Why has my senior dog’s sleeping pattern changed?

September 22nd 2022

You might have noticed that your senior dog is sleeping more – this is perfectly normal. However, if you notice they are sleeping through the day, but barking or pacing at night this could indicate something more than just aging.

For example, 20% of dogs with cognitive dysfunction (akin to dementia in humans) show changes in their sleep/wake cycle. However, there are medications, supplements and environmental/home changes you can make that can help manage symptoms. Please contact your vet who will be able to give your dog a full check up and recommend the best course of action.

Another reason your dog may not sleep well is chronic pain. In older dogs this is likely to be due to conditions such as osteoarthritis, which affects 80% of dogs over 8 years old. Dogs do not always display pain by limping or yelping, signs can be much more subtle and include things like struggling or refusing to get on the sofa, stopping and sitting on walks, playing less, stiffness or appearing ‘grumpy’. Studies show that dogs with arthritis spend less time resting at night than healthy dogs, but that this improves once they are treated with pain relief.

If your senior pet is on medication, you can also help them sleep by providing supportive memory foam beds, large enough for them to stretch out on (opposed to the hard plastic round beds). For larger breeds, the Big Barker* dog bed has been clinically proven to improve dogs’ sleep quality.

In addition, try to place beds out of drafts and away from noisy areas of the household. Crate trained dogs may like the safety of their crate den, especially if you can cover it to keep light out.

If your dog is struggling to settle at night it can be easy to brush it off as just old age, but aging isn’t a disease and improvements to your dog’s well-being can often be made. Speak to your vet who can diagnose the underlying cause and recommend suitable treatment.

Photo of sleeping Cavalier by Samuel Foster on Unsplash

Photo of dog in blankets by Sdf Rahbar on Unsplash

*this is not endorsed or linked to Vet’s Kitchen in any way