Why is my Dog Whining in Rye, NH?

 

Has your dog been whining a lot lately? Are you worried about what could be causing this behavior? Is whining ever normal in dogs, or is it always a cause for concern?

As a pet owner, it’s perfectly normal to wonder if your pet’s odd behaviors mean anything serious. In some instances, whining can be an indicator of a severe problem. In others, however, the cause of this behavior could be something completely benign. It’s up to you (and your vet) to work to determine what’s going on with your dog.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common causes of whining in dogs. With the help of this information, you can narrow down the possibilities for your own pet.

 

Begging

Begging may sometimes be accompanied with whining in dogs, especially if you have something your dog really wants. While some dogs may never whine while begging, others may be very prone to this combination of behaviors.

If you notice your dog staring at you while you’re eating and you can see that she is whining and shaking, begging is the likely culprit. Make sure you don’t engage your dog when this happens, as you may accidentally teach her to repeat the behavior. Instead, just ignore her and go about eating your food as if she isn’t there.

Wanting Attention

One common cause of whining behavior in dogs—and especially in puppies and younger dogs—is attention seeking. If your dog is the type to want you to play with and cuddle her all the time, she may be prone to whining at you when you aren’t looking at or interacting with her.

Although it can be difficult to do so, it’s best to ignore your dog when she does this. If you respond to her requests for attention, she will quickly learn to whine any time she wants you to look at her. Wait until she settles down and then interact with her.

 

Pain

Pain is a common cause of whining behavior in dogs. Pain that leads to whining may range from something as simple as a broken toenail to something as serious as internal organ damage. Some dogs are much calmer and quieter when in pain than others, so consider your dog’s usual behavior to figure out if she might be showing signs of pain.

If your dog is whining from pain and you know how she got hurt or you can see that she is visibly injured, take her to the emergency vet right away for treatment.

 

Nausea

Nausea may sometimes cause dogs to whine. While some dogs will never whine with nausea, others will start whining as soon as they first feel this symptom. The longer the nausea persists, the more the dog may start whining. You may also notice shaking behavior along with nausea-related whining, and your dog may yawn or lick her mouth frequently too.

While nausea will typically pass on its own, it’s important to consider what could be causing your dog to feel this way. She may have eaten something that has upset her stomach, but she could have an infection or illness instead.

 

Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common causes of whining in dogs. Dogs who are anxious, afraid, or nervous may start whining the longer they remain in this state. If your dog is whining while shaking, and especially if something has happened in the last few minutes to scare her, then anxiety is probably the cause.

Dogs who whine a lot when they are left at home alone are probably whining due to separation anxiety. On the other hand, dogs who whine during fireworks or thunder are likely responding to these fears instead.

Illness

Most of the time, if a dog is whining due to illness, the whining is more closely related to pain. However, some dogs may whine as a result of certain symptoms too.

For example, if your dog is very sick with a respiratory infection, her inability to breathe well through her nose may be upsetting to her. This could cause her to whine. More serious illnesses are more likely to cause significant whining in dogs, so pay attention to the signs and go to the vet if you suspect your dog is sick with something serious.

 

Conclusion

Many of the potential causes of whining in dogs are mild or moderate, and they can be resolved on your own at home or with a quick trip to the vet. In some cases, however, whining may be caused by a severe issue. If you suspect your pet is dealing with a more serious problem, go to the emergency vet right away.

The sooner you get your pet seen by a professional, the sooner you can help her start on the road to recovery. By paying attention to behavioral changes such as increased whining, you can stay on top of potential pet health issues.

Please give us a call at (603) 431-8785 or Make An Appointment for any questions regarding your dogs health.