Dogs have lived alongside humans for thousands of years as companions and helpers. As pet owners, we feel we can understand our dogs’ emotions and feelings. When we see tears in our dogs’ eyes, a natural question arises – are dogs really crying?
Do dogs have tear ducts?
Yes, dogs do have tear ducts and produce tears. However, dogs produce tears for different reasons than humans.
In humans, tears are linked with emotions and crying. Our tear ducts produce tears when we experience strong emotions, and these tears overflow from the eyes down the cheeks.
Dogs have tear ducts to produce tears to keep their eyes lubricated. A dog’s tear ducts produce tears that contain water, mucin, lipids, electrolytes, and proteins. The tears flow across the eye surface to wash away debris and keep the eye moist.
However, this doesn’t mean dogs don’t experience emotions. Dogs have rich emotional lives and feel happiness, sadness, anxiety, and more. But unlike humans, excess emotion does not trigger extra tear production in dogs.
Why do dogs’ eyes water?
There are a few reasons why you may notice more tears in your dog’s eyes or wetness around the eyes:
- Irritation – Dogs’ eyes may water due to irritation from dust, wind, or allergens. The extra tears help flush out the irritant.
- Infection – Tear staining around the eyes may indicate an eye infection. This requires veterinary treatment.
- Blocked tear ducts – Sometimes a dog’s tear duct can become blocked. This prevents drainage and causes excess tearing.
- Emotion – While dogs don’t cry from emotions, whining or excitement may trigger slightly increased tear production.
- Old age – Tear production may increase slightly as a normal change with age.
In most cases, some wetness around a dog’s eyes is normal and keeps the eyes comfortable. But significant tearing, redness, or discharge could indicate a health problem.
Do dogs cry tears when they are sad?
Dogs do not produce emotional tears. However, they do express emotions through facial expressions and vocalizations.
When dogs feel sad or upset, they may:
- Whine or bark
- Howl
- Groan
- Tuck tail
- Pin ears back
- Lower their heads
- Refuse food
- Become less active
Some of these behaviors, like whining or barking, can cause slight eye watering. But the tears are due to physical eye irritation rather than emotion.
Do puppies cry tears?
Puppies do not cry tears in the emotional sense. However, puppies’ eyes may water more frequently for the following reasons:
- Immature tear production system – Young puppies’ tear ducts are still developing. The tear drainage system matures at around 6-8 weeks old.
- Less fur around eyes – Puppies have less fur around their eyes compared to adult dogs. Less fur means less protection from irritation.
- Punctum plugs – Some puppies have punctum plugs covering the tear duct openings. These temporarily block drainage until the plugs fall out around 4 weeks old.
Puppies may have slightly watery eyes as their tear systems develop. But excess wetness, discharge, or swelling could indicate an eye problem and requires veterinary attention.
When should you be concerned about a dog’s tear stains?
Some minor tearing and wetness is normal in dogs. But look out for these signs of a potential health problem:
- Excessive tear staining down the face
- Cloudy, colored, or foul smelling discharge
- Crusty buildup around the eyes
- Red, swollen, or irritated eyes
- Squinting, pawing, or rubbing at the eyes
- Loss of appetite or lethargy
- Hair loss around eyes
Signs like these could indicate an eye infection, blocked tear duct, or other irritation. It’s best to make an appointment with your veterinarian for an exam.
How can you help reduce tear stains?
For mild tearing, you can help reduce tear stains using these tips:
- Gently wipe the face daily with a warm, wet cloth to remove built-up tears.
- Clean the facial hair to prevent yeast or bacteria from worsening staining.
- Rinse irritated eyes with saline eye wash.
- Switch to stainless steel, ceramic, or glass food and water bowls to reduce bacterial growth.
- Add omega fatty acids to your dog’s diet to improve coat and skin health.
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to dry air that can irritate eyes.
- Limit exposure to irritants like dust, pollen, and cigarette smoke.
For severe tear staining or discomfort, see your veterinarian for assessment and treatment. With their guidance, you can keep your dog’s eyes healthy and comfortable.
Conclusion
When we see wet fur or tears around a dog’s eyes, it’s natural to wonder if dogs cry. While dogs do produce tears, they do not cry emotionally like humans do. Excess tears are usually due to eye irritation rather than sadness. However, dogs do communicate their feelings through facial expressions and vocalizations. Some tearfulness may be normal, but excessive tearing or eye discomfort warrants a veterinary visit. With attentive care and treatment when needed, you can keep your furry friend’s eyes happy and healthy.