If you are here, you must have noticed some unusual behavior in your dog and have probably been wondering:
Why is my dog whining?
Why do dogs whine in general?
It is only natural for us to worry about our furry little friends as they are our family after all. Did you do something wrong as a dog parent, or does your dog have a peculiar problem?
In the rest of this post, you will find out the most common reasons why your dog is whining and how you can prevent each of them.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Why Do Dogs Whine – Most Common Reasons & Their Symptoms
There are many reasons why your dog could be whining, so let’s go through each of them briefly:
#1 – Pain from Arthritis or Injury
Whining can often indicate a potential health problem. One of them may be joint pain that occurs when your dog is standing.
Therefore, if joint pain is causing discomfort for your dog, they will most likely take a lying position and constantly whine to tell you something is wrong.
If you see any signs of arthritis or other injuries, waste no time and schedule a visit to the vet.
#2 – Temperature Discomfort
Distress due to the extremely hot or cold weather conditions can make your dog unable to find a place where they feel comfortable.
Dogs are very sensitive to temperature changes and will constantly whine to indicate their discomfort.
If you are taking your dog to the beach, set the right time for swimming. Namely, by exposing your dog to the sun, you increase your chances of dehydration. In addition to water loss, shortness of breath and other difficulties can occur.
If you notice this behavior, change the environment as quickly as possible. Ideally, you should take your dog to an air-conditioned space and provide enough water to make up for lost fluid.
#3 – Separation Anxiety
If your dog gets anxious when home alone, you may notice that they whine loudly while waiting for their favorite person (you) to come back. You can solve this problem by giving your dog a lot of love before leaving them at home, so they know you care about them even if you’re away from the house.
Regular walking and other physical activities could prevent the possibility of developing separation anxiety. In general, spending time with your dog is always a good idea.
Also, reward your dog regularly for successful tasks. By rewarding your dog, dopamine is secreted in the dog’s brain, creating a feeling of happiness!
However, separation anxiety can be a severe issue, and it can be hard to deal with it entirely. Samoyeds are very prone to developing separation anxiety, so Sammy parents should be on the lookout.
#4 – Painful Skin Allergies
We all know that dogs cannot talk. However, they express their certain painful conditions through whining.
Some dogs have allergies that affect them differently than people do – usually through skin irritation instead of respiratory symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or wheezing.
When these irritants contact a dog’s skin, they may start feeling unwell, making painful skill allergies another potential answer to the question ‘why do dogs whine.’
What can you do here?
Every time you bathe your dog, pay close attention to all sensitive areas. A simple at-home examination is the best way to react in time if you notice any damage to your dog’s skin.
If you are late in responding, we suggest that you contact your veterinarian and schedule an examination. With certain products, you will most likely return the skin condition to normal.
#5 – Lack of Attention
One of the simples reasons your dog may be whining is that they are feeling a bit left out. For example, you may be too focused on that work project, or you are binging your favorite Netflix show.
Either way, your dog does not seem to appreciate that.
In this case, make sure you give your dog’s needs enough time during your day. In order for dogs not to feel lonely, they need at least one hour per day alone with their parents.
However, we recommend spending much more than that, or at least as much as possible for you. The more attention you give to your dog – the happier they will feel!
#6 – Hunger or Thirst
This reason is relatively straightforward. It would be best if you always took care of your dog’s physiological needs promptly.
Make sure you feed your dog on a regular schedule and always provide fresh water. A properly established feeding routine will reduce the chances of your dog being thirsty or hungry.
#7 – Dental Problems
Dogs may also suffer from dental problems unrelated to tooth brushing or toothpaste usage: plaque and tartar accumulation on their teeth.
They will need professional veterinary care in such cases, so do consult with professionals if you suspect any problem caused by oral bacteria present in the mouth.
Regular brushing of your dog’s teeth will prevent tartar and the development of dental infections.
If brushing your dog’s teeth sounds like something completely new, take a look at our articles:
- How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth – 4 Easy Tips for Best Results
- Top 5 Homemade Dog Toothpaste Recipes You Must Try! (2021)
You can also use a variety of toys to help stop the whining. For example, you could buy your dog some new toys and show them off, so they get excited about them.
Mental stimulation is a great way to distract the dog and maybe, just maybe, stop them from whining.
Preventing Your Dog From Whining
Once you know why do dogs whine in general and have identified the reason for your dog’s whining, you can move on to preventing future occurrences.
Injuries
It can be quite hard to prevent your dog from getting injured. The truth is, injuries mostly happen spontaneously, and there is no ultimate solution to deal with all of them.
A few things you can do are:
- Stay aware of slippery floors, stairs, and bathtubs. These are areas where you need to provide some traction for your dog, as they can easily slip and injure themselves.
- Help them get up and down from furniture and vehicles, especially if they are a smaller breed. For example, constant jumping from the couch can quickly cause joint issues.
- Take them to the vet regularly. This way, you will be able to notice arthritis or any other health issue arise before it becomes severe.
Need for Attention
If your dog lacks attention, make sure you give them enough time during the day and make it as fun as possible.
Also, please do your best not to leave them home alone for too long. Most dogs won’t have a great time being closed in a small apartment for hours.
You can also try changing the environment to something your dog likes. If they usually whine when left alone, try bringing them to a different room or outside if you have a backyard.
General Health Issues
Whether these are allergies, skin irritation, dental problems, or anything else under the sun, a few simple rules can help you keep your dog healthy and disease-free:
- Feed your dog healthy food and establish a feeding routine.
- Provide them with lots of physical activity and mental stimulation.
- Maintain proper body weight.
- Go to regular vet checkups.
- Brush their teeth regularly.
- Spend a lot of time with your dog every day, cuddle and pet them as much as possible.
Your Turn
Now we would like to hear from you:
Did you find the reason why your dog is whining?
In the comments below, write us all about it and how you managed to deal with the issue.
Stay tuned!