Do Dogs Cry Like Humans? Let’s Find Out
We often wonder what our four-legged friends will be feeling. But do dogs cry like humans ? There is no doubt about their ability to feel various emotions. So far, science has demonstrated the ability of dogs to feel cheerfulness, fear, anger and disgust.
But not only. Experts have demonstrated in dogs the ability to manifest even more complex emotions such as shame, pride and guilt.
In this article, we try to understand if dogs also cry like humans.
The production of tears in dogs
Science aside, pet owners have no doubt that cats and dogs have real feelings, as intense as ours.
Having said that, it is worth noting that dogs are equipped, anatomically speaking, with everything necessary to produce tears. As with all mammals, dogs’ eyes need to be wet on the surface with tears in order to ensure their proper functioning.
In this sense, the fall of tears does not occur in response to strong emotions, but as a natural reaction to an irritation of the eyes. So when a dog appears to be crying, it may be due to some discomfort and it may be worth seeing a veterinarian.
Do dogs cry like humans?
If we see that our dog’s eyes are watering, it is good to take into account the various ailments that may have caused the problem. The medical term for excessive tear production is “epiphora”. This happens, for example, if a dog’s tear ducts become blocked and, as a result, allow the tears to fall.
Excess tears can also be the result of eye trauma from eyelash rubbing or corneal scraping.
How do dogs express emotions?
Dogs use other ways to express their emotions, such as wagging their tails or drooping their ears. Some dogs also have the amazing ability to make sad expressions.
As many know, puppies cry when they need their mother. They do this in the form of clearly distinguishable vocalizations (similar to a whine), and only when they are very small. A type of cry also characteristic of baby rats.
As puppies grow, they may continue to cry in the form of whining at a young age. A form of expression which, given its usefulness, is preserved even in adulthood.
In adult dogs, these whines are often aimed at us. No wonder many canine behavior experts are convinced that dogs suffering from separation anxiety mimic puppies’ crying when they separate from their mother.
The canine vocal repertoire for complaints
In dogs, howling and whining could be an evolutionary advantage. For example to avoid estrangement from parents, or in moments of play with other puppies if one of them plays too hard, another puppy may cry complaining about his rough ways.
An attitude that can lead the first puppy, in response, to learn a more docile game.
Consider the emotions of animals: the ethical side
As much as common sense tells us to recognize how animals can think, feel and suffer, until now scientists have always denied the possibility of understanding what animals feel.
This belief has led to an arrogant attitude regarding the use of animals, their pain and all the moral questions that this argument brings with it.
As a result of this attitude, it is not only animals used for scientific studies that suffer, but also science itself, because not paying enough attention to the feelings of animals can inevitably distort the results of the experiments in which they are used.
Fortunately, the increased interest in this topic by the majority of society, but also by the scientific community, is forcing science to move towards the vision of common sense.
Furthermore, putting aside the scientific world, recognizing animal suffering is fundamental to understanding the dimension of problems such as abandonment and animal abuse.
