Animals, like people, can experience various emotions, no one doubts this. For example, domestic cats and dogs understand perfectly well when they are scolded, so they can easily get offended and not “communicate” with their owner for some time. Some people could see how tears seem to shine in the eyes of their pets. And they probably had the expected question: do animals cry when they are sad? Cats and dogs have lived next to us for thousands of years, and during this time, scientists have studied them well. And they have an answer to the question that interests us!
Pets definitely feel emotions, but can they cry? Image: koshka.top
Do cats feel emotions?
Cats, like people, are capable of feeling emotions, although their manifestations may differ from those of humans. They can be happy, sad, angry, and even anxious.
A happy cat, for example, will purr, rub against its owner, and play actively. If the pet is sad or lonely, it may hide, eat less, and be lethargic. An irritated or frightened cat, on the contrary, will express its emotions more aggressively: hissing, arching its back, or even waving its paw.
A cat's purr is a sign that it is happy. Image source: northshore-vet.com
Many owners may think that their cat is crying when they see tears in its eyes. However, as studies have shown, cats do not cry from emotion. If their eyes are wet, this is most likely due to other reasons, which we will discuss closer to the end of the article.
It is important to note that cats can make sounds similar to human crying when they are sad or scared. It is also known that cats can make sounds like a baby crying – this is how they attract the attention of adults.
Read also: 5 strange behavioral patterns of cats, the meanings of which will definitely surprise you
Do dogs experience emotions?
Dogs, like cats, can also experience emotions. It is believed that they can even sympathize with us. So, to some extent, dogs are even more emotional than cats.
Happiness in dogs can be easily noticed by active tail wagging and jumping when the owner returns home. Fear in dogs is manifested by freezing in place or trying to hide when something threatening is nearby, for example, another, larger dog.
A wagging tail is a sign of happiness in dogs. Image source: Pinterest
Although a dog's brain is much smaller than a human's, they have the same areas that are responsible for emotions. Dogs are capable of experiencing joy, sadness, fear, anger, anxiety, and even affection. When you look into your dog's eyes or pet him, he, like you, releases oxytocin— a hormone that helps strengthen emotional bonds.
However, there are emotions that dogs cannot feel, such as guilt or shame. When it seems that your dog is “blaming himself” for leaving trash around the kitchen, he is actually just afraid of punishment, since he has already learned that you do not like this behavior.
Interesting study: Do cats and dogs mourn the death of their fellows?
Can animals cry?
Although cats and dogs are capable of experiencing a variety of emotions, they cannot cry from sadness the way humans do. They do have tears, but their appearance is associated with medical factors, not emotional experiences.
For example, a cat may have watery eyes due to irritation caused by dust or scratches from another cat. In addition, watery eyes can be a symptom of various diseases, such as conjunctivitis or even respiratory tract infection. The same can be said about dogs.
If your pet starts crying, it's a good reason to see a vet. Image source: sochi.com
Other causes of teary eyes in cats and dogs can include allergies, blocked tear ducts, and even structural issues, especially in flat-faced breeds.
If you notice your pet's eyes are watering, it's not something you should ignore — it's likely a sign that you need to see a vet. While sometimes mild tearing doesn't require immediate attention, it can be a sign of a more serious problem.
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The bottom line is that when we see our pets “crying,” it's not an expression of sadness. Rather, it is a good reason to pay attention to their health.