Babara Bush
Most owners are familiar with the situation when the dog does not sleep at night. Most often, this problem occurs when a puppy appears in the house. However, an adult animal can suddenly lose sleep. There are many reasons for this: from a lost rhythm of life to serious diseases. What if the dog does not sleep at night by itself and interferes with your sleep?
In fact, dogs are renowned sleepers. On average, they need about 14-16 hours of proper sleep every day. This indicator varies slightly and depends on the breed of the pet and its individual characteristics. In addition, the quality of sleep also differs. For example, large dogs such as the Newfoundland and St. Bernard sleep soundly and for long periods of time, while active and service breeds such as the Husky, Jack Russell Terrier, or Border Collie prefer alternating short periods of sleep and wakefulness.
Insomnia causes
Most often, the rhythm of life of a domestic dog coincides with the rhythm of life of its owner. The animal is awake when a person is at home and sleeps at night and in his absence. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Like humans, dogs often fall asleep from boredom. Pets sleep much more than their street cousins: it’s just that they have much less entertainment in the apartment than on the street.
So why the dog doesn’t sleep:
The lost rhythm of life
The owner had to stay up late for several days and the dog was used to this daily routine. The return to normal sleep patterns in an animal may not always occur quickly.
Various diseases
There are many diseases, one of the symptoms of which is sleep disturbance – drowsiness or, conversely, insomnia.
Age
It is known that puppies, like children, sleep most of the day, and they too can get up several times a night. This usually goes away as the dog gets older.
The rhythm of life can also get lost in an elderly pet. Excessive sleep during the absence of the owner during the day can cause the dog to stop sleeping at night.
Emotional experiences
Insomnia, accompanied by barking, whining, and howling, can be associated not only with illness but also with emotional disorders. Sadness, longing, fear of loneliness – this is just a small part of the reasons for the destructive behavior of a dog.
How to deal with pet insomnia?
First of all, it is necessary to establish the true reason for the wakefulness of the pet. Any sudden change in your dog’s behavior should be cause for concern. If your pet gets tired, refuses to eat, or becomes nervous, call your veterinarian. Only a specialist can determine the causes of the disorder and prescribe the appropriate treatment. In no case should you diagnose the disease yourself? Self-medication can lead to serious consequences, lost time, and loss of the pet’s chance of recovery.
It is normal for a puppy to be awake at night. If your pet can’t sleep and tries to pique your interest (for example, it whines, barks, and scratches), ignore it. Play and affection on your part is a sign of encouraging this behavior.
Once you have praised your pet, be sure: the next night he will surely come again for his portion of love and attention.
The puppy should be accustomed to the regimen gradually, providing him with everything he needs for good sleep.
If the regimen is lost in an adult dog:
See a dog handler
If the dog’s insomnia is associated with psychological problems, consultation with a specialist – a zoopsychologist or dog handler is required. He will determine the exact cause of this violation and will help to cope with the problem.
Increase the time and intensity of your walk
Try to “exhaust” your dog with exercise and play during your evening walk. But do not do this right before bed: the pet needs time to calm down after a walk and feel tired.
Feed your pet
After an active walk before bedtime, the dog needs to be fed. Dinner will help her to relax, the animal will not wake up at night from hunger. At the same time, watch the portion size: too heavy a dinner can provoke digestive problems and, as a result, insomnia.
It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of why a dog does not sleep at night. There are many causes of sleep disturbance in a pet, and they all have their consequences. The most unpleasant and nervous situation for the owner is the situation when the animal barks, whines and even howls at night, especially if the family lives in an apartment building. During treatment, try to talk to your neighbors, explain the situation to them. Remember that you are responsible for your pet, and love and care are the best you can give him.