Do Dogs Cry Tears Like People?

You might have seen your pup with watery eyes, and it's natural to wonder if they're shedding tears because of emotions. I certainly cannot be the only Dog Mom (or Dad) who thought the love of my life was crying because she was so upset Carl the Kitten was getting more attention than her. But are they shedding tears because of emotion?

First things first, dogs do have tear ducts, just like us humans. These tear ducts keep their eyes moist and clean. Sometimes, their eyes might water due to dust, irritation, or even something as simple as wind blowing into their faces. This kind of tearing is more of a physiological response rather than an emotional one.

But here's where it gets interesting.

Human beings have long been thought of as the only species that tear-up due to emotional response; however, some super smart Japanese scientist just posted a study in Current Biology Magazine that provided significant data to say this isn’t really the case … and of course, it was DOGS they tested.

The study found that dogs teared up way, way more when they were reunited with their Pet Parents after having been separated for a length of time. They appeared to be shedding tears of joy. I know, right? I’m legit bawling right now.

Of course, some old school scientists don’t agree with this study but as a helicopter pet parent, this just seems too true, to me.

We know that dogs can indeed experience emotions. Just like humans, they can feel joy, sadness, anxiety and even jealousy!!! So, in some cases, if you notice your dog looking a bit down and you see teary eyes, it's possible that it could be linked to their emotions.

Remember, though, that dogs express the majority of their emotions differently from us. They might not tear-sob like humans do when they're sad or happy. Instead, they use their body language and behavior to communicate how they're feeling. If your pup seems down, they might show it through reduced activity, appetite changes, or even seeking more cuddles than usual.

Now, let's talk about those heart-melting puppy eyes that seem to say, "I'm sad." While maybe the scientific jury is still out on whether dogs might not cry emotional tears like we do, they have their ways of showing their feelings. You know that adorable head tilt? That's them trying to understand you better. “Why you acting like a fool, Dad??” Those longing gazes? They're looking for your attention and affection. “I loveeeeeeee yyyooouuuuu” So, even if it's not teary eyes per se, they're finding ways to connect with us emotionally.

In a nutshell, dogs do tear up. As an animal behaviorist, I think there’s just too much connectional proof to say they don’t shed tears due to emotional response. They may not sob like humans but some do tear-up. They have feelings, emit emotional responses and they communicate them in their own unique ways.

Man, I love dogs! ::::::sobbing like a human::::::