Do Dogs Cry or Just Tear Up?

Written and verified by the lawyer Francisco María García

Last update: 27 December, 2022

Crying means shedding tears. But, in addition, the term is also associated with an emotional factor. Tearing up is not always crying. When someone gets a speck of dust in his eye, it tears up. When a person feels pain or sadness, he cries. Now, what happens to animals? Do dogs cry in order to show their emotions?

Do dogs cry to show emotions?

Nobody doubts that animals feel. These creatures are extremely sensitive. Dogs feel pain, sadness, joy, euphoria and even anxiety. It is a very emotional species. It is because of this, perhaps, that the dogs seem so much like human beings. However, are dogs’ tears the result their emotions?

According to experts on the subject, dogs cry, but not for emotional reasons. Emotional tears are exclusive to the human race. It has not yet been shown that another species demonstrates this characteristic. Therefore, dogs do not cry in order to show their feelings, but this does not mean that the animals do not feel. Dogs show their emotions and feelings also through other types of behaviors.

Human beings are the only species that cries to feel pain, sadness, joy, and more emotions. Beyond this, tears have their own function. It is all about lubricating and protecting the eye. This is why all animal species cry, or at least you can say that they tear up.

Nevertheless, it is very common to see a dog cry. On many occasions, this is due to external factors. The climate and the microbes of the environment are the most frequent causes of an animal crying. Many dogs even suffer from complex eye diseases. The main symptom that these present is crying. Even so, it is always a physical issue. The emotional side is not present in this situation.

How do dogs show their emotions?

If dogs do not cry, in the sentimental connotation, how do they show their emotions? There are many behaviors that will demonstrate how they feel. Animals have many resources and a dog will always let his human family know his mood.

A dog’s principal behaviors when sharing its feelings

• Howl: This is a clear symptom of sadness or intense pain. A dog can also howl when he feels lonely. On the other hand, many dogs howl when they are immensely happy. The howl is a characteristic sign of the animal’s most intense emotions.
• Groaning: Usually, a groan is a symptom of discomfort or pain. Dogs groan when they do not feel comfortable. It may be due to malaise, both physical and emotional.
• Barking: Barking also connotes a lot of emotional significance. When a dog barks uncontrollably, it can be a sign of pleasant happiness. Crisper and choppier barks can indicate fear and distrust.
• Wagging his tail: When a dog wags his tail slightly, it is usually because he is anxious. In general, this gesture connotes enthusiasm. It is very common for a dog to wag his tail when he wants to play or go for a walk.

More indicative signs

Although we have seen the main signals, there are also other ways to detect emotions in an animal. A dog that does not eat and lays around all day may feel sad. Animals are very intuitive. This helps them perceive everything that happens in their environment.

On many occasions, dogs will internalize everything that happens around them. The animal acts like a sponge, absorbing all the energies of his environment. When these are not very good, the animal’s spirit will become increasingly decayed. A dog is very similar to a child in the sense that they are able to perceive everything around them.

Eyes, looks and tears

A dog’s eyes also reflect his mood. It is enough to just look at them to know how the animal feels. Intuitive people can detect an emotion very well through a glance. This happens both in people and in animals.

In conclusion, it can be said that dogs cry, but not because of emotions. More and more scientific studies confirm this fact.