It’s the unsaid rule and wishes of every paw parent to keep their furbaby happy and they can do anything for it. This way when they see their dog crying they get all stressed up and try to know what to do and what not to do. In such a situation, the common question which might pop up is, “Warning signs your dog is crying for help”.
Through our blog let’s together figure out the reason for your dog’s crying. Let’s know if the crying is a warning sign or just a casual mood swing of your dog and what to do to stop that.
How To Tell if Your Dog Is Crying for Help?
Just like humans dogs feel the pain, they too get bored, sad, anxious and stressed up. We, humans, have our ways of displaying our emotions, the same is the case with the dog. A dog too through their actions expresses their emotions[1]. It is easy to figure out if your dog is happy, excited and angry, but the difficulty arises when the dog cries.
It is tough to know if your dog is crying or not and if yes then what may be the reason. No need to worry that’s what we are here for to help you know if your dog is crying for help or not.
To know if your dog is crying for help or not observe their body language. Here are the ways to understand a dog’s emotions:
- If a dog is crying for help he will whim continuously and won’t stop crying even after receiving positive reinforcements.
- A dog will shake and tremble while crying this is a clear indication that your dog needs help.
- A dog in need of help will pant heavily while crying, they do so to reduce their distress and discomfort.
- Touch your dog and if he whins loudly on touching a particular area then it can be a sign that he is hurt there. This might mean that your dog is suffering from some sort of internal injury.
- If your dog displays a lack of interest in eating and playing along with crying them this is a sign of him suffering from health issues. To confirm this you need to consult a vet immediately.
- One of the reasons for your dog crying might be stress, boredom and fear. If this is a reason then try to identify the cause as this is a serious issue too.
As mentioned in bechewy:
“A dog in pain or discomfort will often whine to signal distress. This might happen if they’re suffering from an illness, have sustained an injury or are experiencing a chronic condition such as arthritis.”
“Their whining could be an attempt to communicate their discomfort or need for help.”
Warning Signs Your Dog Is Crying for Help
A dog might be crying for several reasons it can be to seek attention or to ask for food these reasons don’t require you to worry. Here are some warning signs to notice to know if your dog is crying for help:
- Shaking: Along with crying if your dog is shaking then it is a sign that your dog needs help. He might be crying due to pain, or anxiety or must be scared.
- Pacing: A dog pacing here and there seems normal but when it is done along with crying then it signs to worry. This can be a sign that something is bothering your dog.
- Excessive barking: Usually dogs bark to express their desire, but if the barking continues then it can be due to some pain and discomfort. This pain should be addressed immediately.
- Lethargic: Dogs are always full of energy, so if they seem lethargic to you then it can be possible that something is wrong with them and they need help.
- Panting: Dogs do pant after physical stimulation and it is quite normal they do it to regulate their body temperature. But if the panting increases then it’s a sign your dog’s body is heating too much, which makes him cry in discomfort.
- Change in behaviour: This behavioural change[2] is the most important warning sign to notice to know if there is something wrong with your dog. If you see a sudden shift in your dog’s habits and mood like hiding away, not interacting or loss of appetite then this is a sign of warning.
What To Do if Your Dog Is Crying for Help?
Here’s what you can do to help your crying dog:
- Identify the cause of your dog’s crying. Check if your dog is suffering from any injury, illness, fear or anxiety. This will help you to help your dog better after knowing the reason.
- Provide your dog comfort. Pet your dog and talk to them softly and in a baby voice. You can also try giving them a good massage and using the aromatherapy.
- Go for professional help. If you are unable to help stop your dog from crying you can consult a behaviourist and a vet. If your dog is crying due to illness or injury then the vet can help you identify the cause. Behaviourists too are trained professionals that can help you deal with your dog easily. They have expertise in identifying dog’s behaviour.
FAQs
How do I know if a dog is crying?
To know if your dog is crying or not you have to notice their voice and the changes occurring in it. To cry dogs normally wimp, apart from this they will be shaking as well as trembling. If your dog suddenly starts whimping then he might be upset about something and crying this way to get your attention.
Why do dogs cry for help?
The reason why dogs cry for help may vary. Dogs tend to cry for many reasons. They can cry if they are scared, sad or if they want food. These reasons are common and you may need not to worry about them.
What happens if a dog cries?
If your always playful and cheerful dog starts crying then the reason for it might be some pain or injury in the dog. So if your dog cries then check if they are in pain or any sort of discomfort and treat them accordingly.
How do you treat a crying dog?
To treat a crying dog you must first identify the cause of crying. Check if your dog is in pain or not, try to pacify him by providing treats and use positive reinforcements. Provide them with toys take them for outings and if still they continue to do so consult a vet immediately.
Why won’t my old dog stop crying?
Old dogs as it is suffering from many health issues which cause them pain and discomfort. They have issues like arthritis which causes extreme pain due to which they might cry. Apart from this their mobility and physical stimulation are restricted considering their age which might bore them make them sad and lead to crying.
Conclusion
Seeing your furbaby is never an easy and pleasurable sight for any paw parent and you may try all the possible means to provide them relief. But sometimes the confusion is whether your dog is crying to seek attention or is something bothering him genuinely. We hope through our blog, “Warning signs your dog is crying for help” you will get clarity.
If you are not able to identify the cause of your dog’s crying you can seek professional help. Don’t ignore your crying dog mistaking it their drama as it can be due to a serious health issue or injury.
Reference:
- What kind of emotions do animals feel? (n.d.). Greater Good.
- Managing reactive behavior. (2023, May 5). Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
