Mary Allen
If you spend a lot of time with your dog, you know that our four-legged friends have diverse emotions. You may have even seen a tear roll down your dog’s snout.
But dogs can cry, just like us, humans. Finally, dogs can also express other feelings through different behaviors.
Here’s what tears mean for your dog.
Do dogs cry out of grief?
The simple answer to the question is no, dogs don’t cry out of sadness. It’s different from us humans.
If you discover watery eyes in your dog, it does not mean that your darling is unhappy or even injured. Of course, a man’s best friend is also broken from time to time.
If your dog is really sad, it usually shows this through a change in its behavior. For example, it often happens that sad dogs do not show an appetite and do not want to play.
Dogs also show sadness by changing their sleep patterns. It is striking how often they seek the closeness of their humans. And often they let their owner know by whimpering and whimpering.
Fortunately, grief in dogs usually does not last very long. If you notice that your dog seems unhappy, it can help to cheer him up with cuddles, nice walks, or meeting other four-legged friends.
Causes of tears in dogs
Even though dogs don’t shed tears for emotional reasons, they can still cry at times.
As in humans, a certain amount of tear fluid is completely normal in dogs. And tears are even healthy. In this way, the eye is moistened and cleaned.
Watery eyes in four-legged friends usually have one of the following causes:
- eye inflammation
- allergies
- injuries
- Foreign body irritation in the eye
- irritation
- Clogged tear ducts
However, if you notice that your dog seems to be crying, then this may indicate a health problem. In this case, it is advisable to consult your veterinarian. This is the only way you can be sure that the tears are not caused by a serious illness and, if the worst comes to the worst, take timely action.
This is especially important if you have eye problems to protect your dog’s vision. We now explain in detail the possible reasons for tears in dogs.
Eye inflammation
Tears in dogs are often triggered by eye infections such as conjunctivitis. If your four-legged friend has an eye infection, then his eyes are usually swollen and reddened.
The tears are usually cloudy and yellowish. If you notice these signs in your dog, then you should go to your vet immediately so that your darling does not suffer any long-term damage.
Luckily several eye drops are very helpful.
Allergies
As with humans, certain allergies such as pollen or grass can cause your dog’s eyes to run. Clear tears indicate allergies, especially if they are accompanied by frequent sneezing or slight swelling.
In this case, the trigger can be clarified by an allergy test at the veterinarian. Allergies in dogs are usually easy to get under control with medication.
Injuries and irritations
External injuries and irritation of the eyes also often cause tears in dogs. For example, when playing or walking, dirt can get into the eyes.
Foreign bodies in the eye cause the tear ducts to run at full speed. In this case, you can try to remove the contamination yourself and, if necessary, rinse with lukewarm water.
However, if the irritation has caused an injury to the cornea, you should not hesitate and seek veterinary help.
Irritations
Even without allergies, certain substances cause eye irritation in dogs. Different sources can be the cause here. For example, some dogs react negatively to cleaning products, scented candles, car exhaust fumes, or perfume.
In this case, too, the tears are clear and disappear when the dog is no longer near the trigger. If you suspect irritation as the cause, it usually helps to ban the triggering substance from the home.
Clogged tear duct?
It can happen in dogs where the tear ducts are temporarily blocked. This prevents the tear fluid from draining away. And it looks like the dog is crying.
However, a blocked tear duct is harmless in most cases. Gently clean your pet’s eyes with lukewarm water and remove any accumulated dirt.
If the tears still don’t go away, you should consult a veterinarian.
Which dog cries tears more?
In some dog breeds, such as Maltese, the tear flow can lead to reddish discoloration in the area around the eyes. This is known as a tear duct, tear stain, or tear stone.
They are caused by the pigment porphyrin, which is found in the tear fluid of the dog. It is deposited on the fur by the tears and becomes visible over time.
How do get rid of tear stains on dogs?
Unless the tearing is caused by a medical condition, these spots are not a health problem. At most a cosmetic problem, because the tear ducts look ugly, especially in white dogs.
That is why many dog owners would like to get rid of them.
If you have frequent problems with tear ducts, you may be able to improve this by changing the feed. The rust-red spots are often caused by feeding cheap chicken meat.
If you switch to high-quality, organic feed with a low grain content, the tear ducts can significantly decrease and even disappear completely. It also helps to gently clean your dog’s eye area daily with a soft cloth and lukewarm water.
Don’t be sad that dogs can’t cry
Dogs don’t cry out of sadness. However, many different health factors can trigger tears in dogs.
Pay particular attention to the color of the discharge. Bloody, cloudy, or yellowish tears are always a sign that you should see a veterinarian.