Key Takeaways

  • Dogs do cry, but it’s not the same as human crying 🐕
  • When they are sad, dogs usually whimper and whine, not cry 🐕
  • Excessive crying might be a sign of some underlying medical condition 🐕

Do Dogs Cry?

Do Dogs Cry

There’s a lot of debate over whether or not dogs cry, and the answer isn’t completely clear. Some people believe that dogs produce tears as a way to express their emotions, just like humans do. Others believe that the tears are simply a result of dog allergies or other medical issues. However, there hasn’t been any scientific evidence to support either side of this argument. So, do dogs cry? The answer to this question is still up for debate.

Can Dogs Express Emotions?

What we do know is that dogs are capable of expressing a wide range of emotions, just like humans. They can feel happiness, sadness, love, and anger, among other things. And just like with humans, these emotions can sometimes be expressed through tears.

So it’s definitely possible that dogs do cry as a way to express their feelings. However, there hasn’t been any concrete evidence to support this claim. And until there is, we won’t know for sure whether or not dogs cry like we do.

But even if dogs don’t cry in the traditional sense, they still have the ability to communicate their feelings to us in a powerful way. For example, studies have shown that when dogs are happy they wag their tails more vigorously, when they are sad they tilt their heads downward, and when they are afraid they tuck their tails between their legs.

It is important to note that just because dogs can express emotions does not mean that they always do so. In fact, many dogs may not show any outward signs of how they are feeling, and may only reveal their emotions through their behavior. This means that it is often up to us humans to interpret the emotions that our dogs are feeling. With time and patience, however, we can usually learn to read our dog’s emotional cues fairly accurately.

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Can Dogs Produce Tears?

Can Dogs Produce Tears

Dogs have tear ducts and lacrimal glands, which allow them to produce real tears. However, it is unknown if dogs actually cry out of sadness or happiness. Some people believe that dogs can cry because they can make tears, while others believe that dogs cannot make tears and only produce mucus. Studies have not been able to prove either side correct, so the answer to this question is still unknown.

What we do know is that dogs use their tears in a number of ways. Dogs will use their tears to clean their eyes, to signal dominance or submission, and to show affection. In fact, when a dog licks another dog’s face, they are often licking away the other dog’s tears. This may imply that dogs clearly understand the importance of tears and what they can signify.

My Dog Is Crying – Possible Health Problems

So, why do dogs cry? Let’s take a look at some possible health issues, dogs might be expressing by crying. 

If your dog has watery eyes, it could be a sign that they are in pain or experiencing another health problem. Here are some of the most common causes of dog tears:

  1. Pain: Dogs can cry out in pain for a variety of reasons, such as injuries, arthritis, and dental problems.
  2. Infection: A bacterial or viral infection can cause a dog to cry from the pain and discomfort it causes.
  3. Allergies: Dogs can experience allergies just like people do, and these allergies can cause them to cry excessively.
  4. Stress: Dogs can become stressed from changes in their environment or routine, which can lead to them crying excessively.
  5. Ear infections: Ear infections are a common issue in dogs and can cause them to cry from the pain and discomfort it causes.
  6. Bladder infections: Dogs can develop bladder problems, which can lead to them crying while they urinate.
  7. Other health concerns: Dogs can experience a wide variety of other health problems that can cause them to cry.

If your dog is crying a lot, it is important to take him or her to the veterinary clinic to determine the cause of the trouble. The veterinarian will be able to perform tests and diagnose the issue so that it can be treated.

Editor’s Note

It’s important to note that a few occasional tears are usually not serious. There could have been dust in your pooch’s eye, or he smelled something funny. So pay attention to the frequency and the environment of when your dog is crying. 

Signs of Sadness in Dog Behavior (Not Only Crying Tears)

Signs of Sadness in Dog Behavior

Dogs are known as man’s best friend for a reason. They are always happy to see us and are always there for us when we need them. However, just like people, their canine friends can get sad too. But they don’t have to shed tears to show us that there is something wrong. Here are some ways to tell if your dog is feeling down:

  • they stop eating or drinking;
  • they stop playing or interacting with you and other animals;
  • they have a decreased appetite;
  • they have a decrease in energy;
  • their tail is between their legs, or they are cowering away from people or other animals;
  • their eyes may be red or watery;
  • their vocalization is changed: they whine, whimper or howl much more than they normally do.
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How Can You Help When Your Dog Is Sad?

If you notice any of these signs in your dog, it is important to take them to the vet to get checked out. There may be an underlying medical condition causing your dog’s sadness, and it is best to rule that out before starting any type of behavior modification or treatment.

If there is no underlying medical condition, then you can start working on helping your dog feel better. This may include things like increasing their exercise, providing more playtime, or working on obedience training to increase the bond between you and your canine friend. No matter what, it is important to be patient and understanding with your dog during this time. They are relying on you to help them through it.

All in all, do dogs cry? Yes, but not necessarily in a way we do. Dogs are capable of experiencing a wide range of emotions and are able to understand emotions of their owners. This makes them some of the most complex creatures on earth and is one of the many reasons why we love them so much.

Do Dogs Cry FAQs

Do Dogs Cry FAQs

How Do You Know When a Dog Is Crying?

One of the most common ways to tell when a dog is crying is through his body language. Dogs express themselves mainly through physical cues, so it’s important to pay attention to their behaviors. One clear signal may be that they are whimpering or whining, which indicates an emotional response. This could mean that they are feeling scared, stressed, frustrated or bored.

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Do Dogs Cry Tears When Sad?

When a human is sad, it’s common to see tears flowing from their eyes. We’ve all had that experience in our lives. But when it comes to canine companions, there isn’t quite as much evidence of them crying tears when they are feeling distressed or unhappy. 
Dogs do express their emotions in other ways, though, such as through body language and behavior – like cowering during thunderstorms or trembling when fearful. Tears may be an additional mechanism for showing sadness in animals, but unfortunately there hasn’t been any empirical research on the subject yet, so no one knows with certainty whether they really cry emotional tears or not. 

Do Dogs Understand Human Crying?

Yes, dogs absolutely understand human crying! It might not be in the same way we do, but our canine companions are quite intuitive when it comes to emotions and recognize how humans are feeling. Studies show that dogs can pick up on what’s different when someone is upset or sad through subtle changes in body language and vocal cues. 


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