🌙 Nighttime Waking in Senior Dogs: Vet Solutions for Better Sleep in 2025 🐾

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

If your senior dog is keeping you up at night, you’re not alone. Nighttime waking is a common concern in aging pets, and it can be caused by a variety of medical, emotional, and cognitive changes. In this 2025 guide, we’ll explore why older dogs wake during the night and how you can support their comfort and well-being for better rest—for both of you. 🐶🛏️

🧠 What Causes Nighttime Waking in Senior Dogs?

1. Cognitive Dysfunction (Doggy Dementia)

Similar to Alzheimer’s in humans, canine cognitive dysfunction affects memory, learning, and sleep-wake cycles. Signs include:

• 🌙 Reversal of day/night routines
• 😕 Confusion in new environments
• 🚶 Pacing or aimless wandering

2. Pain or Discomfort

Older dogs may experience:

• 🦴 Arthritis or joint pain
• 💤 Restlessness or panting at night
• 🛌 Difficulty getting comfortable or rising

3. Increased Urge to Eliminate

Senior dogs are more prone to:

• 🚽 Incontinence
• 🧪 Urinary tract infections
• 🩺 Kidney disease or Cushing’s syndrome

4. Anxiety or Fear

Common triggers include:

• 🌩️ Weather-related noise
• 🏠 Household sounds at night
• 😨 Generalized anxiety or separation stress

5. Seizures

Seizures can occur overnight without being witnessed. You may only notice the aftermath—confusion or disorientation. ⚡

🔍 What to Watch For

• 🐾 Difficulty settling down at night
• 🌃 Waking after a few hours of sleep
• 🌄 Early morning restlessness

Understanding the timing and behavior patterns can help identify root causes and guide treatment. 🕵️‍♂️

🩺 First Steps: Rule Out Medical Causes

Work with your veterinarian to evaluate for:

• 🧪 Blood work and urinalysis
• 🧬 Imaging if needed
• 🦷 Dental pain, GI upset, or neurological signs

Treating underlying illness often leads to improved sleep. 🩺💡

🧘 Creating a Calming Night Routine

• 🚶 Offer a late-night potty trip
• 🛏️ Use orthopedic bedding for joint comfort
• 🎶 Try calming music or a white noise machine
• 🔅 Use a nightlight for vision-impaired dogs
• 💤 Massage or light touch before bed can relax anxious pets

💊 Nutritional and Natural Supports

🧠 Brain Health Supplements

• 🧬 SAMe (S-adenosyl-l-methionine)
• 🍇 Grape seed extract (resveratrol)
• 🌿 Ginkgo biloba, phosphatidylserine

🥗 Specialized Senior Diets

• 🍽️ Rich in antioxidants and MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides)
• 📈 Shown to support cognitive function in senior dogs

🧴 Calming Pheromones

Products like Adaptil® diffusers or collars help create a peaceful space and reduce nighttime anxiety. 🧘‍♀️

💊 When Medications Help

Ask your vet about medications to:

• 😴 Promote restful sleep
• 🧠 Support cognitive function
• 😟 Reduce anxiety or pacing behaviors

Some medications improve nighttime rest by making your dog feel more comfortable and less anxious overall. 💊🧠

📌 Do’s and Don’ts

• ✅ Be patient and calm—no scolding or punishment
• ✅ Allow your dog to sleep near you if they feel safer
• ❌ Don’t ignore changes—track patterns and discuss with your vet

📝 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Nighttime waking in senior dogs can be distressing, but it's rarely without cause. By addressing medical, emotional, and cognitive needs, you can help your dog rest easier—and improve your own sleep, too. Compassion, structure, and gentle interventions go a long way toward better nights for all. 🐶🛌🌙

Need help managing your dog’s sleep or senior care routine? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app 📱 for expert guidance on nighttime routines, medication support, and cognitive care. 🧠🐾