Is Your Dog Restless at Night? Here’s What’s Going On

Is your dog restless at night? Aging, anxiety and lack of exercise are some of the common causes. Here’s some help in getting him to rest (so you can, too). 

Bigger space might be the reason why your dog is sleeping in bed with you. Photography ©grki | Getty Images.
Bigger space might be the reason why your dog is sleeping in bed with you. Photography ©grki | Getty Images.
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After a long day at work, you look forward to a restful night of sleep (with or without your dogs in the bed!). But your dog may have different ideas. Is your dog restless at night? While sleepless nights can be common for new puppies or even some younger dogs, the restlessness will usually die down once the dog matures.

However, if you notice that your dog is no longer sleeping through the night, is constantly changing positions, or pacing around the room or throughout the house, there may be a more serious underlying issue that needs to be addressed. A dog who’s restless at night may signify different age or behavior issues that require some gentle intervention.

A dog and a woman sleeping on a bed.
What’s going on if your dog is restless at night? Photography ©hedgehog94 | Getty Images.

Is Your Dog Restless at Night? Dog Restlessness and Activity During the Day

If you don’t provide your dog with the daily exercise he requires, it could result in behavioral issues. Simply put, puppies and dogs need to move and expend their energy. They need to play and run to burn off energy — plus it’s a perfect way to work on your bond, including the practice of some important training cues.

It could be as easy as a walk or a game of fetch. If you have an older, calm dog, he may simply need a short stroll down the block to burn some energy. If you have a young and/or excitable dog, you may need a daily play session in the backyard to adequately tire him out. Remember: A tired dog is a happy dog!

“Because exercise decreases anxiety overall, lack of exercise can contribute to anxiety-based conditions. More specifically, lack of exercise and mental stimulation can lead to attention-seeking and destructive behaviors,” says Stephanie-Borns-Weil, DVM, DACVB, head of the behavior clinic at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. “Ideally, a young, healthy dog should have a minimum of 20-30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise. Some ways to get your dog’s heart rate elevated include long walks, running, fly ball, games of Frisbee or fetch, and swimming. Swimming is especially great for older dogs as it is not as demanding and puts less stress on their joints than other kinds of aerobic exercise.”

Suffering from interrupted sleep yourself? Here are some natural restless leg syndrome treatments >>

Anxiety Can Cause Dogs to Get Restless at Night

Is your dog restless at night even though he’s getting enough exercise during the day? While activity can definitely help, canine anxiety can have many causes and may be subtle enough that some dog owners won’t necessarily notice. This can affect a dog’s sleep schedule and result in a dog who’s restless at night.

Talk to your dog’s veterinarian if medication is warranted, or even an appointment with a board-certified animal behaviorist. Also, there are calming supplements on the market that can be beneficial, but be sure to check with your vet first before you purchase anything to be sure if it’s safe and appropriate for your particular pet. 

Aging and Dogs Who Are Restless at Night

Still looking to find out why your dog is restless at night? As dogs get older, they can easily become restless at night — and the reason why is pretty common. Age typically brings on joint and muscle pain, which can make sleeping more difficult due to discomfort. The onset of dementia can also cause sleep disturbances in dogs. It is important to try and help the quality of life for a senior dog. Again, a consultation with your veterinarian is helpful in a case like this.

For an older dog with typical aches and pains, you might want to consider providing an orthopedic dog bed (younger animals may benefit from this, as well).

Plus, is your dog’s issue that he wakes up way too early? Here’s how to cope >>

Thumbnail: Photography ©grki | Getty Images.

Read more about dog behavior on Dogster.com:

6 thoughts on “Is Your Dog Restless at Night? Here’s What’s Going On”

  1. Keep in mind that one cause at this time of year is the switch to daylight saving time. My dog woke me up for several days running. Nothing wrong with the dog's reasoning at all, they're even considering legislation to keep on one time all year long!

  2. My fevered pet is a dog, but I don’t want to spend money for a cute dog, where can I borrow a cute dog for a day? any website? (Also if anyone is in the mood of a boy friend – I’m looking for a cute girl…) if anyone knows please email me to gf8456595535@gmail.com
    Thanks!!!

  3. My Lacey will be 7 in February the last 3 weeks she is awake most of the night then sleeps during the day , nothing new or changed in my apartment , she eats, plays, goes outside in the snow for a walk , would love to find out what is wrong, went to the vet recently nothing wrong very good health. I’m baffled.

    1. I had the same thing with my dog. Went on for 3 months. Finally took her to the vet. Turns out she had a couple of rotten teeth that were giving her so much pain. Had it sorted, and she woke a different dog. Sleeps like a baby again.

  4. Pingback: Dog Anxiety After Moving – Dog Anxiety Symptoms

  5. Pingback: Dog Anxiety Bed – Dog Anxiety Symptoms

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