Why Does My Dog Sigh?

Have you ever wondered what makes your dog sigh? They might be subtly trying to communicate with you. 

Have you ever been sitting on the sofa, or working away at your home office, when your dog lets out a huge sigh? Are you curious about what they might be trying to say, or if they are suffering from something in silence? 

What Is A Sigh?

Before we go over the reasons why a dog might sigh, we should probably understand what a sigh is. You most likely already know what a sigh is. In fact, you’ve most likely sighed before. 

A sigh is defined as a long and deep breath that also emits some form of emotion. A sigh is also twice the length or volume of a standard breath according to science. 

But when it comes to understanding the cause of a sigh, regardless if it’s from a human or a dog, you need to know the context that led up to the sigh. If our furry friends emit some type of sigh, we need to understand the events that led them to sigh and try and piece the clues together! 

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Why Do Dogs Sigh?

When people sigh, it’s usually associated with feelings of relief, sadness, or exhaustion. But what if your dog sighs? Here are some reasons why your dog might sigh.

1. They are Happy and Comfortable

If your dog sighs during sweet, comforting, or relaxing moments, then their sigh might mean that they are happy. For example, if your dog sighs during any of the following activities:

• when you pet them;
• when they snuggle up next to you; or
• when you give them a big hug.

This could simply mean that they are happy. Humans tend to let out a sigh when they’re happy, and this is also true for our dogs. 

2. They’re tired.

If your dog lets out a sigh at the end of the day, this could mean that they are tired and ready to hit the hay. We do this too when we’re tucked into the bed and ready to go to sleep. So the next time your dog lets out a deep sigh as the day comes to a close, just know they are cosy and entering relaxation mode. 

3. Feeling Overwhelmed

If your dog appears to be stressed out when they let out a sigh, this could mean that they feel overwhelmed at their current situation. In this situation, your dog may exhibit other symptoms of being overwhelmed, such as growling, huffing, or trembling. If your dog is sighing as a sign of nervousness or struggling to cope with their current stress, it’s probably best to remove them from the situation. 

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Should I Be Worried?

Should dog owners be worried if they hear their dog sigh? Many owners think that their dogs are trying to tell them something when they let out a sigh. And that might be the case if your dog doesn’t sigh regularly. 

So while most reasons that a dog would sigh are listed above, there are other signs that you  should look out for which could mean that your dog is trying to tell you something more. 

If your dog is sighing due a pain or discomfort, they may exhibit the following symptoms accompanying the sigh:

• Trembling
• Panting
• Limping
• Lethargy
• Change in appetite
• Lack of interest
• Drooling
• Whining
• Flinching or crying out when touched.

If you notice your dog exhibiting any of the symptoms above, or behaving strangely, then you should reach out to your veterinarian. Explain your dog’s symptoms and thtey should be able to determine whether they need to assess your dog or not.

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Concluding Thoughts

In the majority of circumstances, a sigh from your dog is nothing to be concerned about. As long as they are not displaying any signs of pain or discomfort with their sigh, you can rest assured that their sigh is most likely a release of their emotions, just like us humans.