Skip to main content
Home

A 16-Year-Old Dog Sleeping All Day and Wandering at Night

by A reader

Reader Question
Our dog is 16 1/2 yrs old. Along with the decrease in sight and hearing and appetite her sleep cycle has changed. She now sleeps most of the day and wanders at night which keeps us awake until she falls asleep, finally. She tends to soil the floors so we have put down plastic covers and pee pads. Is there anything we can do for her so that all of us can get some sleep?


Answer from Our Team

Sleeping all day and wandering at night is one of the most common signs of canine cognitive dysfunction, the dog version of dementia, which often comes with vision and hearing loss and house soiling in very old dogs. Pain, needing to pee more often, and other medical problems can also disrupt sleep, so a vet check is the first step.

Things that help many dogs: more daytime activity and short walks, a fixed routine, a night-light, a comfy bed near you, and a last potty trip just before bed. Ask your vet about medicines for cognitive dysfunction, diets with antioxidants and medium-chain fatty acids, supplements, and medicines that help with sleep, as well as pain relief if needed.

Being kept up at night is really hard. If her quality of life or yours is suffering, it's OK to talk honestly with your vet about it.

See dog dementia.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to General Invitation.