9 Signs Your Dog Is Lonely

You’ve left for the workday, and you feel like you’ve set your dog up with everything they need. Food, toys, a comfortable bed, and a safe place to be. But meeting your dog’s physical needs isn’t the same thing as meeting all their emotional ones. Companionship is a real need for dogs, too.

I’m not sure about you, but when my dog wants to get my attention, they will paw at me or nudge me with their nose. They are trying to tell me that they want me to pet them, rub their back, or do something to give them affection. Sometimes they’ll just pop right up into my lap and stick their face right in my face.

Other dogs trying to get your attention may bring you their favorite toy over and over again. You might notice that happening when you’ve been busy for a while. Maybe you’re watching TV or your favorite football game and you’re not paying attention to your dog, and they just bring you their favorite toy over and over again.

This may be them signaling to you that, frankly, they’re a little bit bored and need some engagement. They might want you to take them outside, take them on a walk, or do something together.

For me, I notice that when I haven’t given them enough attention for the day, the requests get a little bit more pronounced. Typically, one of the dogs will be more assertive with putting their paws on me, nudging me, or putting themselves right into my lap to say, “Hey, don’t ignore me. Make me the focal point of your afternoon.”

If your dog is lonely, you might also notice that they become a lot clingier than normal. They might follow you around more or constantly be at your feet as you walk from room to room, just wanting to spend time with you.

I have an English Mastiff who is almost ten. If I haven’t engaged with him enough personally, he will put himself right on top of my feet. He’s saying, “Hey, you need to pay attention to me.”

I can usually tell when he hasn’t had enough engagement because, for a lot of the day, he’s comfortable being by himself and doesn’t need to be on top of me. But if I haven’t given him enough attention, he will literally put himself right next to my feet.

It’s important to note that increases in clinginess can follow any type of routine change. If you’ve recently moved homes or had a change in your day-to-day routine that they’re not used to, that can cause a bit of anxiety.

That’s slightly different from simply wanting more company. If you haven’t changed their routine and you’re seeing them become clingier than normal, think about how much time you’ve spent engaging with them. It’s one possibility to consider, rather than the only explanation.

If you’ve noticed that your dog is whining, barking, or howling more than normal, it could be happening because they’re struggling with being alone. It can seem like they’re hoping the noise will bring you back to them.

If you have a dog that doesn’t do well in a crate, it’s not uncommon for them to bark, whine, or howl when they’re put into it. They may be uncomfortable with the confinement or with being away from you, rather than happily settling down.

Usually, owners notice this behavior through cameras. Or, owners notice it when the dog starts barking and whining once they’ve been put in a crate or another location away from them. In unlucky situations, it may be your neighbor telling you that your dog is making more noise than normal once you’ve left for the day.

If the noise is persistent or comes with pacing, panting, or attempts to escape, it’s worth getting help for possible separation-related distress rather than assuming they’re simply lonely.

If your dog has suddenly become destructive, it can be a sign that they need more activity or are struggling when left alone. This type of destruction is different from ordinary chewing, especially when it becomes a pattern during your absence.

We have a dog that, when left alone for more than an hour or two, tends to get very destructive. She’s chewed through toys, tables, window trim, and even drywall. That tells us she’s having a difficult time being left alone, rather than deliberately trying to get our attention by destroying things.

If this happens when you leave your home or when your dog is left alone, but doesn’t happen at other times, it’s a good reason to look into how they’re coping with your absence.

If you’re running into this problem, playing with your dog or taking them for a walk before you leave can help meet their activity needs. But exercise alone may not resolve distress about being left. Repeated destruction, particularly around doors or windows, is worth discussing with your veterinarian or a qualified behavior professional.

If your dog is walking around the house, looking for you, and pacing, they may be seeking company. You might notice that they’re trying to find you or seeking out people rather than lying in their favorite spot.

They may move between a few of the same places in the house, like walking from the door to the window. They may do this while you are at home or away. It can come across as persistent restlessness as they move around the house.

If pacing is a new behavior, it could also have physical causes. So, make sure to rule those out with your veterinarian before assuming it’s loneliness.

Has your dog lost interest in their favorite toy or stopped enjoying their daily walks? Maybe they’ve stopped bringing you their favorite ball to go outside and play fetch?

Similar to humans, dogs may start losing interest in the things they love when their social needs aren’t being met. You might notice them being less enthusiastic overall, like they just seem to be enjoying life a bit less. Some dogs withdraw socially instead of asking for more company.

That said, if you notice your dog losing interest in the things they used to love, it’s important to rule out potential health-related causes. Whether the change happens quickly or develops over time, it’s a good idea to visit your veterinarian.

Loneliness may be a factor. But, it’s not the only thing that can cause your pup to lose interest in the things they normally love.

Have you started noticing your dog is resting more frequently? A change in sleeping patterns doesn’t automatically mean your dog is lonely. Especially as dogs age, it’s common for them to sleep a little bit more.

But if there’s a change in their normal sleeping habits after they start spending longer periods alone, their routine and how they’re coping with it may be playing a part.

You might notice this when a dog’s favorite person travels, and the dog just can’t seem to get settled. Like humans, dogs can have changes in how they rest when their usual company and routine are different.

As with other signs on this list, a change in sleeping patterns can also signal a change in your dog’s health. So, plan a visit to your veterinarian if the change persists. Especially if you notice other signs of them feeling unwell.

Have your dog’s eating habits changed? Perhaps it seems like they’ve gone on a hunger strike after their favorite human has left on a business trip?

Changes in routine can be a factor when it comes to how your dog is eating. Major schedule changes or changes in social interaction can take a toll on their appetite. When dogs get stressed, they may stop eating like they normally do.

If your dog’s loss of appetite or change in eating habits has come during a period without much social interaction, that change in company could be contributing.

But appetite changes aren’t a reliable loneliness test. Eating less can be caused by a lot of factors. So, it’s important to rule out more serious problems with your veterinarian.

Dogs that lick or chew on their paws excessively may sometimes do so when they aren’t getting enough stimulation or are feeling stressed. You might notice your dog spending long periods licking or nibbling on a paw while otherwise unoccupied.

We had a dog named Freyja. She would chew on her paw to the point where she’d get sores. It was important that when her favorite human left, someone else was around her as much as possible to help keep her calm and give her more company.

This type of behavior is different from ordinary licking and grooming, and you’ll notice it because it becomes excessive.

Allergies, itching, a skin infection, or pain can also cause this behavior, so don’t assume it’s just a lack of company. If you have concerns, especially if there are sores or irritated skin, this is another area where it’s important to have your vet’s advice.

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