Do dogs cry? The answer is yes, although it’s NOT the same as when you and I cry. They won’t secrete hot, salty tears or wail loudly like humans. So “why do Pugs cry so much?” Well, they have their reasons and I’ll explain them below.
Why Do Pugs Cry So Much?
Unlike you and I, dog’s can’t talk to let us know. This means that they have to resort to whining, howling, screaming, crying, or barking to communicate their feelings such as seeking attention, pain, anxiety, or frustrations.
Common Reasons Dogs Cry
There are several reasons that a dog will cry, Below, you’ll find some of the most common reasons dogs cry. This communication method is similar to how puppies interact with their mothers, with a whimper or wine to get something.
Let’s take a closer look at what can cause a dog to cry.
Toys
All dogs love their toys and some of them hate sharing. If your dog starts crying because of their toys, there’s a good chance that someone took their toy or maybe it rolled under the couch and they can’t reach it.
Pugs have short arms and if a toy rolls away from them, they will need help retrieving it. If your dog is constantly losing their toys, you may want to consider having them play in a canine playpen.
Potty Breaks
If you’ve left your Pug home all alone without access to a doggie door, it’s not unusual for them to cry out letting you know they have to go potty. Once a Pug is potty trained, they will hold it for as long as they can before peeing inside.
The best way to prevent them from crying every time they have to go pee is to give them access to a doggie door. This is what we did with Mindy and it was so much easier because she could go outside to pee whenever she needed.
You should know that if your dog cries out when he/she tries to urinate, you need to call your veterinarian. It could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or something more complex.
Food
Pugs love to eat and it’s not unusual for them to cry or whimper letting you know that it’s time for them to eat, especially, if you have a regular feeding schedule for them.
If your dog is crying while they are eating, it could be a sign that she has a bad tooth, gum disease, or tonsilitis, which is also known as an inflamed, swollen throat or tonsils. This is not normal behavior and should be checked immediately.
Water
If your dog is super excited about getting freshwater, they may show their enthusiasm by whining, crying, or even barking. This is completely normal, especially, if they haven’t had access to water in a few hours.
To prevent them from running out of the water, you may want to consider using an automatic dog water bowl or dog fountain, especially, if you have more than one dog in your house.
If your dog is crying while drinking water, you should seek medical attention to find out what is causing the pain.
Anxiety
Pugs love their humans and if your Pug suffers from separation anxiety, they can spend their whole days barking and/or whining.
This will require some work on your part, but it’s vital to understand how to stop separation anxiety in dogs to get peace in your home.
Why Do Pugs Cry At Night?
If you have an older dog, they may cry at night due to age-related cognitive issues. If your senior Pug suffers from dementia or disorientation, the anxiety from it can cause them to whimper, howl, or whine, especially at night.
Here are some other possible reasons that a dog will howl. There are several superstitions floating around on the Internet about why dogs howl or cry at night, so who really knows?
Pug Puppy Crying At Night
Listening to your Pug puppy cry at night is enough to break your heart. You’ll stay awake feeling sorry for them and feel terrible from the lack of sleep in the morning.
Puppies need a lot of attention and it’s not unusual for them to feel like you’ve abandoned them during the night when they are in their own bed. This is just a part of the puppy process, as your pup develops her own personality. This article will give you an in-depth look at why Pug puppies cry so much.
Once they feel secure and loved, they will most likely stop whining at night.
Do Pugs Cry Tears?
Unlike you and I, dogs can not produce tears as a response to what they are feeling. According to Nicholas Dodman, they do produce a salty substance that helps lubricate their eyes, we refer to them as dog tears. This is why people buy tear stain removers to help remove the stains that are left on their fur.
However, when dogs shed tears, it’s not due to their emotions or pain. This doesn’t mean that your dog doesn’t have any feelings like you and me.
How To Get My Pug To Stop Crying
Don’t yell at your Pug, even though you probably want too. Instead, listen to them and try to understand what they are telling you. Remember, they can’t talk like you and me.
If this is unusual behavior there’s a good chance that they want or need something specific. If they can’t reach a toy or something simple like that. Then acknowledge their behavior and help them reach their toy.
However, if they are constantly crying, howling, or whining whenever they are left alone, your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety, which is a common problem with Pugs.
Don’t Reward Bad Behavior
Never give your dog a treat while they are crying, whining, screaming, or just being really loud. This will only reinforce the chronic crying.
Instead, try to understand what your pooch is trying to tell you.
Once your dog gets what they were seeking, they will usually stop. If your Pug is constantly crying, it could be a sign that they are injured or in some type of pain.
You will definitely want to consult with your veterinarian to see why your Pug won’t stop crying. They will be able to rule out any medial issues that can be plaguing your dog. If nothing is medically wrong, then you may need to hire a trainer to help end the excessive crying behavior.
Final Word On Why Pugs Cry
It’s NOT normal for a Pug to cry constantly. As I mentioned, it should only be used as a form of communication.
Pugs don’t normally cry a lot, at least my black Pug never did. This breed is usually laid back and pretty much happy as long as they get attention from their owners.
References And Further Reading
Chicago Tribune – Steve Dale – Dog Appears To Cry Real Tears, But Link To Emotion Is Unreal
Canidae – Langley Cornwell – Superstitions About Howling Dogs