crying, It’s better to find its reason immediately.

Why does the dog cry?

Tear production is the body’s natural way of cleaning the eyes. Excess tear production can clean the eye from debris, pollen, dust and other irritants. In only one eye, excessive tear production and discharge can be caused by a blocked tear duct, injury, or contact with an irritant such as dust or dirt. However, tear production in both eyes is often a sign of a systemic problem, such as an infection or pollen allergy. The facial anatomy of pugs, boxers, bulldogs and other short-muzzled breeds may also cause these dogs to “cry” more. Many of these dogs have narrow tear ducts, and their eyes have more contact with air. It means that they are more stimulated, and at the same time, they are less able to discharge secretions naturally. Dogs are very compassionate and kind and can easily understand the feelings of others. It’s better to keep an eye on your beloved dog from time to time. Now, we will examine the critical reasons why these furry friends cry.

Sickness

Diseases can make a dog’s eyes watery. Sometimes these lovely friends are seen crying because of illness. Of course, in these cases, it’s better to take your dog to the veterinary clinic immediately. Typically, in this situation, a veterinarian may perform several tests and prescribe a special diet for your dog to treat him.

Discomfort

Dogs are very emotional and can feel sad when their owners are upset, away from them, or lose their family or other dogs. Therefore they sometimes cry out of frustration. Some people believe dogs commonly show their sadness and sympathy differently and don’t cry when they are sad. For example, their voice changes or they no longer do their daily tasks.

Allergy

Your dog could have seasonal allergies caused by other factors such as laundry detergent or food. If you suspect allergies cause your dog’s crying, take him to the vet for tests to help you identify and rule out allergies. Other allergy symptoms include:

• Cough
• urticaria
• swelling
• sneeze
• inflammation etc

If you notice other allergy symptoms, report them to your veterinarian. This information will help them narrow down the cause of your dog’s tears and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Blockage of tear ducts

Dogs have tear ducts that help maintain the function and health of their eyes. Unlike humans, whose tear ducts drain liquids, the tear ducts of dogs drain the fluid towards the throat and nose. If your dog’s tear ducts are blocked, tears may leak out. These eye discharges are known as epiphora. If your dog has epiphora, the fur around his eyes will become moist. These conditions can lead to skin irritation, brown fur staining, and redness around the eyes. If symptoms of blocked tear ducts persist for some time, take your dog to the vet.

Infection

If your dog produces yellow, mucus-filled or bloody tears instead of clear ones, it’s a sign of an eye infection. Other symptoms of an eye infection include swelling in the eye area or redness of the eye. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, you must take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Eye contact with irritants

Another reason your dog’s eyes are watery is when an irritant, such as dirt or dust, has gotten into their eyes. Lift their upper and lower eyelids slowly to check for possible contamination. In this case, the tears should only last as long as it takes to remove the dirt or dust. Wash the eye with cool water or an eye wash method approved by the veterinarian. If your dog’s eyesight is still showing signs of irritation, see your vet for help. If you see large stains damaging your pet’s eyes, don’t attempt to wash them out. Bandage the eye and go to the vet immediately. Ensure your dog doesn’t claw at his eyes before arriving at the office.

Corneal Abrasion

Another reason that causes discharge from dogs’ eyes is scratching the eye’s cornea. Corneal abrasions are more common in active and playful dogs that may be injured while playing with another dog. If your dog’s eye is watering and he keeps hitting it, take him to the vet to prevent severe damage to the vision due to corneal scratches.

The cause of excessive tear production in dogs

Diseases such as glaucoma, physical abnormalities such as inverted eyelids (entropion), or excess hair on the eyelashes (distichiasis) can also increase tear production in your dog’s eyes. In addition, to tear production, your dog’s health may give you other clues to a medical problem, including excessive blinking, closed eyes, yellow or green discharge, or clawing at the eyes. A veterinarian should check any issue related to your pet dog’s eye health. Excessive tear production can also cause tear stains. Dark reddish brown spots are more common in dogs with lighter-coloured fur. These stains are often removed with a combination of warm water and salt solution.

What do dogs do when they are sad?

Loss of appetite, whining, low energy levels, and lack of interest in toys and other favourite things are possible signs of sadness in dogs. But in general, these symptoms can indicate other problems. So, if you see these symptoms, you should contact a veterinarian to diagnose your dog’s problem correctly. The origin of health problems in dogs is as likely to be emotional as it can be physical. A dog with an upset stomach or a sore paw may show the same symptoms as a dog having an emotional reaction to a change in schedule or adding a new member to the family.

If all possible medical causes have been ruled out and the behaviour change appears to be due to depression in the dog, your vet may prescribe antidepressants. You can also boost their mood by walking them, giving them positive rewards, such as petting and playing with them, and offering them favourite treats. Even though dogs don’t physically cry when they’re sad, you should know they feel sad too. So remember to talk to your vet if you notice any behavioural changes. A change in a dog’s behaviour may be a sign of a severe health problem.

Why do dogs cry when they sleep?

Sometimes dog owners observe that their dog cries while sleeping moves his legs and paws, or moans and growls. It’s better to know that dogs can also dream in their sleep. Considering this issue, when a dog dreams, he may move his legs and paws or even cry and whine.

Why is the puppy crying

Puppies may sometimes cry due to excitement, loss of a mother or family members, pain and allergies, and other cases. When you see your puppy crying, it’s better to take him to the vet immediately so that he can find the cause of your dog’s tears after the necessary and detailed examinations.

To wrap up

Dogs are highly social and affectionate. They are very dependent on their owners to the extent that they may cry when they see their owners after being away from them for a long time. Of course, the cause of a dog’s crying can be various factors, for example, sadness, pleasure and happiness, loss of a child and spouse, illness, etc. To have a healthy and lively dog, you need to pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. In all these steps, you can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs so they count the moments for the next session.