When dogs suddenly start moaning, it is often an expression of disappointment or a cry for attention. Under certain circumstances, it can also indicate poisoning, arthritis or other illnesses and injuries.
From our perspective, there isn't much to complain about when it comes to dogs. They always get enough food and water, have a roof over their heads and can sleep non-stop.
In contrast to us, however, they have significantly fewer means of communication with which to communicate pain. Dogs therefore often suffer in silence.
In very old and large dogs, groaning is often an indication of hip dysplasia, arthritis, breathing problems or other aging problems. [1]
In young dogs, however, it is often a sign of growing pains or a lack of attention. The initial situation can also provide conclusions here:
Initial situationMost likely causesMoaning when lying downArthritis, hip dysplasia, ascites, panostitis, other painConstant moaningCrying for attention, breathing problems, abdominal pain, hip dysplasia, arthritis, other painQuiet groaning when breathingBreathing problems, ascitesMoaning when standing upHip dysplasia, panostitis, arthritis, other painPanting and groaningPoisoning, abdominal pain, other PainMoaning when sleepingDreams, breathing problems, other painMoaning when liftingHip dysplasia, arthritis, panosteitis, other painMoaning after eatingStomach pain, poisoning, disappointment
Can't do anything with some technical terms? No worries. Below we will address all of the above causes.
Are you worried or unsure? Then click here to start a live chat with a veterinarian.
#1 Arthritis
Very old dogs, large breeds and overweight four-legged friends in particular often suffer from arthritis. This refers to chronic inflammation of the joints.
According to statistics, around 20% of all dogs over a year old struggle with it. [2] The most common symptoms here include:
- Dog avoids jumping
- Stiff running style
- Moaning when lying down and getting up
- Dog avoids running
- Sudden limp
- Constant licking of the joints [3]
There is currently no cure for this. Nevertheless, the symptoms of arthritis can be treated very well. Pain-relieving medications are usually used here.
In addition, changing your diet and going on a diet also helps in many cases. Because being overweight only causes more stress on the joints. [4]
Old and large dogs often groan when standing up or lying down because their joints are chronically inflamed. Arthritis can usually be recognized by the dog suddenly avoiding certain movements, always licking its joints and walking stiffly.
#2 Scream for attention
Basically, the younger and more trusting a dog is, the greater the daily need for attention. If this is missing, then whining is inevitable.
Some breeds also naturally moan a lot. These include Beagles, Siberian Huskies, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, Miniature Pinschers and Bloodhounds. [5]
If moaning occurs during stroking, then it can also be an expression of pleasure. Typical further signs of a severe lack of attention are:
- Tracking at every turn
- Dog seeks eye contact with his master
- Hyperactive or restless behavior
- Dog jumps at master
- Constant whining and whining [6]
This behavior is often learned. Because if the dog suddenly gets attention while moaning, then it will happen again in the future.
In this case, it is important to meet the daily need for attention and at the same time show the dog its limits. A second pet can also help here.
If dogs lack attention, they usually make their master aware of it by constantly moaning. What is noticeable here is that the dog maintains eye contact with the master, follows him wherever he goes and behaves restlessly.
#3 Stomach pain
Dogs' digestive systems are significantly inferior to ours. This is because dogs only became omnivores several millennia ago.
Their ancestors, wolves, are still carnivores. This explains why the smallest inconsistencies can lead to stomach pain. Typical causes here are:
- Human food leftovers
- Food allergies
- Swallowing cleaning products
- Feed intolerance
- Eating grass
- Gastrointestinal infection [7]
As a rule, dogs only report pain when it is very severe. This is also due to evolution. You can usually recognize it by the following symptoms:
- Sudden diarrhea
- Moaning while lying down
- Dog avoids running
- Strange behavior after eating
- Visible flatulence
- Gagging and vomiting
- Restless behavior
- Refusal of food [8]
If you have regular symptoms, I recommend changing the food and doing an allergy test. The veterinarian can also help with diagnosis and treatment.
Alternatively, such a free food check can also help to get individual food recommendations and free food samples.
Dogs with stomach pain use groaning, among other things, as a means of communication to draw attention to the pain. Often it is because the dog has swallowed something that was indigestible or has an allergic reaction to certain foods. The vet can help here.
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#4 Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip socket has a malformation. This causes the hip joint to rub when moving, which can cause problems over time.
Old dogs and large dog breeds are most often affected by this. This is especially true for Great Danes, Bernese Mountain Dogs and German Shepherds. [9]
Among other things, affected dogs express their pain by constantly moaning. Other typical symptoms of this are:
- Lack of motivation
- Avoiding jumps
- Dog growls
- Crunchy joints
- Problems climbing stairs
- Stiff gait [10]
Hip dysplasia is usually caused by genetics. However, various factors such as excessive training, obesity or malnutrition can promote it.
Special supplements, a change in diet, physiotherapy and pain-relieving medication are usually recommended for treatment.
Dogs with hip dysplasia experience increasing pain when walking, standing up and lying down. The groans and humming are just an expression of the pain. In addition, this disease can often be recognized by the way you run.
#5 Panosteitis
In humans, it takes between 18 and 25 years to reach full maturity. Depending on the breed, dogs mature after just 6 to 24 months. [11]
However, this incredible growth spurt is often accompanied by pain. Veterinarians refer to this as “panostitis”.
It is triggered by the dog's bones waking up too quickly and the rest of the body does not have enough time to adapt. Typical symptoms here are:
- Lack of motivation
- Dog moans all the time
- Unusual running style
- Sudden limp
- indifference
- Whining when lying down [12]
Growing pains are particularly common in German Shepherds. But other large breeds such as many Great Dane species are also affected by this.
Since this pain goes away on its own over time, anti-inflammatory ointments, supplements and medications are usually prescribed for treatment.
It is also advisable to consciously keep the amount of physical activity low for a few weeks so as not to put unnecessary strain on the bones. [13]
Large breeds often suffer from growing pains at a young age, which can manifest themselves in groaning, among other things. It can also often be recognized by the fact that the dog suddenly avoids certain movements, walks stiffly and appears listless.
#6 Dreams
Since dogs go through the same phases of sleep as humans, they also have dreams. In this they usually process situations they have experienced – just like we do.
In some cases, dreams can also satisfy unsatisfied longings or even express fears. You can often recognize dreams in dogs by the following signs:
- Paws move
- Dog growls or barks in his sleep
- Muscle twitching in the leg
- Sudden groan
- Moving eyelids [14]
It is unclear why exactly dogs moan from time to time while sleeping. It doesn't necessarily have to be a nightmare either. There is therefore no reason to worry here. On the contrary!
In general, dreams in dogs are considered a good sign. Because they symbolize that both the body and the mind are doing well. [15]
Dogs start to moan more often in their sleep when they are dreaming. It can usually be recognized by sudden muscle twitches during sleep or even a quiet bark. Since dreams are generally a good sign, there is no specific need for action here.
#7 Disappointment
Depending on the initial situation, dogs communicate frustration in 5 different ways: barking, whining, whining, whining and also moaning. Typical causes of this are:
- Dog doesn't get food from the table
- Jealousy because someone else is getting more attention
- The daily cuddle session has been cancelled
- Lack of physical or mental exercise
- Lack of attention
- Walking or food was forgotten
- Boredom or loneliness [16]
You can often tell if the dog looks sad while moaning and seeks eye contact with its owner. You can prevent this with the following tips:
- Buy a new toy every 2-3 weeks
- Organize playdates with other dogs
- Order such a ball throwing machine
- Extend your walk
- Introduce daily playtime [17]
If your dog lacks neither attention nor exercise, then either greed or jealousy is responsible for the frustration or the trigger lies somewhere else.
Dogs often show their frustration and disappointment through depressed behavior and moaning. During this time they usually look at their master to make him aware of the situation. The aim here is to identify the cause and then find solutions.
#8 Ascites
If the abdomen suddenly enlarges in dogs, it is often a case of ascites. Doctors also refer to this as “ascites”.
This unusual flatulence also causes, among other things, pressure to be placed on the organs, resulting in pain. Other symptoms are here:
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling of weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Moaning when breathing
- Unusual confusion
- Diarrhea
- Groaning when lying down [18]
The causes of this are very diverse. Starting with injuries, inflammation and…