Sleepless nights are inevitable for parents of young children, but what about parents of dogs? Many dog owners discover the hard way that, like babies, dogs don’t always respect their desired sleep schedule. You care about them, but that doesn’t mean you enjoy having to deal with their crying and misbehavior when you wake up throughout the night.
Puppies don’t sleep through the night because they are still learning how to use the bathroom, but adult and senior dogs also frequently experience this issue. Everyone in the home will benefit from finding a solution to your dog’s sleep schedule because being forced out of bed while still exhausted is not conducive to happiness. Determine the root of your dog’s insomnia before putting together a plan.
Let Your Dog Out Right Before Bedtime
It’s simple to fall into a routine where you believe you’re giving your dog a bathroom break just before you go to bed, but instead, you’re taking a shower, brushing your teeth, and possibly watching some late-night TV. As a result, your dog’s last bathroom break will actually be more of a “mid-evening” potty break than a “bedtime” potty break.
Make sure you let your dog out right before bed and make sure it’s the last thing he does, says Ilana Krieger of PhD Pups Dog Training.
Consistency is the most important thing to help any animal learn a behavior, says Dr. Sunshine Riehl, co-owner of Advanced Veterinary Care of San Elijo in San Marcos, California.
“This becomes a pattern if you let them get up in the middle of the night,” If you have permitted it repeatedly, going out in the middle of the night is perfectly acceptable to them, Riehl says. They are not as capable of reasoning as we are. If they were permitted to leave at 2:00 in the morning m. After three consecutive nights, they conclude that the fourth and fifth nights are equally acceptable. ”.
Try to make your dog’s last nighttime bathroom break his last one, and wait to let him out again until you both wake up in the morning.
According to Krieger, your dog should stop drinking water two hours before bedtime. People are hesitant to do this, but any vet will assure you that your dog will be fine if you ask them. ”.
Judy Morgan, a holistic veterinarian at Clayton Veterinary Associates in Pilesgrove, New Jersey, agrees.
“Water can be picked up at 8 p.m. if the pet has no medical issues.” m. to limit drinking right before bed,” she says.
However, according to Riehl, dogs with underlying medical conditions like diabetes mellitus or heart disease should never have their access to water restricted. Additionally, a veterinarian should examine your dog if they are drinking a lot of water. Riehl continues, “It’s possible they ought to have blood work done to screen for diseases that may be causing increased water intake.”
Promote Relaxation to Help Make a Dog Sleep
What if you are all worked up because of some dramatic event, can you sleep when your mind is racing?
Make sure your dog is calm, relaxed, not stressed, and anxious-free if you want him to fall asleep. You need to ease him into bedtime.
Have some quiet time about 30 minutes before going to bed after you’ve expended all of the dog’s excess energy.
Before going to bed, you can unwind, cuddle, or simply lounge around. This will give Fido some time to unwind before having to retire for the evening.
Reasons Your Dog Might Not Be Sleeping
Understanding the underlying causes of the problems your dog is experiencing will help you choose the best course of action for getting your dog to sleep through the night.
One of the other signs that your dog has a health issue that is causing them pain is an inability to sleep. Sleeplessness may also be a symptom of diseases such as dementia, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, or a urethral infection.
It’s best to get in touch with your veterinarian if you think your dog might have one of these health problems and inform them of any additional unusual behaviors or symptoms so they can determine what’s wrong.
FAQ
What do you do when your dog won’t sleep at night?
A walk around the neighborhood is an easy way to get your furry friend moving during the day so that when night falls, they’re not only ready for bed but eager for it. Another great choice is to take the dog to the dog park, where it can go potty.
What is a natural sedative for a dog?
Veterinary doctors frequently suggest L-theanine and L-tryptophan supplements to treat mild to moderate anxiety, according to Dr Coates. Zylkene, a milk protein derivative, can help to naturally calm your pet. Senior dogs with new, age-related anxiety can benefit from its frequent and effective use.
How can I help my dog go to sleep?
Dogs Can Be Calmed by Chew Toys Before bed, giving your pet a variety of chew toys or a licking toy covered in peanut butter may help calm and relax him. Even the pickiest dogs should be able to enjoy licking toys because not all dogs enjoy chewing, especially before going to bed at night.
Is there a natural sleep aid for dogs?
According to Natural Dog Health Remedies, chamomile, passionflower, and valerian have calming properties that are useful for treating canine insomnia. Depending on the size of your dog, mix equal parts of valerian and passionflower (or chamomile) and administer 4 to 8 drops of the herbal concoction to him.