Why do French bulldogs cry so much?
Frenchie parents: Fess up! How often do you wish you knew what your Frenchie’s crying meant?
Chances are – pretty often!
After all, this breed is notorious for its crying. But the thing is: you must understand that crying is your french bulldog’s way of talking to you. You only need to figure out what he/she is saying!
All Frenchies make a plethora of sounds which, to us might simply sound like howling, crying, barking, and whining.
But each sound has its own distinct meaning.
Here’s what you need to know why do French bulldogs cry so much, so you can understand your canine companion better.
With this guide, you will soon be an expert!
Also Read: How Long Do Frenchies Live
Why Do French Bulldogs Cry So Much?
Crying, growling, whining, and barking are some of the main forms of vocal communication our Frenchies use from time to time.
If you hear your French bulldog crying, figuring what it is about can be a struggle too!
Dogs mostly cry when they want something or when they want to alert you to an issue. Sometimes, they simply cry for attention.
Let us break down the different types of crying in French bulldogs and the causes behind them:
1. To communicate with other dogs
Just like wolves in the wild cry and howl to communicate with their pack members, your Frenchie also uses crying and howling to communicate with other animals/dogs in the vicinity.
In short, your Frenchie cries because it has inherited this means of vocal communication from its wolf ancestor. To an extent, some amount of crying, whining, and howling is important and even natural for a Frenchie.
2. For protecting its territory
Crying in dogs is a territorial conduct. Your Frenchie might cry or whine if it sees another dog, bird, or a stranger approaching its territory.
In most cases, they are aware of their small size and probably know they are defenseless, so they use their cry to warn you (its humans) about this approaching ‘danger’.
Note that, Frenchies, like all dogs, tend to become even more territorial at night. This can trigger more bouts of crying and howling at night time.
3. Separation anxiety
Frenchies are inherently a nervous, anxious dog breed. They typically cry if you leave them home alone or make them sleep alone in another room. This stems from the breed’s separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety, in turn, stems from dogs’ pack mentality – they are born to live and work in packs and tend to get anxious when separated from their pack members. In case of domesticated dogs a pack constitutes of their humans.
To some extent, you could train your Frenchie to be left alone for long periods of time but you need to do so from an early age.
This will de-sensitize your Frenchie so it can easily stay alone during the day and even sleep alone in their crate at night.
4. For attention
Frenchies often cry for attention seeking.
Typically, a french bulldog temperament is characterized by less barking and more crying. They can be so stubborn when looking for attention.
They simply want you to look at them, feed them, cuddle or snuggle with them, or give them attention in the form of taking them for a walk or playing with them.
Attention seeking is a way of saying ‘hey, I am here, look at me! My needs are not fulfilled!’
In most cases, your Frenchie might make the crying sound 2-3 times and sit staring at you for a long time.
5. Distress cry on being left alone
Another reason why Frenchies cry is because of the distress caused by being isolated or left home all alone for a long time.
The distress cry might last longer, often the entire period they are left alone. Your neighbors might tell you about it!
If you want to be a French bulldog owner, make sure you are not always out of the house or, you’re back at home right before they start whining or crying endlessly!
6. Injuries or illness
Abnormal crying in a Frenchie could be a result of some kind of disease, pain, illness, or injury. If the crying continues, you must not hesitate to take it to the vet.
You have to regularly look out for some symptoms of dental disease, eye injury, intestinal parasites, inflammatory bowel disease, skin or eye infections. The painful condition can lead your pup to abnormal crying especially at night.
Note that not all injuries are visible and could be internal injuries. Digestive upsets and kidney stones can give them a painful, hard time. If you suspect one, please do not ignore it and take your pet to the vet straight away.
7. It is tired, irritated, or upset
Frenchies live by strict routines and schedules like all dogs.
Sometimes, your pet might be very tired and unable to sleep due to loud noises, musical instruments, children shouting and playing, and so on.
If your pup has frequent ear infections, they can be very irritated by loud sounds.
If there is a continuous sound of vehicular traffic, fireworks, or thunderstorms too, then too your Frenchie might cry.
8. Stress
Stress can also trigger crying in pets. Your Frenchie might be stressed due to a change in its environment or routine.
Stress can come from a new pet, a new baby, or other addition to the household and can trigger bouts of crying. Note that this form of crying is involuntary and your Frenchie cannot help it.
9. Depression
In rare cases, continuous crying could be a result of depression. Your Frenchie might get depressed if another pet dies or a family member goes away for a prolonged period.
Memories of that animal’s/human’s scent can trigger bouts of crying.
10. To apologize to you
If you have reprimanded your Frenchie for bad behavior then too it could cry as a way of apologizing to you.
Frenchies are sensitive dogs and they know when you are angry with them.
So, if you have reprimanded your Frenchie for indulging in some sort of bad or unwanted behavior, then it might cry as a way of saying: ‘Hey, I am sorry, please don’t be mad!’
Now that you know the causes behind ‘why do French bulldogs cry so much’, let is see the solutions for the issue.
How to Stop Your Frenchie’s Crying
A smart Frenchie owner can distinguish between different kinds of crying and learn to handle each type differently.
Based on the triggers of the crying, you can do one of the following to handle it:
A. Give it attention
Frenchies are like kids – they thrive on love and attention.
Sometimes, your pet might be bored and might cry because it wants you to pick it up or spend time with and shower it with love and attention.
You might want to be selective here: too much attention and your Frenchie will get used to it or start demanding attention all the time.
For example, if your Frenchie dislikes walking and exercise, it might demand that you pick it up and cry for the same every time.
So learn to decipher the situation and avoid unintentionally encouraging the behavior. The key is to respond selectively.
B. Give it what it wants
Sometimes, your Frenchie might stop crying right away after its needs are met – food, treats, toilet breaks, warmth, and so on.
We understand that it can get annoying if your Frenchie cries all the time, but, in most cases, once your pet’s needs are met, the crying will stop.
C. Tire your pet out
A tired dog won’t have energy left for unnecessary crying or whining.
Every healthy Frenchie needs at least an hour of exercise which you can divide into two or three shorter sessions.
This could include walking, playing a game of fetch, even swimming. Even senior Frenchies need their daily rounds of exercise without which they could get depressed and cry incessantly.
D. Provide mental stimulation as well
In addition to physical exercise, also stimulate your buddy mentally. A French bulldog breed is known for their being smart and agreeable which will make it easy if you want them to get trained in certain skills.
You could try setting up an obstacle course, giving your pet some treats hidden inside a treat-dispensing toy , dog puzzles , etc.
Also Read: Best Chew Toys for French Bulldogs
E. Never yell or punish
Sometimes, pet parents end up shouting or hitting their pets for excess crying.
This is not at all a correct approach to the situation. Yelling, hitting, punishing, etc. might make your Frenchie shy, aggressive, timid, or fearful.
If your dog’s whining can make you frustrated, try your best to figure out what they want to communicate instead of punishing them.
F. Ignore the behavior
Often, the best things to do, especially when your Frenchie is crying for treats or food, is to ignore the behavior.
My dog often cries when she wants to be fed. After eating, she cries again because she wants her treats or even more food.
Since she is on a diet these days, we have no choice but to ignore her. She usually stops crying once she realizes she isn’t getting anything.
G. Desensitize your pet to handle fear
If your Frenchie is crying due to noisy background, thunderstorms, fireworks, etc. then you might want to desensitize it to handle these sources of fear – especially if they are frequent occurrences.
These days, you have special CDs for dogs that play sounds like doorbells, firecrackers, thunderstorms, etc.
You need to play the CD every day, starting at a low volume and then slowly increasing it.
You can play it from different parts of the house. Very soon your Frenchie will sleep right through those sounds and even when the real noise occurs, it won’t have any crying spells!
H. Do not ignore pain/injury related crying
You will be able to tell when your Frenchie’s crying is not normal. If your pet is crying due to an injury, illness, or a medical issue, please have a vet examine it right away.
How to Calm Anxiety or Fear Related Crying in Frenchie?
Here are some proven ways to calm anxiety and fear-related crying in Frenchies. These methods are recommended by the Central California SPCA
1. Physical contact and massage therapy
Frenchies love being touched and they especially love cuddling with their dog owner.
If your pet is feeling very anxious or fearful, you could provide it a relaxing massage. To do so, start at its neck and shoulders and move down to the base of the tail. Repeat. You can also massage its face gently.
Alternatively, you could simply pet your furbaby, hug it, kiss it, and/or ruffle its fur. Spend time sitting next to it.
2. Music therapy
Dogs love music and many dogs respond to classical music, harp music, etc.
Play some relaxing music to see if it stops your Frenchie’s crying.
3. Hemp-based calming treats
Vets recommend hemp or CBD based calming dog treats to relax dogs that are afraid or anxious.
You could try these Hemp Calming Treats which has been known to curb anxiety and fear in dogs of all sizes.
4. A calming donut-shaped bed
A calming donut bed with soft cover is reminiscent of mother dog’s fur and can curb anxiety and fear related crying, house soiling, etc. in younger Frenchies.
5. Anti-anxiety dog jackets/wraps
Anti-anxiety behavior modification wraps or jackets can also calm your Frenchie during fireworks, thunderstorms, etc.
FAQs on Why Do French Bulldogs Cry So Much
1. Why are Frenchies so needy?
Frenchies are needy and clingy dogs because they are bred to be companion dogs. This means that they always need their humans around them.
Early French bulldogs were selectively bred to constantly accompany their humans. This has caused them to become Velcro dog breeds. This is also the root cause of its clingy behavior.
2. Why does my Frenchie moan?
Of all the sounds a Frenchie makes, moaning is one of them. Not all kinds of moans and groans are signs of complaints. Some Frenchies also moan when they are contended.
You might have noticed your pet moan when it sinks into its soft bed or in a comfortable position.
3. Is it better to have two Frenchies?
Yes, Frenchies love to be in packs and if you are working outside all day, then it might be better to get two Frenchies.
That way, they can give each other company.
4. How can I tell if my Frenchie is happy?
Frenchies are clear communicators and they will let you know they are happy by wagging their tails, wiggling their bottoms, snuggling close to you, playing with their toys, looking at you with love, and yes, even smiling!
Conclusion – Why Do French Bulldogs Cry So Much?
Why do French bulldogs cry so much?
Frenchies might cry for attention, for having their unmet needs fulfilled, owing to separation, anxiety, from the fear of loud noises, or to communicate with other dogs, etc.
We hope this brief guide helps you decipher the reason behind your Frenchie’s crying and also come up with ways to handle it.
