When dogs cry do they have tears

If you are in tune with your dog’s body language or vocalizations, you know that he is almost always trying to say something. Dogs don’t laugh, but a wagging tail and an eager face seem easy to interpret as joy. Pain and sorrow are a different matter and more difficult to read. So, do dogs cry tears? Are a dog’s whimpers, whines and howls the same as human weeping? Can dogs cry or even sympathize with us when we’re sad? Let’s start with the basics.

Do dogs have tear ducts?

Before we answer, “Do dogs cry tears?” let’s talk about dog tear stains. Those rust-colored trails leading away from the eyes of a light- or white-coated dog — are more than enough proof that dogs do have tear ducts. Tear staining, also known as epiphora, is basically excessive tear production. It happens to darker-coated dogs as well, though it’s harder to see. Why do dogs have tears, if not for crying?

So, the answer to, “Do dogs cry tears?” is that there are three kinds of tears, and dogs make use of two: basal and reflexive. Basal tears keep a dog’s eyes wet and functioning. They are produced constantly, if slowly. Reflexive tears protect the eyes and work to flush out debris like dirt, pollen and other irritants.

Do dogs cry tears for emotional reasons?

When we question, “Do dogs cry tears?” what we’re really asking is if they respond to stimuli — physical or emotional — in the same way we do. This third variety is called “emotional tears.” Our tear ducts make and issue them faster and in greater volume than either basal or reflexive tears. Emotional tears are the only ones that canine tear ducts don’t produce.

A dog’s tears are necessary and functional. For the most part, dog vocalizations serve practical purposes and don’t accompany tears. Dogs bark or howl when they sense a threat. They whine when they want food, exercise or attention.

Dogs in distress

What about separation anxiety, which involves a wide range of expressions? We’ve all heard dogs whimper and whine with all the subtlety of an alarm clock the moment their owners are out of sight. That’s something like crying. Others let us know how they feel by chewing up our favorite pair of shoes or pooping on the carpet.

How do we interpret the yips and yelps that accompany sudden injury? People in pain can weep for extended periods of time. Dogs, on the other hand, don’t tend to sound out physical pain beyond the moment it happens. The lack of vocal signs is one reason why changes in behavior, energy levels and feeding habits are more reliable ways to tell when a dog is hurt or sick.

Do dogs respond to our tears?

If the answer to, “Do dogs cry tears?” is that dogs don’t cry tears like humans might, can dogs sympathize with us when we cry? Dogs may not cry in the same way or for the same reasons that we do, but there’s no doubt they are in tune with our emotional states.

Several years ago, I messed up my knee. I managed to get myself home that night and had an extraordinary experience. The moment I opened my car door, my dog, Tina, let out a long, strange noise that took me by complete surprise.

I had no doubt that she was responding to my pain. In our nine years together, I never heard her make any sound like it before or again. Dogs may not express grief, sorrow, longing, loss, rage or joy through their tear ducts, but that doesn’t mean they don’t feel as keenly.

Thumbnail: Photography ©retales botijero | Getty Images.

Melvin Peña is a writer, editor, social media manager and SEO specialist who spends most of his time in Durham, North Carolina. His interests include his dog, Baby (of course!), art, hiking, urban farming and karaoke.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you!

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If you’ve ever looked into your dog’s eyes while they’re being reprimanded, after they’ve stepped on a sharp thorn, or as they watch you leave for the day, then you don’t have to be an expert on dog behavior to know that dogs can certainly feel sad—and show it. But do dogs cry? Your sweet pooch could suffer from dog depression or dog anxiety, and they certainly make noises that sound a lot like crying to us, particularly if we’re trying to train them not to sleep on our bed at night. We just had to find out if those heartbreaking puppy sounds mean that dogs can cry like humans, so we asked the experts.

Do dogs cry?

Dogs experience a range of emotions including happiness, frustration, love, boredom, joy, grief, loyalty, and, yes, sadness, says Linda Simon, a licensed veterinarian and veterinary consultant for ThePets. “And they have ways of expressing each of those feelings,” she adds. However, crying probably isn’t one of those expressions of sadness.

The bottom line is that dogs do not express sadness the same way we do. “People love to ‘humanize’ our four-legged friends, but while it is fun to assume dogs think the way we do, that’s just not the case,” says veteran dog trainer and behaviorist Jen Jones, founder of Your Dog Advisor. “Dogs are less complicated than humans are, particularly when it comes to their emotions.” If you think you’re overthinking your dog’s feelings, know that this is what your dog is actually thinking about.

Dogs feel sad for many of the same reasons we do, like pain, loneliness, loss, and grief, says Dr. Simon. While most doggy sadness is brief, sometimes they can experience very deep and long-lasting sadness. For instance, there have been verified accounts of bereaved dogs who have waited loyally by gravesites day in and day out, longing for their deceased owners to return. Remember, there are lots of ways that pets say, “I love you.”

Those aren’t the only reasons, though. Another potential source of sadness is your dog’s compassion for you. When their human is sad, a dog will often express sadness as well, even if they don’t understand why you are upset, Jones says.

Dogs are more emotionally intelligent than we give them credit for, particularly when it comes to reading the feelings of their people—which is just one of the things your dog knows about you. “They are incredibly cued into our feelings, emotions, facial expressions, and even our health,” Jones says. “So, while dogs can’t express sadness or think about it in the same complex way humans do, they certainly do understand and feel much more than we might realize.”

How do dogs cry?

Dogs can cry in one of two ways: vocally, in a way that tugs at our heartstrings, and with tears. When it comes to those sad-sounding noises, your pooch is most likely trying to express excitement, frustration, anxiety, or pain. They could also be seeking attention, looking for a treat, or they might need to be let out to do their business. If your dog cries at night, and you don’t let them sleep in your room, they’re probably hoping to be let in to sleep with you. It could also be one of these things your dog wishes you knew.

However, Dr. Simon notes that humans appear to be the only animals that cry tears of emotion, so if you see your pup’s eyes getting watery, those tears most likely aren’t indicative of their feelings. But what do those dog tears mean?

Similar to humans, dogs’ eyes produce tears to keep them clean, protected, and lubricated. However, canine tear ducts are structured differently, funneling the liquid back into their body, rather than spilling out over their cheeks. So if you see your dog “crying” tears, a call to the vet might be in order. According to Dr. Simon, this can signal a blocked tear duct, allergies, something in their eye, an infection, or an injury to the eye. Watch out for signs your dog is actually sick.

How do dogs express sadness?

Dogs can cry like humans, but it doesn’t mean exactly the same thing as when we cry from our emotions. However, when it comes to communicating sadness, dogs have their own distinctive ways, Jones says. When dogs cry, here’s what it could mean.

Whimpering or whining. This is one of the first ways that dogs learn to communicate, as puppies instinctually use this noise to “cry out” for their mother. As adult animals, they may continue to use whimpering to communicate with you, particularly if you are responsive to it.

Shaking or trembling. Some dogs will shake or tremble when they are upset, particularly as a response to being reprimanded or to something that scares them, Dr. Simon says.

Hiding. Some dogs, especially those that are sensitive, may hide away in their “safe place,” like in a crate or under a bed, when they are sad, Dr. Simon says. You might also notice this behavior if you have an anxious pet. If that’s the case, there are products that could help your dog’s anxiety.

Asking for extra snuggles. Many dogs will seek human comfort when they are sad; this is often the case if their sadness is related to pain, illness, loneliness, or boredom. If your dog is acting particularly needy, he may be feeling down.

Ignoring you. Refusing to make eye contact with you, not listening to commands, turning his back to you, or going into another room are ways that less sensitive dogs may show they are sad or upset with you, Dr. Simon says.

Unique cues. Since humans and their pups often have a special bond, some behavior will be unique to them, Jones says. This means you are the one most likely to understand when your dog is sad, and why. For instance, your dog may bring you a comfort object like his blanket, make a unique noise, or do a particular gesture with his paw. The important thing isn’t how he’s showing his sadness but rather that you understand it—and give him extra love. Getting to know your dog’s communication style is one of the habits of great dog owners.

Sources:

• Linda Simon, MVB, MRCVS, licensed veterinarian and veterinary consultant for ThePets
• Jen Jones, veteran dog trainer and behaviorist, and the founder of Your Dog Advisor

Originally Published: April 21, 2022