My Dog Can’t Bark All of a Sudden: 3 Main reasons
Humans communicate with each other through gestures, facial expressions and their own voice. For dogs, their voice, barking, is also a means of communicating with the world around them. It is through their barking that they can express all their feelings, from anger and aggression to the utter ecstasy that a dog expresses when it sees its beloved owner.
Excessive barking makes people uncomfortable, but what should you do if your dog suddenly goes silent? Many owners think that if their dog stops barking, it’s not normal.
Can a dog lose voice?
This question might make you chuckle but trust us, it’s quite serious. During severe colds and other respiratory illnesses, people either lose their voice completely or wheeze and hiss in different ways. The same is true for dogs: when they catch a cold, our furry friends will sound hoarse in much the same way we do. Sometimes it’s not even about colds: dogs can strain their voices for hours on end after excessive barking.
Common reasons why your dog can stop barking
If you notice that your four-legged friend has stopped barking, you need to find out if it is because it’s upset, offended, just doesn’t want to bark, or is physically unable to make a sound.
If your pooch opens its mouth and doesn’t make a sound, you can’t just sit there. You must call the vet right away! It’s important to act quickly to make sure there is no serious physical problem. The source of this problem is often a throat condition or inflammation, such as laryngitis. Don’t underestimate the seriousness of your pet’s bad habits, which over time can damage their vocal cords. This means that the habit of barking too much can cause your dog to become hoarse.
On the other hand, if your dog has just returned from a walk, silence is quite normal: give it time to adapt and it will become as noisy as any dog! The same goes for dogs who have a difficult history, who have been severely beaten, and who have been psychologically traumatized. The best medicine in this case is patience, lots of love and attention.
In other words, there are as many reasons why some dogs don’t bark as there are reasons to bark. Here are some of the most common reasons why your dog doesn’t bark.
Ligament strain or health problems
If your pet has suddenly stopped barking, or if you think your pooch is trying to bark without making any sound, they might have gone hoarse due to barking too loudly. Recent surgery is another reason why a pet is quieter than usual. Or your dog just isn’t feeling well. And if your pupper suddenly goes quiet, that could also indicate a health problem. In any case, you should contact your veterinarian to find out the possible causes.
Laryngeal paralysis
A condition in which the windpipe can’t open normally with every breath and instead obstructs part of the animal’s airway is called laryngeal paralysis. It occurs in dogs of all breeds but is most common in Labrador retrievers. It’s worth noting that this condition shouldn’t be taken lightly as it’s quite dangerous. Not only does it affect a dog’s ability to bark – he often can’t eat, drink or swallow properly. This often requires surgical intervention. If you notice that your dog that was recently barking without any problems but suddenly stopped doing it, immediately show your pet to the medical specialist.
Lumps and tumors
Various lumps, bumps, polyps, growths, and tumors form in various parts of the body, including those that are responsible for breathing – larynx, throat, and so on. Such diseases develop, as a rule, slowly and accordingly, your pet loses its voice gradually, not immediately. To reassure readers: not all tumors and other masses are malignant. The earlier you seek help, the more effective the treatment will be.
Should you worry if your dog stops barking?
Every owner that takes care of their pet follows these rules:
- Continuously monitoring the pet’s health.
- Providing a balanced diet.
- Spending sufficient time with the pet to exercise and play.
If a pooch suddenly goes silent, a vigilant owner will spot the problem immediately and try to solve it in every possible way without giving themselves the slightest reason to worry.