Have you ever wondered why do Shih Tzus cry, which is a very interesting question you can ask yourself as a Shih Tzu owner?
Shih Tzus cry for a variety of reasons, including when they’re sick or wounded, or when they’re upset or irritated about something.
In this post, we will outline and discuss the most common reasons why your Shih Tzu may cry from time to time.
Let me quickly explain why do Shih Tzus cry in a concise sentence before I will explain it one after the other, so sit tight and read through.
Why Do Shih Tzus Cry
Shih Tzus crying is an indication of emotional stress, loneliness, boredom, pain, hunger, desire for affection, or tension, separation anxiety, wanting attention from their owners, or an allergic response.
Because Shih Tzus were taught to be close to their owners at all times, there must be a reason for all that crying that the owner cannot see.
The way Shih Tzus’ eyes protrude when they’re furious or unhappy is well-known. They’re also known for being obstinate and barky at times.
When left alone for an extended period of time, this breed has been known to weep or scream.
This is frequently related to separation anxiety, which, if not treated, can progress to destructive conduct.
How to make Shih Tzus happy and stop them from crying
Here are some typical methods for keeping a Shih Tzu happy and healthy:
- Make and follow a regular daily program.
- Make your Shih Tzu’s environment stress-free.
- As a kind of treatment, provide a variety of music and video games.
- Give your Shih Tzu extra attention and physical contact.
- Provide a variety of fitness options.
- Pay close attention to your Shih Tzu’s requirements.
- Purchase a second companion animal.
- If you are frequently absent, hire a pet sitter.
- Provide a variety of fun and interactive toys.
- When you have more time, take your Shih Tzu for a stroll.
- Provide a lot of love.
- Reward positive conduct.
- Invest in some antianxiety products.
- Give your Shih Tzu lots of mental stimulation exercises.
Reasons why Shih Tzus cry
Here are some of the most common reasons Shih Tzus cry:
1. Seeking attention
One of the main reasons Shih Tzu’s cry is to get the owner’s attention at any cost.
Your Shih Tzu adores you and craves your attention at all hours of the day and night. Getting your attention is Shih Tzu’s first goal.
Your Shih Tzu may try to get your attention by crying, barking, whining, or howling.
Shih Tzus may act out in an attempt to obtain their human’s attention when they are bored or feel ignored.
Shih Tzus want attention more than other dog breeds since they were selectively and intentionally bred to be a human friend.
2. Owners departure
Shih Tzus are known to cry, scream, whine, bark, and occasionally bite when their owners leave them at home for work.
Even with extensive crate training and socialization, Shih Tzus will never be happy to see their people go.
Having a second pet allows their owners to leave the house with ease; at the absolute least, your Shih Tzu will have a companion pet.
Shih Tzus are not a breed that should be left alone for lengthy periods of time since they may develop undesired behaviors including as biting, destructive chewing, pacing, nipping, and more.
3. Excessive stress
Shih Tzus are little dogs that are prone to becoming stressed and uneasy. This might be related to their size or the reason for which they were produced.
Knowing the symptoms that your Shih Tzu is stressed, scared, concerned, or sad may help you prevent unwanted behavior and offer a happy and healthy life for your dog.
Stress symptoms are generally clear, but your dog’s stress communication might be subtle and unexpected at times.
When a Shih Tzu is overwhelmed and worried, he or she may weep to convey his or her feelings to the owner.
Here are some common signs of stress your Shih Tzu may exhibit:
- Hiding
- Whining
- Pacing
- Panting
- Cowering
- Loss of Appetite
- Aggression
4. Pains
Interestingly, small breed dogs with chronic pains and discomfort such as Shih Tzus, rarely cry, howl, or wail in distress.
Acute discomfort, such as the excruciating anguish of rising in an arthritic dog, may drive them to communicate their dissatisfaction.
Shih Tzu may be weeping as a result of a painful injury that is not visible to the owner.
If you feel your Shih Tzu is in trouble, please do not dismiss or ignore him or her.
If your dog is misbehaving, appears fatigued, or starts moaning out of nowhere, a trip to the vet may be the best way to figure out what’s wrong.
5. Hunger
When a child gets hungry, he or she begins to cry, and this applies to little breeds of dogs such as Shih Tzus.
When a Shih Tzu is hungry, it might become violent and attack or nip its owners; it can also cry if no one is at home to feed it.
Never leave home without feeding your Shih Tzu, make a feeding roaster and stick to it.
Always offer your Shih Tzu a decent amount of mental activity to protect them from being bored or lonely.
6. Anxiety
Shih Tzus are exceptionally intelligent dogs that require mental stimulation; they are not the sort of dogs to maintain if you work from 9 to 5 every day.
They like human or animal companions, so adopting one and abandoning it at home is a horrible choice.
They may develop anxiety if left alone for more than 6 hours, and some may become aggressive and destructive.
Anxiety is well recognized as one of the leading causes of Shih Tzu’s crying, owing to the fact that they were selectively developed to be human companions.
Symptoms of anxiety in Shih Tzus
- Excessive whimpering
- Scratching that is destructive and overdone.
- Barking incessantly.
- Chewing that is destructive.
- Shivering and trembling.
- Sleeping excessively.
- Continues to tuck tail.
- A lot of licking.
- Growling incessantly.
- Freezing is unnecessary.
- Aggression.
- Pacing is excessive.
- Cowering.
- Unnecessary concealment.
How to fix anxiety in Shih Tzus
- Establish and keep to a regular regimen for your Shih Tzu.
- Increase your time spent exercising and playing with your Shih Tzu.
- Make your Shih Tzu’s environment as stress-free as possible.
- Desensitization should be performed on your Shih Tzu.
- The conditioning of your Shih Tzu should be reversed.
- More treats and engaging toys are a fantastic investment for your Shih Tzu.
- Purchase anti-anxiety medication for your Shih Tzu.
- Get a buddy for your Shih Tzu.
- Seek the advice of a veterinarian or an animal behaviorist.
- If you are regularly absent, consider hiring a Shih Tzu pet sitter.
- Hide food in toys that require them to work for it in order to encourage their mental stimulation impulses.
- Begin by spending less time alone, even if you are at home.
Read more: 11 Shih Tzu Stress Symptoms.
7. Response to allergic reactions
Shih Tzus are known for having sensitive stomachs, which means they’re picky eaters that have a lot of digestive issues.
Shih Tzus’ eating habits are influenced by dental problems, internal obstructions, poor drug reactions, changes in their environment, allergies, wrong meal composition, and other concerns.
Shih Tzus are little dogs with limited lasting strength, which means they are prone to crying when they are disturbed or uncomfortable.
Symptoms of allergic reactions in Shih Tzus
- Weeping and crying.
- The skin is itchy.
- Skin and coat are in bad shape.
- Scratching of the ears or feet on a regular basis.
- Hyperactivity.
- His flesh is scratched, bitten, and licked.
- Aggression.
- Diarrhea.
- Energy deficiency.
- Vomiting.
Causes of allergic reactions in Shih Tzus
- Pests
- Toxic chemicals
- Dust mites
- Certain grasses
- Feathers
- Pollen
- Mold
- Onions
- Garlic
- Cigarette smoke
- Some medicines
8. Medical Problems
If your Shih Tzu only cries when he or she lays down, he or she might be suffering from joint discomfort or another issue related to her posture.
She might be having difficulties breathing while sleeping, or she could be suffering from any number of other issues that are causing her to cry.
Due to their health difficulties, Shih Tzus who are older or have chronic diseases may be more inclined to whimper at night than others.
If your Shih Tzu falls into one of these categories, or if you have any suspicions that she is in pain when lying down, take her to the doctor straight once.
As a result, before proceeding to determine the source of the whining, you should totally rule out this option with your veterinarian.
Read more: Why Do Shih Tzus Sleep So Much: 8 Reasons.
9. Bloating
Dogs can get bloated or have upset stomachs from eating food that doesn’t suit them, which could explain why your dog is whining at night for no apparent reason.
This problem might be caused by feeding dogs low-quality food or components to which they are intolerant or allergic.
Dogs who eat too rapidly may develop bloating and get quite unwell with various digestive problems.
If your dog’s stomach is hurting, consider switching to higher-quality food.
Stick to foods with basic, natural components that she can readily digest.
Read more: 4 Common Shih Tzu Sleeping Disorders.
