Dogs are often referred to as a man’s most loyal friend. They bring you joy in ways no one else can. But how do we take care of them? What to feed them? How to calm a restless dog at night? These are some very common questions that dog parents often have.
Well, there are multiple ways to help your dog overcome its restlessness. These include making it exercise, giving it a little treat, massaging its back, and giving it CBD.
Understanding how to calm your dog down is vital, especially at night. These simple methods can greatly improve your pet’s mental health.
Why Do Dogs Get Restless?
There can be multiple reasons why your dog might feel this emotion, especially at night.
Your dog may be feeling some sort of fear. It is very important for a pet to feel that he or she is in a safe environment and can go to sleep without any worries. This generally happens if your dog recently had a scary encounter.
Often, dogs are seen panting only to cool themselves down a bit. So, the temperature at which your pet is located also determines its restlessness. But this painting can sometimes signify something more serious than mere heat.
Another reason your dog might feel restless is boredom or uncomfortable aches.
Calming your dog down cannot always be easy. Are you not sure how to calm a restless dog at night? Don’t worry; we have you covered!
CBD for pets by Weedness offers high-quality CBD oils to enhance your pet’s well-being. Benefits include reduced stress, improved joint function, and overall health. Suitable for dogs and cats, these oils are easy to administer and can be mixed with food. Consult a vet for proper dosage.
There are other ways to tackle this issue; let’s discuss them:
Give a Treat
Treats are always a dog’s best friend. A bedtime snack is always a good option. These small chunks are what make them happy and wiggle their tail.
Your pet will look forward to a snack before bed every night. But don’t try to overcompensate with these treats. Make sure to give them a limit. Your pet should continue valuing those snacks.
Safe Sleeping Environment
Your dog might get anxious at night because it feels unsafe in bed. Your dog must have a fixed place to sleep every night, and a change of bed or room all the time can lead to anxiety for pets.
Be around your dog as they sleep; this makes them feel safe. It also affects their sleeping pattern, which has a direct impact on their restlessness.
Exercise
Being physically active and exercising is as important for dogs as it is for any other human. Your dog must be active during the day to drain their energy and be tired and lazy by the night.
Take them for regular walks, play with them, and make them play with their toys!
Be Around Your Pet
As pet parents, you must ensure your dog is not alone for too long at a stretch. This way, they end up feeling lonely and might develop separation anxiety.
When you are around them, they feel safe; they know that no harm can be caused. Be around them as they sleep at night. You can simply set their bed up in the same room as yours, making them feel comfortable and safe.
Massage
Do you love massages? Are they hug stress relievers for you? Well, dogs have more similarities to humans than you can imagine. They love getting massages as much as you do. Massages play a major role in helping them get over their restless emotions.
Even a ten-minute massage before bed can do wonders for them. Start with the neck and then find your way down.
Make sure to remember that ling strokes are their favorite!
Bathroom Before Bed
A dog might feel extremely anxious if it doesn’t go to the bathroom before bed. Hence, before it starts feeling like it has to go out, you should ensure it already does that before bed.
This helps them sleep faster and avoid bad dreams.
Same Routine
A regular change in your dog’s routine can be a huge reason for his or her restlessness. Try to keep the dog’s meal timing, bathroom time, and playtime the same every day. Regularly changing the dog’s schedule makes each day unpredictable.
Sticking to the same routine will help them get used to it and know what’s to come next. They should also know their sleep time in advance to avoid nighttime restlessness.
Medication
If none of these methods work well for your dog, you might want to consult a vet. Dogs can sometimes develop anxiety issues like humans, which might have to be treated medically.
Your vet might prescribe the pet a medication that has to be given every night before bed.
But, this is generally for older dogs or dogs with specially-abled dogs. Or, it could be because your dog is feeling some physical pain, for which, again, you might have to consult the vet and start your pet’s medication.
FAQs
Why is my dog restless at night all of a sudden?
There can be multiple reasons why your dog might be feeling restless at night. They could be scared of something, have had a bad dream, or be sick.
How do I get my dog to stop pacing at night?
The best way to do this is to have a similar routine for the dog every day. Get them used to it so they know what’s next. They should know when they are up for a walk or bedtime.
Why is my dog not comfortable at night?
The most common reasons why a dog might not feel comfortable at night are anxiety, restlessness, dementia, joint pain, etc.
What time should dogs go to bed?
There is no hard and fast rule about when a dog should go to bed. However, it has a similar day pattern, which is more important. Generally, pet owners get their dogs to sleep between 9 p.m. and midnight.
Conclusion
Dogs are as much living creatures as humans are. They face similar emotions as you do. It is very common for dogs to get restless during the night time. Hence, learning to calm a restless dog at night is vital for pet parents. It can be done easily by simply giving them extra time during the night.
However, they might only need medical aid to control their restless behavior under certain special circumstances. It is usually nothing to worry about, but it is always good to take precautions.
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