Why Do Dogs Run Away When They Are Dying?

Dogs often run away or hide, under a porch or bed, when they are seriously ill. You may interpret this behavior as though the dog simply knows it is his time to die, but this is not the case. Dogs seek shelter and solitude as a response to pain, and your dog's pain has a cause. The pain may be due to an injury, a congenital condition or a life-threatening illness.

  1. Hiding Pain

    • Many animals have a natural instinct to hide their pain. Wild animals do this to avoid showing any signs of weakness, which could alert rivals or potential predators to the presence of an easy target. Severe pain, however, may cause a limp or other behavior that the animal can't hide. A wild animal may simply remain in its burrow or den until the pain subsides, but domestic dogs must seek another option. A domestic dog suffering from extreme pain only has the option of hiding somewhere in the home, or fleeing, to avoid being seen in pain.

    Pain Avoidance

    • An otherwise friendly dog may snap at your hand when in pain.

      The instinct to hide or run away is tied to your dog's instinct to avoid pain. A dog in pain will often avoid your hand if you reach out to it, even if you are familiar, because its instincts tell it that you may aggravate its pain or take advantage of its condition. Handling your dog when it is sick or injured may also worsen its pain, but you may not notice it because it is trying to appear strong. If you continually handle or touch it while it is in pain, it may leave or hide to deprive you of future opportunities to do so.

    Denning

    • A domesticated dog satisfies the denning instinct in her dog house.

      Dogs instinctively den themselves for comfort and safety. When a healthy dog digs holes or lies down close to cover, this is due to the denning instinct, and a dog in pain will often seek the shelter of its den. If it has a kennel, this is where it is likely to go. If not, it may seek a small, secluded space in which it feels less vulnerable. If it finds no suitable space in or around his home, a dog might wander away to seek one elsewhere.

    Responding to Your Dog

    • Your vet may be able to identify and treat the cause.

      Dogs do not run away to die. A dog runs away as a reaction to pain and, if that pain goes undiagnosed and untreated, the dog may be in danger. If your dog runs away for no apparent reason, or if she shows any symptoms of pain avoidance or unusual denning habits, bring it to your vet right away. Prompt medical attention may be all that stands between your dog and a fast, healthy recovery, but without help your dog may be left permanently disabled or dead.