How to Calm Your Restless Dog at Night

Why is your dog panting and restless at night? How to calm a restless dog at night? Read on to learn everything you need to know here.

Every good dog owner wants the best for their furry friend. It can be downright painful to see them in distress, whether that comes from an injury or a simple restless night. If your dog is feeling restless at night, chances are that you are, too! 

If you’re reading this, you probably want to know how to calm a restless dog at night. Rest assured, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to find out how to calm a dog down at night.

Why Is My Dog Restless at Night?

There are a few common reasons a dog might experience restless nights. Some of these are completely out of your control, while others have simple fixes.

Age is one of the most common factors. As your dog ages, their hearing and vision start to deteriorate, and they may feel aches and pains in their joints. This may cause them to wake up more frequently, or experience trouble falling asleep.

A lack of proper exercise is perhaps an even more common issue, especially in young or large dogs. Dogs have a lot of energy, from the smallest chihuahua to the biggest Great Dane. If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise they’ll likely have trouble falling asleep at night, as that energy is just bursting at the seams.

Finally, some dogs experience anxiety just like people. Canine anxiety can come on from a big move, someone in the family moving away, or even new pets being added to the mix. They might even get dog separation anxiety at night if they can’t be with you!

So, there are a few reasons your dog might be feeling restless. Consider these reasons and determine what makes sense. Once you come to a reasonable deduction, it’s time to solve those restless nights.

How to Calm a Restless Dog at Night

You’ve got a number of options at your disposal for treating a restless dog. Here are a few of the best solutions.

Get Some Exercise

Getting your dog more exercise is the easiest and most enjoyable way to soothe their restless nights. Not only will this get rid of all that pent up energy, but it will also help fight off their anxiety. Your dog will love spending more time walking with you, getting all those fresh scents, and soaking in the sun.

The bigger the dog, the more exercise they’ll need. Getting your dog exercise is as easy as letting them run around in the backyard, playing a game of fetch, or bringing them for an extra walk or run at night. You could even go the extra step and sign your pooch up for an agility class!

Try CBD Oil

CBD oil may strike you as more of a “people” thing, but you’d be mistaken.

Dogs can benefit from CBD oil in many of the same ways people do. It can give them relief for their anxiety, reduce pain, inflammation, and even help them with seizures. What’s more, CBD is a great sleep aid, with those who use it claiming not only deeper sleep, but an easier time getting to sleep in the first place.

There are no real negatives to giving your dog CBD oil, and you can even get specifically made CBD oil for dogs for that extra precautionary step. Always follow the dosing guide on the label.

Calming Medication

Sometimes natural solutions just aren’t enough. If this is the case for your canine pal, it’s time for a visit to the vet.

The vet will be able to prescribe you an aid that will help your dog get the rest they need. This may be a form of sleeping pill, or a simple pain reliever if the restlessness is due to age. They may also prescribe your dog an anti-anxiety medicine if necessary.

Nobody wants to put their dog on medication, but sometimes there’s no other option. If exercise and CBD oil aren’t working, don’t hesitate to make that vet trip. Your well-rested dog will thank you for it in the long run.

Spend Time With Your Dog

Dog separation anxiety at night and in general is a thing, and it could be the issue.

This is especially true with cuddly or “clingy” dogs. If your dog tends to follow you around all the time and relies on you for every little thing, going to bed could cause them some stress. In this case, solving the issue may be as easy as spending a little extra time with your pooch.

Cuddle your dog, pet them, and give them love before bed. Your dog will feel much calmer in your presence, and will likely end up drifting to sleep. Then you just need to sneak off and go to bed yourself!

Let the Dog Outside

Sometimes, a dog just needs to use the bathroom!

One of the first things you should try is letting the dog out to do its business. A well-trained dog won’t feel comfortable going in the house, so they’ll hold it in. Letting them relieve themselves will give them the release they need to finally get to sleep.

As dogs age, they may need to relieve themselves more frequently. This goes for young pups, too. If you have a young or old dog, try this simple solution to give them more restful nights.

Help Your Pooch Get the Sleep They Deserve

If you’ve ever wondered how to calm a restless dog at night, now you know. You may not find the solution after just one attempt but keep at it. Your dog deserves a good night’s sleep, and there’s always a way to achieve this.

For more informative articles on pets, check out the rest of our blog!