6 Reasons Why Your Dog Sighs

Find out if your dog is feeling happy, disappointed, or something else entirely

Co-authored by Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC and Devin McSween

Last Updated: December 17, 2022 References

Reasons Dogs Sigh

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Reading Body Language

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When Sighs Mean Something More

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Expert Interview

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Expert Q&A

Does your dog ever sigh like they just got home from working 3 jobs and aren’t sure how they’re going to pay their bills? While you know that can’t be the case, your dog’s sighs do mean something. Dog sighs are completely normal and can tell you if they’re feeling content and relaxed, or disappointed and bored. In this guide, we’ll go over what your dog’s sighs can mean, how to decode their sighs, and if there are times when sighs indicate something is wrong.

Things You Should Know

Your dog's sighs can mean they’re content, dismayed, happy, bored, or want your attention.
If your dog sighs while laying down with their eyes closed, they’re relaxed. If they’re sitting with their eyes open and sigh, they’re disappointed or bored.
If your dog is sighing and whining or sighing excessively, this can mean they’re in pain or uncomfortable.

Section 1 of 3:

Reasons Dogs Sigh

1
They’re content. This is one of the most common reasons why dogs sigh. Your dog might give a long, deep sigh when they plop in their bed after a long day of playing, or when they snuggle up next to you after work to show that they’re happy you’re back.^{[1]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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They're feeling disappointed. This is another common reason why dogs sigh. Even if you’re done playing a game of fetch, your dog might not want to stop. When you come back inside, they might stare at you with pleading eyes, then huff a sigh of dismay when they realize play time really is over.^{[2]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
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- Keep your dog entertained with an interactive treat toy, like a Kong, or with a self-fetching toy.
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They’re happy. You might notice your dog sigh at you after a thorough, leg kicking belly rub or a particularly great bowl of dog chow. This sigh means they’re feeling satisfied, just like how you might sigh after a refreshing sip of lemonade on a hot day.^{[3]
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They’re bored. Maybe it’s raining and you can’t take your dog on their usual run, or you're busy and can't give your dog all the attention they crave. On these days, you might find your dog sighing at you to show you they want something to do.^{[4]
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- Buy your dog fun new toys, teach them new tricks, or take them to a dog park to keep them from feeling bored.
- If there are days you know you’re going to be busy, hire a dog walker to give your dog their much needed stimulation and exercise.
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They want your attention. A sigh can be your dog's way of telling you they want more pets and scratches, or that they loved the treat you gave them so much that they think they deserve another. Your dog will look directly at you or the thing they want as they sigh.^{[5]
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- Petting your dog or brushing them away when they sigh tells them that sighs get attention. If you want to break this behavior, ignore them and then give them a treat when they lie down or play with their toys quietly.^{[6]
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- However, if their sigh makes you realize that you haven’t played with them or taken them on a walk, be sure to do so!
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They’re deep in sleep. You’ve probably seen your dog twitch their feet and whine when they’re sleeping, and a sigh is just another reaction to their dreams. Maybe they’re contentedly dreaming about the ear scratches you gave them right before bed.^{[7]
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Section 2 of 3:

Reading Body Language

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See if your dog is laying down or sitting up. A hard plop onto the floor followed by a sigh and their head resting on their paws usually means your dog is happy and relaxed. If your dog is sitting up or standing, their sigh most likely indicates they’re a little annoyed.^{[8]
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Look at your dog’s eyes. If your dog is sighing as their eyes are half open or beginning to droop, they’re probably feeling content, happy, or tired. On the other hand, if their eyes are open and looking at you, they’re conveying their disappointment, boredom, or need for attention.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
Go to source}
3
Check if they’re relaxed or alert. It’s important to look at your dog’s whole demeanor to see what the sigh means. If your dog's ears are relaxed and their body is calm, the sigh means they’re at ease and peaceful. An alert position with ears perked up and head cocked can mean the sigh is disappointed or a request for attention.^{[10]
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Section 3 of 3:

When Sighs Mean Something More

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Sighs and groans together can mean your dog is in pain. While sighs alone are normal, look for signs of discomfort like whining and moaning while your dog is laying down. They might have an upset stomach which makes laying down uncomfortable. If your dog is older, they could be feeling the pains of arthritis.^{[11]
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- Make an appointment with your vet to see if the sighs mean something is bothering your dog.
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If your dog is sighing a lot, this can also mean they’re uncomfortable. It is easy to tell what your dog's sighs mean when they’re scattered throughout the day, but if your dog is sighing all the time, they might have a medical problem.^{[12]
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- Look for other pain cues like being lethargic or not eating before you call your vet.
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Increased noises can mean your dog's health is declining. Experts have noted that older dogs often make more noise when they lose their hearing or get confused with age. If your dog is older and sighing is new behavior for them, make an appointment with your vet to get them checked out.^{[13]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Why does my dog sigh before falling asleep?

Natalie Punt, DVM
Veterinarian
Dr. Natalie Punt is a Veterinarian and the Founder and CEO of mPet- a smart phone app for pet owners to store, manage and transfer their pets medical records and health information. She specializes in small animal emergency and general medicine and veterinary practice economics. Dr. Punt holds a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The University of California, Davis, an MS in Biochemistry from The University at Buffalo, and a DVM from Western University of Health Sciences.

Natalie Punt, DVM

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

For the same reason that humans do! Dogs sigh before falling asleep because they're releasing some tension and getting ready to relax and have a nice, peaceful rest.