I learned on a few forums on the internet that one of the most frequently asked questions about Greyhounds is why they puff their cheeks. In order to minimize your workload, I have researched it, because I myself am a dog lover. This is what I found.
Why is it that Greyhounds puff their cheeks? Your Greyhound may puff her cheeks for a number of different reasons which includes stress relief, way of communication, aggression, psychological issue, health disease etc. In these situations, you will need to figure out first what your fur baby is going through and act accordingly.
I have found 7 possible reasons why a Greyhound puffs her cheeks. I have also included what you can do in these situations. Continue reading to know more.
Do Greyhounds Puff Their Cheeks Very Often?
Puffing usually occurs when your Greyhound quickly exhales, causing her cheeks to puff out. Greyhounds are normally nonaggressive and enjoy peace and quiet. Some people also compare their behavior in the house to that of a cat.
Dogs can puff their cheeks in a playful manner with other dogs on occasion. However, for the majority of dogs, this is not a positive sign.
Depending on what your Greyhound might be going through, they may puff their cheeks randomly or at a regular basis. By paying close attention, you may be able to figure it out.
7 Possible Reasons: Why Does Your Greyhound Puff Her Cheeks?
There can be many reasons why your Greyhound canine is puffing her cheeks. Read below to know more about them.
#1 Your Greyhound Is Puffing Cheeks In Communication With Other Dogs
As I mentioned before, puffing cheeks in dogs may not be a good sign. When engaging with other dogs, puffing cheeks may indicate that either or both pups are about to strike. This is what dogs usually do before attacking, as they let out a warning growl or snarl.
Greyhounds are calm dogs. As a result, they will rarely puff their cheeks at other dogs as they are about to strike.
If you see your canine huffing or puffing at another dog, hold her at a safe distance from the other pet and remove her from the situation as soon as possible. When you see other dogs acting in this manner against your dog, do the same thing.
#2 Your Greyhound Is Puffing Cheeks At Kids or Adults
Like other dogs, it is also possible that your Greyhound is puffing cheeks at humans. This indicates that your dog is afraid, anxious, or upset about something or someone, and is likely to strike.
Take the person or dog away from the place as soon as possible. If not, your Greyhound is likely to harass the person who is being targeted in a negative way.
Often, this may be a fun act, but most of the time it is a reckless act and nowhere close to playful. Teaching kids how to deal with puppies will also help to avoid any of these incidents in the future.
#3 Is Your Greyhound Puffing Refers To Action Of Exhaling Rapidly?
Puffing is the act of rapidly exhaling, which causes the cheeks to puff out. It is also a term for “huffing” which entails making a low-pitched growl or bark while puffing out or vibrating the cheeks. Although some of the explanations may be concerning, some may not be. Other than puffing cheeks, look for other signs, such as-
- Coughing:
To dislodge an obstacle that is obstructing the airways or nose, some dogs will blow out their cheeks or cough. When a dog has a cold or another infection or disease, they can do this as well.
- Sneezing:
When your fur baby sneezes or coughs, she might puff out her cheeks, which may indicate illness or choking.
- Panting Heavily:
It is possible that your Greyhound is puffing out her cheeks in consequence of heavy panting. See if your dog has been doing this after doing heavy activities or not.
- Looking Lethargic:
Another sign to look for when your dog is puffing cheeks, is if she is looking lethargic or not.
- Aggressive Barking:
See if your Greyhound is aggressively barking, or showing any other type of aggressive behavior.
#4 Is Your Greyhound Puffing The Cheeks Is Usually A Form Of Stress Relief?
Like people, dogs also have many different ways to relieve their stress. Puffing the cheeks is a common stress reliever. Besides, it can also be a sign of anxiety.
As your pup cannot say it herself, being the owner, try to understand if she is nervous or stressed for any reason. Pay attention to your Greyhound’s behavior before and after she puffs her cheeks. From a forum, I have found similar answers given by dog lovers. It is given below:
From: Community.dog.com
#5 Is Puffing Precursor To Escalating Aggressive Reactions Of Your Greyhound?
Your Greyhound’s puffing cheeks can even be a sign of growing aggressive behavior. As mentioned in section 3.3, these aggressive behaviors are shown through aggressive barking or other aggressive behaviors. The behavior is often aimed towards children or adults, as well as other animals.
So, keep a track of what makes your dog triggered in order to avoid such situations. As puff of cheeks can be a sign that she is getting prepared to attack, it gives you a bit of time to be cautious as well.
Related Reading: Why Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Bark So Much?
#6 Is Puffing The Cheeks While Breathing Indicate Lung Diseases?
Puffing the cheeks while breathing can often signify a variety of lung diseases. For example-
- Infections:
It is possible that the reason behind your Greyhound is puffing her cheeks while breathing is because of some sort of obstacle in the lung. Infection in the lung can be such a reason.
- Tumors:
Tumors can also give rise to lung disease. If you think your dog has trouble in her lungs and this is the reason behind her puffing cheeks, do not delay in taking her to the doctor before it gets serious.
- The Presence of Fluid:
Pulmonary edema is the term for fluid in the lungs of dogs. This can result in breathing difficulties and can also be the reason behind your Greyhound’s puffing cheeks.
#7 Is Puffing Of The Cheeks Suggests Certain Levels Psychological Problems
The puffing of your dog’s cheeks usually indicates psychological problems. Such as-
- Anxiety:
Your dog’s pacing, panting, frowning, blinking, lip licking and pacing are all signs of tension and anxiety. This can be a possible reason why your Greyhound is puffing her cheeks.
- Arousal:
Arousal is a physiological and psychological condition in which a dog is awake or reacts to stimuli. High arousal levels in dogs can be troublesome, and they can also cause puffy cheeks.
- Stress:
As I mentioned in section 3.4, your Greyhound’s puffing cheeks can be a result of stress relief. Notice what your dog is stressed about and take actions accordingly.
Warning Signs When Your Greyhound Is Puffing His Cheeks Excessively!
It is possible that your Greyhound’s excessive puffing of the cheeks or huffing is not severe, but it may be. Pay close attention to your dog’s behavior before and after she puffs her cheeks. Is there a sneeze or cough?
Is your dog acting tense? What happens during the puffing sessions on the cheeks? Any of those extra factors may point to stress or illness.
Remove your canine from the circumstance that is causing problems if stress is a factor. In a stressful situation, puffy cheeks are normally a sign of impending violence. Call your veterinarian right away if you notice any signs of sickness, such as coughing, sneezing, or choking.
What To Do When Greyhounds Puff Their Cheeks Without Any Reason?
Taking the dog to the vet on a regular basis and as soon as any medical signs appear is the safest way to avoid cheek puffing due to illness. Although this won’t avoid every case, finding problems early will help prevent them from deteriorating and causing more damage in the long run.
Behavioral or stress issues are the most common causes of aggressive cheek puffing. Positive pet parenting and avoidance of harmful methods of training will go a long way. Also, try to understand your Greyhound’s language.
You will be able to prevent a lot of problems if you know what bothers your dog. If you have kids, teaching them how to play with pups will help your Greyhound and child avoid many unpleasant and risky situations.
Greyhound’s Behavior Related Questions
Why Do Greyhounds Huff?
It sounds like the cross between an exhale and a bark as dogs quickly exhale a little bit of the air while huffing. Huffing is very close to puffing. The symptoms are also similar. Just like puffing, if your Greyhound is huffing excessively take her to the doctor as soon as you figure it out.
While I was going through a few forums a saw different opinions for the reason behind huffing from different dog owners. One of them was like this-
From: community.dog.com
Why Does Your Greyhound Stare At You?
Greyhounds have a habit of staring at their owners, which can be disturbing. The Greyhound’s way of establishing a link with you, communicating with you, and preserving that connection throughout her life is to stare at you. Many owners believe that the Greyhound looks at you because she loves you, which is right.
Besides, they might be curious about what you are doing, or they might want something you have, or simply want your time.
I found some answers on this topic from experienced Greyhound owners which are given below-
From: forum.greytalk.com
From: forum.greytalk.com
Why Does Your Greyhound Whine At You?
Your Greyhound’s whining can be a way of telling you something. She may whine to signal that it is time for a pre-scheduled operation, such as her exercise or meal. They also whine if something is bothering them; perhaps a bad stomach or injury.
It is basically a form of communication. You have to pay close attention in order to understand what they are trying to say and take actions accordingly.
This is what I found from a forum post on this matter-
From: forum.greytalk.com
Are Greyhounds Clingy?
Greyhounds are needy in nature. They tend to follow their owners everywhere. They are shy in front of new people. But once they get to know them well , they become attached.
Besides, there can be many reasons that may make your Greyhound more clingy, which includes- fear and anxiety, medical cause, boredom etc. However, separation anxiety is not at all like clingy behaviour.
Below I have provided a screenshot of a Reddit post where a user also experienced the same issue with his/her Greyhound-
From: reddit.com
Why Do Greyhounds Lean?
All Greyhound owners experience their dog leaning against them. This gives your Greyhound a sense of security. Your canine also feels physically protected by leaning.
Greyhounds like to display their devotion with their entire body, so they may snuggle up with you at bedtimes and lean up against you for comfort. Besides, if your dog is nervous, you will notice that she is leaning on you in certain situations. This will be a stress reliever for her.
Why Do Greyhounds Look So Sad?
If your dog’s attitude has unexpectedly changed and she became a sad dog from a happy dog, it is likely due to a medical issue. Check if your pup has thyroid issues or not as this is a common physical issue among this dog breed.
If you have changed her schedule, food or moved to a new place, it can also be the reason behind her sadness. Besides, if you are not giving her enough attention they can get easily sad.
Over To You
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Further Readings:
Related Topics:
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