Why Do French Bulldogs Cry So Much?


close-up of an adult French Bulldog

There are no proven studies that claim why dogs cry. The sound of a dog’s moans is often considered to be crying. However, have you ever wondered why this was so? When we talk about the crying French Bulldog and the reason for their watery eyes, you should know a million things about it. So let’s start!

Why do French Bulldogs cry so much? A couple of reasons could be he wants attention from you, he wants food, or he needs a potty break. If you are sure it is none of these reasons, it could be a medical reason. So let’s dive into some of the other reasons.

The reasons for your French bulldog cries

Dogs are the only creatures to love us unconditionally, why? They can feel our emotions. They come to us to share our sadness when we feel depressed. In other words, they can sense their owner’s feelings and be compassionate with them.

The French Bulldog breed is unlike any other breed. Nothing makes these little gremlins happier than to be with their owner. And for dog owners, we are certain that there is no greater happiness than seeing their dogs running towards their hugs and waving their tails to show how happy they feel to see us again.

Is your Bulldog crying?

French bulldogs can indeed cry. However, their understanding of crying is very different from ours. When we talk about the dog’s mourning sound, like moans, you should know that there are several reasons for such behavior.

Most often, the sound of your Bulldog’s moans often refers to his desire for attention, food, or a break from the pot. Therefore, before you start to think your dog has a problem, my advice is to make sure he doesn’t ask for some of the things mentioned above.

So if your Bulldog moans often, he has probably understood the link between an action and achieving the goal. This is how your dog’s complaints become a behavioral problem that can drive you crazy.

To resolve this problem, you can seek advice from a dog behavior specialist. Since you should be your dog’s pack leader, spoilage is not allowed. Even if it is cruel not to give your dog treats or toys, it is the only way to live with an obedient animal.

Another reason for the “crying” of your French Bulldog can be found in separation anxiety. It is a health problem where a dog fears being left alone at home. So he begins to bark and moan, gasp and wonder nervously from room to room. Separation anxiety affects dogs of all ages. However, companion breeds such as Bulldogs are at a higher risk of developing this disease.

We should also note that dogs with chronic pain will not moan. Of course, it is reasonable to see a dog scream when he accidentally walks on a sharp object or when he faces postoperative pain. Constant plaintive behavior will only highlight that there is a behavior problem with your furry friend.

A Solution To French Bulldogs Crying?

Just like humans, dogs’ eyes have tear ducts that help them function normally. However, when we talk about crying, they cannot cry for emotional reasons. If you see your French Bulldog crying than probably something is wrong. 

To find a solution for a crying Frenchy we must first know why he is crying. Here are the most common reasons for this.

Blocking the tear ducts

Allergies in French bulldogs

Eye infection in French bulldogs

Blocking the tear ducts

A tear duct blockage is a common reason for a frenchy to cry. Sometimes the dog can develop a bit of a red eye. 

To prevent your Bulldog from clogging the tear ducts, I recommend that you use the tear stain remover regularly. It is antibacterial, so you can use it to cleanse your Bulldog’s eyes. You can apply a few drops on a cotton ball, then gently wash your dog’s eyes. To remove old tear stains, you will need approximately 2 weeks of use.

You can get the tear drops from your vet. It’s always wise to consult a vet first.

Allergies in French bulldogs

Unfortunately, Bulldogs run a higher risk of suffering from environmental allergies. Crying is an allergic reaction, and often goes hand in hand with itching and redness. 

In most cases, seasonal pollen and dust are the ones that cause such problems. To prevent your Bulldog from crying, you can get prescribe corticosteroid drops from your vet and frequent eyewashes.

Eye infection in French bulldogs

Does your Bulldog release yellow or mucous secretions? If the answer is yes, your little gremlin will need antibiotic eye drops. Redness and itching are other symptoms that may follow the eye infection.

The delicate eyes of the French Bulldog: tips and basic care

The French Bulldog usually suffers from eye diseases by having very exposed eyes and making an incomplete blink. Here are some necessary precautions and care that will help preserve your vision and improve your quality of life.

Why are the eyes of the French Bulldog so delicate?

The French Bulldog is one of the breeds called brachycephalic by the shape of its head: flat nose, facial folds, and very exposed eyes.

The eyes of the French Bulldog are very bulging. Usually, they perform an incomplete and very low-frequency blinking, especially if they are distracted walking or playing.

This all makes tears not spread well across the surface of the eye. Your eyes have few defenses and are more likely to be injured since they become infected or have poor healing.

How to take care of the French Bulldog’s eyes

In front of any pain symptoms, greenish, or very red-eye, it is essential to go to our veterinarian before applying any product. In the case of the French Bulldog, this advice is especially important.

The veterinarian should check your tear production and measure the eyelid opening, to ensure proper lubrication of the ocular surface.

In case of incomplete eyelid closure, surgery may be advisable to solve it and thus avoid possible ulcers with a risk of loss of vision and blindness.

Also, it is advisable to take the following precautions daily:

Apply drops or tear gels, especially before going outside

• Take good care of eye hygiene, clean legañas with special products

• Perform a thorough eye check between 9 and 12 months of age to rule out significant risks

• Follow prescriptive eye pressure controls

The first year review, the key to prevention

A good ophthalmologic check when the eye is practically fully developed will rule out the main risks to your vision in adult life.

What is essential for the review at 9-12 months?

1. Discard congenital cataract

2. Eye pressure control to prevent glaucoma

3. Schimmer test or tear test to assess dry eyes

From these tests, the veterinary ophthalmologist will determine when periodic check-ups or other special care are necessary.

Glaucoma and ulcers, main risks

The main risks for the French Bulldog’s vision are glaucoma and ulcerations or wounds on the surface of the eye. The wounds have a high tendency to become infected ( infectious keratitis ) and to heal poorly.

The French Bulldog can lose vision if they do not act in time to high eye pressure or an eye injury.

Other Common Eye Diseases In The French Bulldog And How To Prevent Them

Congenital cataract

A cataract is the loss of transparency of the lens. The lens that is inside the eye, behind the pupil. It helps you see better. In the French Bulldog, it is common for this particularity to be present from birth, or in very young animals (congenital cataract).

The only therapeutic option of cataract is surgery. The technique of choice in domestic animals is the phacoemulsification of the lens: extraction of the opacified lens and replacement with an intraocular lens that performs its function.

Indolent ulcer

Indolent ulcers, also called torpid or boxer ulcers, are a type of corneal ulcer whose cause is a congenital defect in the epithelium. It is the most superficial layer of the cornea.

In these cases, the epithelium detaches the central and stronger layer of the cornea, generating a blister that, when bursting, causes a corneal wound that is difficult to heal.

It is vital to act on time, since an intervention may be necessary to avoid bad healing, recurrence, and irreversible loss of vision.

Dry eye

Dry eye is a reasonably complex pathology that requires continuous monitoring. In severe cases, corneal ulcers and opacities may appear, which can lead to significant visual deficits.

Most patients with dry eyes should be treated throughout life with artificial tears and/or stimulators of tear secretion.

In the case of the French Bulldog, even when its tear secretion is sufficient, it is advisable to apply drops or tear gels before going outside. Given its high exposure to allergens and pathogens.

The proper use of the treatments we have today allows the control and relief of symptoms in the vast majority of patients. Some animals that do not tolerate or do not respond well to a type of artificial tears or stimulants of tear secretion may respond much better to others.

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is one of the most common eye conditions. Still, it usually has no complications in the case of the French Bulldog. 

It involves the inflammation of the conjunctiva, a transparent membrane that surrounds the eye and protects it. When the conjunctiva blood vessels become inflamed, it is when the red-eye is observed.

The treatment is usually quite simple in the case of allergic conjunctivitis. Infectious conjunctivitis is also called pink eye. It is convenient for the ophthalmologist to determine which medication is more suitable for the infection.

Dermoid cyst

The dermoid cyst is a layer of skin or epidermal tissue, usually with hair that appears in the conjunctiva, in the cornea, or in the eyelid (palpebral dermoid cyst).

It is a congenital problem that is usually detected in very young puppies. It should be operated as soon as the animal has developed its defenses, provided that the discomfort is not excessive.

Distichiasis

Dystrichiasis is a disease in which hairs appear on the edge of the eyelid. The hair touches the cornea. They are eyelashes that are born in the so-called Meibomian glands.

Laser treatment (diode laser photodepilation) is the least aggressive option with the eyelid and gives better results. Other cautery or cryotherapy techniques can cause changes in the eyelids and the surface of the eye. 

In the case of the French Bulldog, it can create new problems by worsening the tear secretion, etc.

Ectopic Cilia

The ectopic cilia is a hair that is born on the inner face of the eyelid. It is touching the cornea.

It is a much less frequent pathology.

Iris cyst

They are small fragments of tissue in the uvea, which are filled with fluid.

The veterinary ophthalmology specialist must determine its cause to decide if it is necessary to treat it, or if it is sufficient to follow it up.

Conclusion

As you can see there can be many reasons for Frenchies to cry.

Are you are sure he is satisfied in his primary needs: food, water, potty breaks, playtime and attention from you? 

Then check your dog for symptoms and see if it corresponds to any of the medical conditions above, and check with your vet.

Erwin Borgers

Hi, I’m Erwin. I grew up with two cats, but I always wanted to have a dog. Since my wife and I lived together, we have Mayla. She is a very sweet King Charles Spaniel. Together we spend countless of hours in the forest near our home. We love to walk together and now I want to share what I learned about walking dogs and what I learned about dog gear with you.

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