Dog Crying At Night Spiritual Meaning: Bad News?

If you have a dog, you may have noticed that sometimes your dog starts crying in the middle of the night. It can be distressing for both you and your pet, especially if you don’t know why they are doing it.

Dogs are very sensitive animals that can pick up on the energies from their surroundings. They can sense when something is wrong, or something bad will happen. Sometimes, dogs cry at night because they are trying to alert us to something we may not know.

Spiritual Meaning of A Dog Crying at Night

In the quiet hours of the night, a haunting sound pierces the silence when you hear a dog’s sudden whimpering or crying. Many pet owners have experienced this mysterious phenomenon, often leaving them puzzled and concerned. This raised concern creates questions like, ‘Is my dog okay?’, ‘Why is it crying?’, ‘Is my dog in pain?’ and many more. But don’t panic! We’ve got you covered!

Here are a few possible meanings of a dog crying at night;

#1. Seeing ghosts

One possible reason why dogs cry at night is that they are seeing or hearing spirits that are invisible to us.

Dogs have a higher frequency of hearing and vision than humans, allowing them to detect things beyond our range. They may cry because they are scared, confused, or curious about the spirits visiting them.

They may also be trying to warn us that a spirit nearby has a negative or harmful intention and could do horrible things to us.

#2. Trying to contact human

Dogs are strongly connected to their owners and often act as messengers or mediators between us and the other realms.

They may be crying because they are trying to get our attention to deliver the message. They may also be crying because they are expressing their gratitude, love, or joy for the message that they have received.

#3. The Emotional Connection

Dogs are known for their strong affection for their human companions. Their acute sensitivity to human emotions often leads them to mirror the emotional state of their owners.

When a dog cries at night, it might indicate an unease in the household. It could be seen as the dog acting as a channel for stress or negative energies within the home.

#4. Guardians

In various cultures, some believe that dogs possess the ability to detect the presence of supernatural beings that are invisible to humans.

Other spiritual interpretations suggest that the canine is trying to alert its owners to the presence of these entities within the vicinity. They try to guard you from any physical harm those creatures can cause by crying or making any weird sound that attracts your attention.

#5. Spiritual Imbalance

According to certain spiritual beliefs, the world comprises seen and unseen forces. Being highly attuned to energies, dogs may react to spiritual imbalances in their surroundings. Sometimes, negative energies can exceed the limit, thus shaking its balanced state.

A dog crying at night could be interpreted as a response to disturbances in the spiritual equilibrium of the home. That may prompt owners to explore spiritual cleansing or rituals to restore harmony within the living space.

#6. Grieving

Dogs may cry at night for various reasons, such as loneliness, pain, fear, or boredom. However, if a dog is crying at night, it may indicate that the dog is feeling the loss of a loved one.

Some people may interpret this as a sign that the dog is communicating with the departed soul or receiving a message from them, or the dog needs comfort and support during this difficult time.

#7. Physical pain or discomfort

Dogs may cry if injured, sick, hungry, thirsty, cold, hot, or need to go outside. They may also cry if they fear something, such as thunderstorms, fireworks, strangers, or other animals.

If your dog cries at night, you should check on them to ensure they are comfortable and meet their basic needs. You should also consult a veterinarian if you suspect your dog has a health problem or if your dog shows signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or phobias.

#8. Warning

Dogs have a sixth sense that allows them to perceive subtle environmental changes, such as electromagnetic fields, air pressure, temperature, or sound waves. These changes may indicate an upcoming storm, earthquake, or natural disaster.

Some people believe that dogs can see and hear the spirits of the deceased, angels, guides, or other entities beyond our physical realm. You should always listen to your dog and respect their instincts.

Biblical Meaning of Dog Crying at Night

Dogs are often seen as loyal and faithful companions, but they can also have both positive and negative meanings in a biblical context.

1- A metaphor for the enemy:

The Bible mentions dogs several times, but not always in a positive way. Dogs are often used as a metaphor for wickedness, impurity, or enemies of God’s people.

In Psalm 22:16, David says, “Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me.”

In Philippians 3:2, Paul warns the believers, “Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil.”

In Revelation 22:15, John says, “Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”

They are sometimes shown as loyal and protective animals, especially towards their masters.

2- Metaphor for loyalty:

In 2 Kings 8:13, Hazael asks Elisha what he has done to make him weep, and Elisha replies that he knows that Hazael will do evil to Israel. In response, Hazael is shocked and says he is only a dog incapable of such cruelty.

3- Metaphor for persistence:

In Matthew 15:21-28, Jesus encounters a Canaanite woman who begs him to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Jesus initially refuses to help her, saying, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.”

The woman replies, “even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table”. Jesus is impressed by her faith and grants her request. In this case, a dog spiritually implies persistence and trust.

Does A Crying Dog Bring Bad News?

Many people believe that a dog’s cry is a sign of impending doom or misfortune. But is there any truth to this superstition?

A dog’s cry is not necessarily a bad omen but rather a reflection of their feelings and needs. Some people believe that dogs can predict death and cry out at night to warn us about calamity.

The meaning behind their cry depends on several factors, such as the timing, the frequency, the intensity, and the direction. Some possible meanings are:

A dog’s cry at midnight may indicate feeling lonely or scared or trying to ward off evil spirits that roam in the dark.
A dog’s cry at dawn may signify that they are greeting the new day and expressing gratitude for the gift of life.
A dog’s cry during a full moon may suggest that the lunar energy influences them and are experiencing heightened emotions or intuition.
A dog’s cry before someone’s death may imply that they are sensing the soul’s departure and offering comfort or farewell.
A dog’s cry after someone’s death may indicate that they are mourning the loss and are seeking solace or closure.
A dog’s cry towards the east may represent that they are facing the rising sun’s direction and seeking guidance.
A dog’s cry towards the west may symbolize that they are facing the setting sun’s direction and preparing for rest or transition.

The best way is to observe their behavior and body language and listen to your intuition. Remember that dogs are our spiritual teachers who can help us learn more about ourselves and the world.

Spiritual Meaning of Dogs Howling

Here are a few possible meanings behind a dog’s howl;

Death warning:

The Egyptians revered dogs as sacred animals linked to Anubis, the God of the dead. The howling of dogs was seen as a communication between the living and the dead, indicating that a soul was about to depart.

In Greek mythology, the howling of Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guarded the entrance to the underworld, was believed to be a dire warning of death.

In Celtic folklore, dogs were also connected to death and the underworld, and their howls were considered a sign of disaster.

Communication with Spirits:

Some cultures, such as Native American tribes, regarded dogs as sacred animals that could act as mediators between humans and spirits.

They believed that dogs could see and hear things that humans could not and that their howls were seen as a call for protection or assistance from benevolent spirits.

Expressing Emotions:

A third possible meaning is joy, excitement, loneliness, anxiety, sadness, pain, or fear.

A dog may howl when;

Happy to see its owner.
Playing with other dogs.
Bored or lonely and wants attention or company.
Anxious or stressed and needs reassurance or comfort.
Sad or grieving and wants sympathy or support.
Pain or discomfort and wants help or relief.
Scared or threatened and wants protection or assistance.

What to Do if A Dog is Crying at Night?

If your dog is crying at night, there are some things that you can do to help them and yourself.

Step 1: Calm your dog by speaking softly, petting them gently, or treating them. Listen to what they try to tell you by paying attention to their body language, eye contact, and vocalizations. Pick up on some clues or hints that they’re giving you.

Step 2: Ask for guidance, protection, and clarity from your ancestors, guides, or angels.

Step 3: Cleanse your home using sage, stones, salt, crystals, candles, incense, or other tools that resonate with you to purify your space and create a positive and peaceful environment.

Identify the possible causes of the dog’s crying at night, such as hunger, thirst, pain, loneliness, boredom, anxiety, or fear.

Check for physical issues:

If your dog is suffering from any physical issue, then do this instead;

Address the dog’s physical needs by providing food, water, comfort, toys, and attention.
Create a calm bedtime routine for the dog, such as taking it out for a walk, playing with it, and saying goodnight.
Avoid reinforcing the dog’s crying behavior to meet its demands by ignoring the crying or using a firm command to stop it.
Consider using a crate or a separate room to train the pet to sleep independently and feel secure.
Consult a veterinarian or a professional trainer if the dog’s crying persists or worsens, as it may indicate a medical or behavioral problem that requires treatment.

Superstitions About a Dog Crying

Many people believe that a dog crying is a sign of something bad happening or about to happen. Some of these superstitions are:

Dog crying near a sick person means they will not recover.
A dog crying while looking at the sky means a storm is coming.
Dog crying while digging a hole prepares a grave for themselves or their owner.
A dog crying while scratching a door or a wall means a ghost or a spirit is behind it.

These superstitions are not based on any scientific evidence or logic.

FAQs

Why do street dogs start barking at night?

Street dogs bark at night to show dominance or to mark their territory. They might alert each other about something they see or hear, like a person or dangerous animal. They also start barking when they feel scared in the night.

Is there any cultural significance behind the spiritual meaning of a dog crying at night?

Many cultures have different interpretations depending on details and context. Native Americans believed dogs to be their guardians. Chinese associated them with loyalty and fidelity. In Irish folklore, dogs are believed to have a sixth sense and can see fairies, ghosts, and banshees.

What is the religious interpretation of a dog crying at night?

Different religions have different opinions about dog’s sudden crying at night. In Hinduism, dogs are considered sacred and are linked with God Yama. In Christianity, dogs are seen as symbols of loyalty. Islam regards dogs as protectors that can ward off evil spirits or jinns. Buddhism links dogs’ crying at night with hunger or disease.

Conclusion

Dogs are more than just our loyal companions; they are also sensitive and intuitive creatures that can perceive the spiritual world. When a dog cries at night, it may have various spiritual meanings depending on the intricate details, such as grief, protection, healing, astral projection, danger, psychic sensitivity, or plea for attention. Therefore, we should pay attention to our dogs’ behavior and try to understand what they are trying to tell us through their acts.

Marta Rubinart

Integrative Researcher in the field of Psychology, Spirituality and Religion, Professor of Integral Psychology and Spiritual Counseling, Bilingual Psychotherapist.