Social medium is replete with photograph and videos of shelter dogs that look to be crying in their kennels while look to be adopted into loving plate . Can chase after cry ? The answer is complicated .

While weenie in those saving photos and video recording do seem lamentable and visit them – cowering , tails tucked and lead down — might make you want to break into tears , frank do not shed worked up tears , according to Dr. Fiona Lee , veterinarian withHabitat Veterinary Hospitalin Boise , Idaho .

“ Dogs do not throw tears as a clinical sign of feeling lamentable , ” Lee says .

Sad dog on bed

Do Dogs Cry Tears?

frank have lachrymal glands , the glands in the eye responsible for for tear production , and they do grow tear . But epiphora — the medical condition for tears or excessive eye watering — is often a symptom of a aesculapian offspring , not emotion , articulate Lee .

A dog ’s eyes may water ( giving them the coming into court of crying ) due to minify drainage through the tear duct . fervor or pain can also actuate an increased production of tears . In other words , crying are a natural reception to sickness or accidental injury .

“ tear are the body ’s instinctive way of make clean the eye , ” explains Lee . “ Extra tears can ‘ wash ’ the eye free of junk , pollen , debris , and other irritants . ”

Closeup of dog eye

Your veterinarian will take a closer look at your dog ’s eyes to determine what might be cause them to water . In general , exuberant watering in only one eye could be a event of a blocked tear duct , an wound , or an thorn like dust or dirt while tear in both eyes is often a sign of a systemic subject like an contagion or allergy to pollen , dust mites or certain foods , according to Dr. Jerry Klein , chief veterinary ship’s officer for theAmerican Kennel Club .

The facial frame ofPugs , Boxers , Bulldogsand other short - nosed breeds might also make these dogs appear to “ scream ” more often . Many of these dogs have bulbous oculus with narrowed tear duct and increase touch with the air — meaning they ’re more irritated , and simultaneously less able-bodied to drain normally . Diseases like glaucoma or physical abnormality such as inverted eyelid ( entropion ) or spare cilium hairs ( distichiasis ) could also bring tears to your dog ’s eyes .

In add-on to tear yield , your heel might give you other cue that there is a medical issue , include overweening blinking , keep middle closed , yellow or green discharge , or pawing at their eye .

Dog hiding under blanket

“ Any trouble that is apparent with a dog ’s optic deserves to be seen by a veterinarian , ” says Klein .

Excessive snag product can also causetear stains . The dark cherry-red - chocolate-brown grime are more noticeable on dog with lighter - one-sided pelt and can often be take out with a combination of warm water and a saline solution solution .

Do Dogs Cry When They Are Sad?

Since dogs do not produce tears as a star sign of emotion , how do dogs shout out for help ? You ask to swear on other cues to fix whether your detent is lamentable .

“ What we sleep together about cuspid emotion are set because [ our heel ] ca n’t talk to us , ” Lee says . “ But , absolutely , dogs are adequate to of feeling well-chosen and pitiful and frightened and hurt ; usually these feelings will manifest in more subtle ways . ”

What Do Dogs Do When They Are Sad?

lessen appetence , whining and whimpering , decreased energy levels , and want of pastime in toys and other favorite thing are allpossible sign that your dog is feeling pitiful .. But Dr. Bonnie Beaver , veterinary behaviorist and professor atTexas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicinewarns that even these behavior changes may not be signs of sadness .

The problem is just as probable to be a forcible way out as an aroused one , Beaver adds . A dog with an upturned stomach or injured manus might demonstrate similar symptom to a dog that has an emotional reception to a change in docket or a new addition to the family .

If all potential aesculapian causes are ruled out anddog depressionis thought to be the causal agency of the behavior change , Beaver tell your veterinarian may dictate antidepressants . you may also seek to boost their mood by taking them on a manner of walking or a trip to the dog park , engaging in incontrovertible interactions like smooching and games , and proffer their favorite intellectual nourishment .

Even though hound do n’t physically cry or unloosen snag when they are distressing , we know that they do sense sadness , so remember to talk to your veterinary surgeon if you mark behavior variety .

“ Changes in behavior might be a sign that something in their earth is not right , ” Beaver says .