Dogs cannot articulate through words what they are thinking or feeling.
But we can better understand our dogs by observing their behavior, body language, and noises.
So what does it mean when a dog is moaning?
The information provided herein is for informational purposes only.
In addition to body language,dogs also communicatewith us through vocalization.
Compared to their wolf ancestors, dogs vocalize differently due to domestication.
This is partially because they have evolved to communicate in a human social environment.
This means that in contrast to wolves, dogs vocalize in more ways and a wider variety of situations.
So lets talk about the different types of sounds that dogs make.
Perhaps the quintessential sound a dog makes is a bark.
Barking is a short, abrupt, repetitive vocalization.
Different dog breeds have different uses for barking based on what they were bred for.
Another way dogs vocalize is by growling.
A growl is a low-frequency guttural sound produced in the throat.
While growling is usually used as a warning of aggression, growling can also be observed during play.
Aggressive growling is typically characterized by low rumbling and adisplay of teeth.
Conversely, play growls are noisy, short, and medium to high in pitch.
Another sound dogs make is a howl.
Reminiscent of its wolf ancestor, a dogs howl is a long loud cry.
Originating from pack behavior,dogs use howlingas a means of maintaining a group bond.
Other dog sounds include whining, grunting, groaning, and moaning.
Why Is My Dog Moaning and Groaning?
There are several reasons your dog may be making these noises.
Anxiety or Excitement
Image credits:Oscar Sutton.
One reason your dog may be moaning is due to anxiety, such as separation anxiety.
However,anxiety in dogsusually manifests more as whining rather than moaning.
Anxiety in dogs typically presents as more than vocalization alone.
Anxious dogs may have tucked or flattened ears, have a fearful expression, or yawn.
Vocalization associated with anxiety or fear is usually accompanied by pacing and restlessness.
Other behaviors that indicate your dog may be anxious include lip licking and panting.
This throw in of excited whine may occur when a dog tries to jump up on you.
Also, dogs whining out of excitement rather than anxiety will often be wagging their tails.
One way to differentiate between anxious whining and excited whining is pitch.
If a dog is distressed, his whine will rise in pitch at the end of the sound.
Alternatively, a happy or excited dog will whine with a pitch that drops or does not change.
Frustration or Boredom
Dogs may also sigh or groan out of frustration.
In addition to walks and playtime,puzzle toysare a great way to help alleviate boredom.
Pain or Discomfort
Image credits:Ryan Stone.
Another reason your dog may groan or moan is due to pain or discomfort.
If groaning is accompanied by yelping or whimpering, it may mean your dog is in pain.
Unfortunately, due to the language barrier, pets cannot explicitly tell us when they hurt.
Therefore, we must pay close attention when monitoring for subtle signs of pain, which include excessive vocalization.
Pain in dogs can manifest in various ways, mainly depending on the source of pain.
For example, dogs with orthopedic issues like arthritis or hip dysplasia may exhibit changes in activity levels.
Dogs can also experience pain with many other conditions.
Another example is bloat, or GDV (gastric dilatation-volvulus).
In addition to excessive vocalization, these dogs often experience drooling, a distended abdomen, and non-productive retching.
Many other conditions may make your dog groan in pain.
excessive licking, biting, or scratching).
One condition seen in older dogs iscognitive dysfunction syndrome.
This vocalization may occur at inappropriate times such as nighttime or when a dog sleeps.
Elderly dogs may also experience hearing loss, sometimes resulting in increased vocalization.
Contentment
Image credits:Milli.
Although vocalization can signal anxiety or discomfort, moaning is not always a bad thing in dogs.
Happy puppies often show their contentment by letting out low-pitched moans.
You may observe this when a puppy snuggles its littermates, mother, or owner.
Many dogs will also grunt as a sign of pleasure.
In addition to moaning or grunting, dogs can show their contentment through sighs.
When Is Dog Vocalization a Concern?
In general, moaning is cause for concern when there are other concurrent signs or symptoms present.
There are many reasons dogs make various noises, including moaning.
Some of them are benign but sometimes moaning and groaning can be a sign of a bigger problem.
