When dogs squeak and are restless, this is usually a sign of unfulfilled longing or existing pain. Under certain circumstances, it can also indicate poisoning, negative emotions, arthritis, a lack of workload, or even stomach pain.
There is usually only cause for concern when the dog’s daily needs have been met and it still seems upset.
In the following, you will learn about the 7 most common causes, how to recognize them, and what to do in a specific case.
1. Unsatisfied Desires
Dogs use both their behavior and verbal sounds to communicate. The following longings could be the trigger for the strange behavior:
- Attention
In addition to daily exercise, a good portion of attention is also part of the dog’s daily needs. If this is missing, then he will also show you that loudly.
- hunger and thirst
Especially greedy breeds such as Labradors are very impatient when eating. If the daily portion was too small, then you can get ready for something.
- Urge to defecate
Young dogs in particular can only hold in their urine for a very short time. However, if the bladder is very strong, then four-legged friends like to start squeaking and become restless.
- Sex drive
Unneutered males have an almost constant high sex drive, while females only come into heat twice a year. Here they like to patrol around in front of the windows.
- Sleep
If dogs do not get enough sleep due to a noisy environment or constant distraction, then stress hormones cause increasingly nervous behavior.
When dogs aren’t getting enough attention, sleep, or food, they’re more likely to show it with wheezing and physical agitation. The sex drive or a strong urge to defecate can also be responsible for this behavior.
2. Stomach Pain
The entire digestive system of dogs is still very primitive. This is primarily due to the fact that the four-legged friends only became more and more omnivores after being tamed.
In dogs, even small things are enough to overwhelm the stomach and intestines or cause abdominal pain. Typical causes of this are:
- Dog eats grass
- Food intolerance
- Mold in the feed
- Human leftovers
- Spoiled feed
- Food allergies
In the vast majority of cases, stomach pain can be recognized by the dog refusing food, constantly squeaking, and becoming increasingly restless. Other typical symptoms are:
- Severe flatulence
- Dog licks lips
- Gagging and vomiting
- Lethargic behavior
- Diarrhea
- Loud stomach noises
- Sudden drooling
Because there you not only get individual feed recommendations but also a free box packed with feed samples for testing.
Dogs with existing stomach pains often begin to whine and squeak. Among other things, abdominal pain can also be recognized by drooling, loud stomach noises, and constant licking of the lips. Fasting usually helps here as a treatment.
3. Lack of Utilization
In the past, dogs were primarily used for hunting and herding. No wonder, then, that most breeds have an enormous amount of energy on a daily basis.
The problem? With today’s lifestyle in big cities and without a big yard, many cannot let out their daily energy. Typical signs are here:
- Chewing on shoes or furniture
- Digging inside the apartment
- Constant beeping and whining
- The dog destroys his own basket
- Nervous or restless behavior
Here, the unusual behavior is simply an expression of frustration, excess energy, and boredom. The solution is therefore to use the dog more:
- Get new toys regularly
- Organize play meetings with other dogs
- Get an indoor and outdoor ball-throwing machine
- Adjust the apartment size to the size of your dog
- Take your dog jogging
It is important that you not only support your dog physically but also mentally. And the more work he gets, the calmer he will be in the future.
When dogs have too much energy during the day and no way to get rid of it, they often start wheezing. Destroying objects, suddenly running around, and generally very restless behavior are also common here.
4. Poisoning
Suspected poisoning is one of the three most common reasons dog owners visit the vet. However, poison baits are only the cause in exceptional cases.
Rather, the ignorance of many first-time owners leads to poisoning. Because they are often not aware that even normal food can be toxic to dogs. This includes:
- Grapes and raisins
- All products with cocoa
- Alcohol and hops
- Sugar Alcohol “Xylitol”
- Some types of nuts
- Avocado and Avocado Oil
In addition, dogs’ curiosity often leads them to accidentally swallow medicines, poisonous plants and cleaning products. Typical symptoms of poisoning are:
- Frequent vomiting
- Dog starts squeaking
- Sudden tremor
- Increasing breathing problems
- Restless behavior
- Diarrhea
Since the kidneys and liver are responsible for processing toxins, this can lead to permanent organ damage. Here it is important to become active immediately.
It is also essential for the treatment to know what caused the poisoning. Veterinarians often try to get the dog to vomit with medication first.
If dogs have swallowed toxic food or other things, symptoms of poisoning can occur. Whipping and physical restlessness is just one of many typical signs. Tremors and breathing problems are also common here.
5. Anxiety & Stress
In stressful situations or when dogs feel threatened, the body releases stress hormones. Adrenaline and cortisol are among the best known here.
However, in young dogs or four-legged friends with low self-confidence or an existing trauma, even everyday situations can lead to this. Typical triggers are:
- Noise and noise above 85 decibels
- Lack of socialization at a young age
- loneliness and separation anxiety
- Increasing Dementia in old dogs
- Severe storms with thunder
Especially sensitive four-legged friends such as lap dogs often have to struggle with fear. It can usually be recognized by physical restlessness. Other typical symptoms are:
- Licking the lips
- Dog walks around at night
- Whining and squeaking
- Dog constantly changing the berth
- Sudden tremor
- Retracted rod
- Constant yawning
The solution? Identify the trigger and eliminate it. Alternatively, you could also proactively get your four-legged friend used to it. However, you should proceed step by step here.
In the case of severe anxiety disorders or existing trauma, calming supplements or even medication can also be useful. That’s more of Plan Z, though.
Strong fear or chronic stress can be expressed in the dog’s behavior. Among other things, it can be recognized by the fact that affected dogs become increasingly restless, and begin to tremble and squeak. The key here is to avoid the trigger.
6. Arthritis
The term arthritis comes from the Greek and means “joint inflammation”. Essentially, this disease progressively destroys the cartilage in the joints.
Although the risk increases with age, statistics show that 20% of all dogs over the age of one year suffer from arthritis. Typical symptoms are:
- Aversion to jumps
- Beeping when moving
- Licking and gnawing at the joints
- Groaning when getting up
- Unusual irritation
- Sudden limp
Affected dogs also often appear restless. This is usually because they cannot find a sleeping position that seems comfortable or they are always in pain.
The cause of arthritis is still unclear. However, being overweight is one of the biggest risk factors. In addition, large breeds are said to be affected most frequently.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for this yet. The pain can be treated well with the help of medication, dietary adjustments, and physiotherapy.
Dogs with arthritis are often in so much pain on a daily basis that they start whimpering or even become restless. Among other things, it can be recognized by the fact that the joints are swollen and the dog constantly gnaws, bites, and licks them.
7. Other Pain
In addition to poisoning, stomach pain, and arthritis, there are other potential triggers for the pain. The most common causes of this are:
- Growing pains
When young four-legged friends of large breeds grow too fast, pain often occurs. To be more precise, when the bones grow comparatively too quickly.
- Toothache
If, for example, a tooth has splintered or there are even splinters stuck in the gums, severe pain can occur. Whipping and restless behavior are common here.
- Ear infection
When bacteria or fungi build up in the ear, it can cause inflammation. Dogs with long floppy ears are particularly affected.
- Back pain
In the case of an existing herniated disc, pinched nerves, or other injuries, affected four-legged friends often become very sensitive to touch.
If you suspect any pain, I advise you to contact the vet immediately. Because dogs instinctively try to hide existing pain as best they can.
If dogs are struggling with the tooth, back, ear or even growing pains, then this is usually recognizable by their behavior. Typical symptoms here are that the dog becomes sensitive to touch, begins to squeak, and generally appears restless.