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Dogs Cry at Night: What They're Trying to Tell You in Your Sleep
12.02.2025 08:10
You wake up to the sound of your dog whining softly and wonder if it's a dream or a cry for help?
Japanese scientists from Azabu University have discovered that dogs are capable of shedding tears in moments of emotional uplift - for example, when meeting their owner.
But what happens when they cry in the dark while you sleep? It turns out that nighttime "tears" may not just be a physiological reaction, but a signal of hidden problems - from anxiety to serious illnesses.
Emotions or pain? How to distinguish night crying
Research shows that dogs use vocalizations to communicate, including whining, howling, and even imitating human crying.
At night, these sounds are often associated with the fear of loneliness or separation anxiety - a condition in which the pet is panicky afraid of being left without its owner. For example, puppies weaned from their mothers prematurely are more likely to show anxiety in the dark, which is confirmed by veterinary observations.
However, not all tears are harmless. In 2022, blogger Maxim @food_lover described a case when his Labrador began whining at night. An examination revealed intestinal obstruction, a condition that requires emergency surgery.
Veterinarians warn that if crying is accompanied by symptoms such as shaking, refusal to eat, or rapid breathing, this may indicate acute pain or neurological disorders.
Oxytocin and Darkness: Why Night Increases Stress
Experiments with oxytocin, the “bondage hormone,” have shown that its levels in dogs drop sharply in the absence of their owner.
At night, when human activity decreases, pets are left alone with their fears.
Professor Takefumi Kikusui , author of the study on dog tears, notes:
"Dogs are evolutionarily dependent on the pack. For them, loneliness is a threat to survival, which the brain perceives as physical pain."
- Anna, 34 : "My corgi started howling at night after moving. The vet diagnosed anxiety disorder. After a course of pheromone diffusers, the crying stopped."
- Dmitry, 45 years old : "The Jack Russell whined for two weeks. It turned out to be a tumor in the spleen. Timely surgery saved his life."
What to do? Advice from experts
1. Eliminate pain : Visit your veterinarian to check your pet's health.
2. Create a "sanctuary" : Put something with your scent in the bed - this will reduce anxiety.
3. Avoid reinforcement : Don't rush to comfort your dog at the first whine - this will reinforce the unwanted behavior.
“Night crying is a language that we must decipher,” emphasizes zoopsychologist Maria Chaikovskaya.
Ignoring such signals can cost your pet's health and your owner's peace of mind.
