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Why Does My Dog Moan When He Lays Down

If the noise your dog makes when he lies down is more of a grunt than a moan or groan, it is probably an expression of comfort. Even human beings grunt when they plop down in their favorite chairs at the end of the day, finally comfortable and relaxed. It may help to think of the noise as your dog’s way of sighing with pleasure. The pleasure sigh is a common phenomenon in dogs. Their eyes begin to drift shut and they lay their head down, enjoying the feeling of contentment. Interestingly, though, if they act in the same way but their eyes stay open, they may be expressing disappointment. The context of the situation may also give you a clue as to which emotion the dog is feeling. After all, if you tell your dog it’s not time to go out for a walk, he or she is unlikely to sigh contentedly. So, what if your dog is already lying down or even asleep when he or she starts to grunt? It may just be what naturally happens when the dog shifts positions, just like what happens when you shift around in the aforementioned favorite chair. If your dog is looking at you when he or she grunts, though, it may be a casual yet friendly “hello.” Happy to see you but comfortable, your dog gives you his or her version of a polite nod.

Grunting while asleep may also be an involuntary sound that goes along with your dog’s breathing or shifting of position, although it may also be a sign that your dog is having a nightmare. There are some cases in which grunting or groaning while lying down may be a sign of pain. Young large-breed dogs often make noises as they get up and lie down because they are experiencing growing pains, which are benign and resolve with time. In older dogs, it may be a sign of arthritis or a condition known as canine ascites. This common and uncomfortable illness is characterized by the buildup of fluid in the abdomen and causes both digestive and respiratory upset.

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