Can Dogs Cry Tears? Understanding Canine Tear Production and Emotion
People often wonder if dogs can cry tears in the same way humans do—out of sadness, joy, or other strong emotions. While dogs certainly express a range of feelings, their tear production doesn't quite mirror ours. Let's explore what science says about dogs and their ability to shed tears.
The Science Behind Dog Tears
Dogs, like most mammals, have tear ducts. These ducts serve essential physiological functions: keeping the eyes moist and clearing away debris. When you see a dog's eyes watering, it's usually for practical reasons rather than emotional ones.
- Eye Irritation: Dust, pollen, hair, or foreign materials can irritate a dog's eyes and cause them to water.
- Allergies: Environmental factors (like pollen), certain foods, or medications may trigger watery eyes.
- Blocked Tear Ducts: Genetics, inflammation, or infections can block tear ducts—this is especially common in flat-faced breeds (brachycephalic dogs).
- Infections: Bacterial, viral, or fungal eye infections often come with redness, swelling, and abnormal discharge.
- Injury: Scratches on the cornea or other injuries may lead to increased tear production.
- Chronic Conditions: Problems like dry eye, glaucoma, or abnormal eyelashes can also play a role.
If your dog has persistent watery eyes—especially with yellow or bloody discharge, redness, swelling, excessive blinking, pawing at the eyes, or swelling around the eyes—it's best to consult a veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis.
Tears and Emotion: What Does Research Say?
The idea that dogs might cry emotional tears is fascinating. Most scientific evidence suggests that while dogs do feel emotions deeply and express them in various ways (whining, whimpering, howling), they don't shed tears out of sadness or happiness as humans do. In people, emotional crying is tied closely to our unique brain chemistry and social behaviors.
A 2022 study published in Current Biology took this question further. Researchers measured tear volume in pet dogs before and after reunions with their owners using something called the Schirmer tear test. They found that dogs produced more tears during reunions with their owners compared to familiar non-owners. The study suggested that oxytocin—a hormone linked to bonding—might play a role in this response. However, not all experts agree on these findings; tear production can fluctuate for many reasons unrelated to emotion. Further research is needed before we can say for sure whether these are truly emotional tears comparable to those of humans.
How Dogs Really Express Their Emotions
If you want to know how your dog feels, don't look for teardrops on their fur. Instead, pay attention to their vocalizations, body language, and behavior changes.
- Crying Sounds: Whining, whimpering, or howling are common ways dogs "cry" when they're sad, anxious, excited, or seeking attention.
- Body Language: Tucked tails, flattened ears, pacing—or on the flip side—wagging tails and bouncy movements signal different moods.
- Lethargy/Withdrawal: A dog that's suddenly quiet or uninterested in food and play may be feeling down.
Dogs rely on these cues far more than on visible tears when communicating their needs and feelings with us and other animals.
Caring for Dogs With Watery Eyes
If your dog has watery eyes (for any reason), gentle care is important:
- Clean Around the Eyes: Use a warm damp cloth or pet-safe wipes; avoid touching the eyeball itself.
- Avoid Rubbing: Prevent your dog from scratching its eyes—sometimes socks on paws or an e-collar help protect sensitive areas during healing.
- Trim Hair Carefully: If long hair around the eyes is causing irritation (especially in certain breeds), keep it trimmed safely with proper tools.
- Treat Tear Stains: Use shampoos designed for pets if stains develop under the eyes due to chronic tearing.
- Avoid Allergens: Limit exposure to dust and pollen if allergies are suspected triggers.
If symptoms persist or worsen—or if you notice signs like colored discharge—seek veterinary advice promptly. Eye health problems can escalate quickly without proper treatment.
The Human-Canine Bond: Emotional Support Without Tears
The connection between people and dogs is profound. Dogs are sensitive to our emotions—they often comfort us when we're sad or anxious—but they express empathy through presence rather than by shedding emotional tears. Humans remain unique among animals for crying visible tears due to emotion. That said, ongoing research may one day reveal more about subtle ways our canine companions show affection—even if it's not through visible weeping.
If Your Dog Seems Sad...
If you notice signs of depression such as lethargy, loss of appetite or playfulness, whimpering more than usual—or just acting "off"—offer extra support through routine activities: regular walks outside (fresh air helps!), healthy meals at consistent times each day (dogs love predictability), gentle affection (petting goes a long way), and engaging playtime. If symptoms continue beyond a few days or seem severe (like refusing food altogether), reach out to your vet for guidance on next steps for your furry friend's well-being.
