Like many other species of animals, dogs are polyphasic sleepers, meaning they sleep at multiple different intervals across the day. It is normal for a dog to sleep anywhere from ten to fourteen hours a day, depending on their home environment, diet, and lifestyle. Because their sleep intervals are not exactly in line with people’s, it means that they may be awake for a portion of the night while their owners are asleep. This might not be a problem for many owners, as their dogs can simply relax or spend time alone, but for many dog owners, their dogs have trouble making it through the night alone. Some dogs also have trouble sleeping for fixed periods of time because of poor diet, lack of exercise, or generalized anxiety.
King Kanine is here to help people whose dog is not sleeping at night. We can educate you as to how to help your dog sleepmore healthily, so you no longer have a restless dog at night. Keep reading for more information!
Why is my dog not sleeping at night?
Many dog owners come to us asking this question. Over time, they notice that their dogs are spending the night anxiously on their own, either trying to wake their people up so that they’re not alone or making a mess that is going to cause a headache when their family wakes up the next day. If you have a dog not sleeping through the night, it probably means that there are lifestyle changes that can be made ASAP.
First, be sure to ask yourself: does my dog have a sleeping routine? Keeping your sleeping routine consistent on a night to night basis is a great way for your dog to learn when he or she should start settling down as well. If you go to sleep one night at 8 pm and the next night at midnight and keep up this haphazard schedule for a long period of time, your dog is bound to be confused and will not abide by any ideal sleep schedule.
How to help your dog sleep
Keeping a solid sleep routine is not the only way to help your dog remain restful throughout the night. One major thing many dog owners forget is to maintain a consistent exercise schedule throughout the day. Most breeds need to run around for at least a half-hour every day, otherwise, they get stuck with pent up energy that can keep them up through the night. If you are too busy at work or other responsibilities, consider asking a friend or hiring a dog walker to come by and give your dog the exercise it needs. Anything less than a healthy exercise schedule is going to cause problems for your dog when it comes to sleep time.
