Mary Allen
When we are sad, tears roll down our faces. Do dogs cry with grief too? Or what do the wet eyes of four-legged friends mean?
First things first: Unlike humans, dogs don’t cry for emotional reasons. To express feelings, four-legged friends may, for example, whimper, howl. Also, when many dogs are sad, they no longer want to do what they usually enjoy.
This means that if your dog is crying, there are usually other reasons. We explain to you:
Allergies
Watery eyes, like in humans, may indicate an allergy. Seasonal plants and some food or detergents can cause allergic reactions. If you suspect your dog is allergic, you should take it to your veterinarian. Here’s how to find out why and avoid it. Other signs of an allergy include rash, swelling, sneezing, or coughing.
Blocked Tear Duct
When tear ducts are blocked in dogs, tear fluid can overflow. Then it looks like the dogs are crying. From a medical point of view, this is called epiphora. Since the fur around the eyes is often damp, skin irritation can occur. If the tear ducts remain blocked for a long time, your dog should see a veterinarian.
Inflammation or Irritation of the Eyes
Another cause of watery eyes in dogs is sore or irritated eyes. For example, yellow, slimy, or bloody tears indicate eye infections. Often, the eyes also become swollen and reddened. If you notice these signs, take your dog to your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Eye irritation is less dramatic: it happens, for example, when sand or other dirt gets into your dog’s eyes. To test this, you can gently lift your dog’s eyelids and look for debris. The eyes should only be watered until the destructive factor has been removed. You can also gently rinse your eyes with cold water. If none of this helps, the same applies here: to the vet.
Injured Cornea
If you find larger particles of dirt in your eye, contact your veterinarian immediately. Then don’t try to rinse off the dirt; this could scratch the cornea. Even then, tears will surely flow. You guessed it, it’s best to go to the vet before your dog’s vision becomes irreversible.
Takeaway: If your dog whines a lot or becomes lethargic, as described above, you should worry about his emotional health. Watery eyes, on the other hand, indicate physical health problems – and should be examined urgently, preferably by a veterinarian.