Can Dogs Cry and Do Dogs Cry Tears?

Dogs have stood by their owners for thousands of years, reading their emotions and responding to them. It’s part of the reason the dog-human relationship is so strong. While dogs can read an owner’s mood, you might be wondering how your dog expresses their emotions. Your dog might make sad-sounding noises or appear to have watery eyes that cry, but these actions aren’t always what they seem. Here, discover if dogs can cry, what dog tears mean, and more.

Do Dogs Cry?

While dogs can read human emotions, they don’t process emotions the same way. Dogs don’t cry like we do, even though they can make noises that sound like crying and do produce “tears.” Dogs “cry” tears for several reasons, although none are emotional, including to clean and lubricate their eyes.

You shouldn’t notice a dog’s normal eye activity. If your dog has excessively watery and runny eyes, something else might be going on, such as:

• Allergies
• Eye infections, like pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Something in their eye, like fuzz
• Corneal ulcerations (loss of eye tissue) or inflammation of the eye
• Glaucoma
• Blocked tear ducts, something breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs experience
• Eye damage

While your dog can experience conditions like depression and anxiety, none of these eye symptoms are related to their emotions. Weepy eyes in dogs are a reason to consult with your vet about potential medical conditions.  

What Does Dog Whining Mean?

Dog whining and whimpering can sound like crying to humans. These vocalizations are linked to a dog’s emotions, unlike crying or runny eyes. Reasons your dog might be whining or whimpering include:

1. They’re anxious or scared: Dogs whine when stressed, such as when experiencing separation anxiety or if they are scared of something like fireworks.
2. They are excited: Some dogs bark when excited, and others whine or whimper to show their pleasure.
3. They want your attention: Dogs that want your attention might whine or whimper if they need to go outside, want to play, are hungry, or even if they are bored. Bored dogs can take it one step further and even howl as a way of expressing themselves. Giving your dog plenty of mental and physical stimulation can curb howling, whining, and whimpering due to boredom.
4. They’re in pain: Dogs whimper and whine when they are unwell or uncomfortable.
5. They’re communicating: Puppies learn to whine and whimper to communicate with their mothers, just like newborn babies do. Some dogs find this an effective way to communicate and keep the habit into adulthood.

Context clues, such as triggers, time of day, age, and body language, can help you figure out why your dog is whining and what it means, as well as give you insight into how to stop your dog from whining.

What Do Dog Tears Mean?

A dog “cries” tears to help lubricate their eyes, cleaning them and protecting them. They don’t shed tears for emotional reasons, but rather biological ones. If your dog looks like they are crying tears, something like allergies or blocked tear ducts could be the culprit. If your dog has red eyes that are tearing up, it could be something like dog pink eye or glaucoma. It’s best to check with your vet if your dog’s eyes look unusual.

Some dogs, especially lighter colored or white dogs, get tear stains. These are also not related to a dog’s emotions, but rather a result of iron in their eye discharge. Blocked tear ducts, allergies, and eye infections can cause tear stains.

What Emotions Do Dogs Feel?

Dogs don’t cry tears like humans, but they do feel emotions such as happiness, sadness, fear, anxiety, and even grief. They primarily show how they feel through body language. Dogs are also highly in tune with their owners’ emotions, and this emotional intelligence contributes to the strong bond between dog and owner.

How to Tell if Your Dog is Sad or Depressed

If something feels off with your dog and they seem depressed or sad, they won’t cry tears. But they will let you know in other ways that they’re going through a tough time. Signs that their mental state is off include:

• They lose interest in food or lose weight.
• They lose interest in activities like playtime or walks.
• They have changes in their sleep patterns.
• They are lethargic.
• They withdraw or hide from you.
• They excessively lick.
• They show destructive behavior like chewing and scratching.
• They whimper.
• They pace.
• They have accidents in the house.

Context clues, such as body language, can help you paint a more complete picture of your dog’s mood. Some of these symptoms can also be related to medical conditions, so if your dog doesn’t seem like himself, make an appointment to see your vet.

When to Contact a Vet

If your dog has any of the following symptoms, you should speak to a vet:

• Sudden changes in behavior or mood
• Excessive tearing, discharge, or redness in their eyes
• An increase in whining or whimpering
• Loss of appetite that lasts more than one day
• Lethargy
• Discomfort or pain

Your vet can help you figure out if your dog is sick or depressed and can give you proper medical advice, including treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Stop My Dog from Whining?

If your dog is excessively whining, there are some steps you can take to get them to stop. First, identify any triggers, such as boredom, attention, or anxiety. Bored or attention-seeking dogs should be ignored until they stop whining, and you should reward them when they are quiet. Make sure that your dog is mentally and physically stimulated to prevent whining in the first place. If your dog is anxious, you might need additional resources. Reach out to your vet or a behavioralist for help.

Should I Leave My Puppy to Cry at Night?

Puppy whining is complex. Your puppy might be whining at night because they are scared or anxious, or because they have to go to the bathroom. Ignoring a puppy’s cries can make them more anxious and cause them to have more accidents.

What Do You Do When a Puppy Cries in His Crate?

If your puppy is crying in his crate, try these steps to get them to get used to their crate:

1. Make sure the crate is the right size. They should be able to stand up, sit, and turn around.
2. Reassure them. New environments, including crates, can be a lot for puppies. Make soft soothing noises, give them soft blankets, and stay near them if you think they will find your presence comforting.
3. Work up to independence. Crate training is hard and takes time and patience. Gradually work your way up to leaving your puppy alone in their crate for longer periods.

Conclusion

Dogs have emotions; they just don’t show them like we do. If your dog looks like they are crying, it could be due to many factors, including common issues like pink eye or glaucoma. If your dog is whimpering, they could be expressing excitement or pain. If your dog is acting depressed, they very well could be. By understanding the way your dog expresses themselves, you can give your vet a better picture of how their behavior has changed so they can treat your pup more effectively.

 For more expert tips on dog behavior, explore our other understanding dogs articles.