As pet parents, we should strive to keep our dogs happy and healthy. But some dogs act more stoic in pain, making it difficult to help them.
If your dog continually yelps in pain, it means they are unhappy. They may be nervous, afraid, or in pain.
Learn why your dog keeps yelping and what you can do to stop the behavior.
What is Yelping in Dogs?
Dogs may start yelping and shaking all of a sudden and it can be scary. If you have no idea why they just suddenly yelped, try assessing the situation more thoroughly.
Examine if your dog has wounds and injuries. And take note of the environment that they are in.
If there is an environmental factor like a loud noise or a severe storm, make sure that they stop their behavior once everything goes back to normal.
This reaction to a storm or loud noise is natural, but if it persists, you should visit your veterinarian to establish the cause.
Why Your Dog Keeps Yelping
Unless it stops quickly, yelping is an abnormal dog behavior. Check your dog to determine the cause. Random yelping has two reasons:
Pain
Pain can cause your dog to yelp and shake. Your dog may be feeling pain in any part of their body but generalized pain in their neck or abdomen is especially frightening for your dog.
Your dog might also be aching because of an infection. For instance, a middle or inner ear infection is very painful for dogs and may cause them to yelp in pain when their ears are touched.
Look for other signs like change in stool appearance, lethargic movements, whimpering, and vomiting or diarrhea.
To avoid ear infections, these ear cleaner wipes are gentle and safe for regular use. They are free from alcohol and soothing to your pooch’s skin.
Your dog might also be yelping in pain because of cramps.
Yes, dogs can also have cramps because of the overexertion of the muscles.
Signs of muscle cramps include the following:
- twitching and tremor,
- limping,
- slow movement,
- and having temporary difficulty straightening their legs.
Prevent cramps and muscle spasms in your dog by giving them frequent little rests between play sessions and providing them with fresh water.
Another common reason for painful yelping is a joint problem. Joint problems can form due to two issues: developmental and degenerative problems.
Hereditary predisposition causes developmental difficulties. Larger-breed dogs, such Great Danes and German Shepherds, are prone to hip dysplasia.
These dogs may start to yelp in pain as they start to feel the effects of these conditions.
On the other hand, degenerative joint and muscle problems can occur due to overuse or age. Osteoarthritis is one common example of this.
A life spent playing, jumping, and running will eventually wear down a dog’s body.
Fear and Anxiety
Fear and anxiety aren’t the same things. A dog can be anxious without being scared.
Dogs who are afraid of anything start yelping and shaking when they are confronted with something that reminds them of a traumatic event.
Most dogs are scared of loud noises, like the sound of the razor when they’re being groomed.
These Dog Shaver Clippers are low-noise and are safe for dogs who get anxious at anything loud. The noise when working is only about 50 dB to help them feel more comfortable.
Anxiety is more common in dogs with a gentler disposition. They will yelp and shake when they are anxious. Normalizing your dog’s environment will reduce anxiety.
If your dog is always anxious, the ThunderShirt Sport Dog Anxiety Jacket is a reliable tool that effectively eases their anxiety during fireworks, thunder, separation, travel, vet visits, and much more.
They don’t require any type of training or medications since they work through a gentle pressure that feels like a comforting hug.
What to Do if Your Dog is Yelping
When your dog yelps, try to figure out why. Are they scared or hurt? If you think your dog needs medical attention, call your vet right away.
But if they’re experiencing fear, calm them down without feeding into their fear.
When you go to the vet, a full assessment will be done to figure out what is causing your dog to yelp.
Diagnostic tests will be needed if the cause is not found right away. Once they are diagnosed, the vet will come up with a treatment plan for your dog.
Certain medications will be required as well as therapies. Your dog might even undergo surgery depending on why they are yelping.
Long-term pain management plans may be necessary to alleviate your dog’s pain and suffering from joint or muscle problems.
Keep Your Pet Happy and Healthy.
It’s the best way to avoid their random yelping. As dog parents, we want to make sure that our dogs are always physically and emotionally fine.
Don’t panic if they start yelping out of nowhere. Examine their bodies for wounds. Examine the environment for sources of fear or anxiety.
It’s always best to consult your vet for long-term solutions to their medical condition. They may require Fido to undergo therapy, medication, or surgery.
As for you, you can help ease their discomfort by making sure they are always free from pain and discomfort.
Avoid ear infections by cleaning their ears regularly, and make sure to use tools that could alleviate their anxiety.
