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Started By
Message
Dog having trouble sleeping at night
Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:39 pm
Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:39 pm
My dog is 14 years old. Adopted him as a baby, right after Katrina, when both of us were in tough spots.
Over the last few months he has slowed down. A couple of months ago, he stared being unable to sleep through the night. He wakes up 1-2 times per night to go outside to use bathroom. This despite us letting him out 2-3 times before bedtime.
About a month ago, he also started waking up in the middle of the night freaking out and barking. He does this 2-3 times per night (in addition to the times he needs to go out to pee). When I try to let him out, he doesn't want to go. If I sit with him for 20-30 min, eventually he falls back asleep, and I can go back to bed. But if he's not fully asleep, he will sense me leaving, wake up and freak out again.
We have brought him to the vet a couple of times recently. Physically he is fine, but the vet thinks he is starting to show some cases of canine memory loss (her words) where basically he wakes up in the middle of the night, doesn't know where he is, and howls out until he sees a familiar face (me). She says it will get worse. She recommended that we give him melatonin to help him sleep through the night, but I'm not enthused with drugging my dog to sleep. Especially since I know his bladder can't make it through the night.
I know at his age we are on the downside of our time together, but this being woke up 3-4 times a night is affecting me.
Anyone been through this? Any suggestions on how to handle?
Over the last few months he has slowed down. A couple of months ago, he stared being unable to sleep through the night. He wakes up 1-2 times per night to go outside to use bathroom. This despite us letting him out 2-3 times before bedtime.
About a month ago, he also started waking up in the middle of the night freaking out and barking. He does this 2-3 times per night (in addition to the times he needs to go out to pee). When I try to let him out, he doesn't want to go. If I sit with him for 20-30 min, eventually he falls back asleep, and I can go back to bed. But if he's not fully asleep, he will sense me leaving, wake up and freak out again.
We have brought him to the vet a couple of times recently. Physically he is fine, but the vet thinks he is starting to show some cases of canine memory loss (her words) where basically he wakes up in the middle of the night, doesn't know where he is, and howls out until he sees a familiar face (me). She says it will get worse. She recommended that we give him melatonin to help him sleep through the night, but I'm not enthused with drugging my dog to sleep. Especially since I know his bladder can't make it through the night.
I know at his age we are on the downside of our time together, but this being woke up 3-4 times a night is affecting me.
Anyone been through this? Any suggestions on how to handle?
19
Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:40 pm to LSUFanHouston
hes dying
Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:40 pm to LSUFanHouston
Does he sleep in your room?
Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:41 pm to LSUFanHouston
Alternate nights. It will save your marriage.
Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:41 pm to LSUJML
quote:
Does he sleep in your room?
No he sleeps in the front room. Usually on out ottoman.
Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:42 pm to LSUFanHouston
quote:
She recommended that we give him melatonin to help him sleep through the night, but I'm not enthused with drugging my dog to sleep
its not going to drug him. also keep a light on where he sleeps.
Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:42 pm to djangochained
quote:
hes dying
Yes I am aware of that. Trying to find a way to help him be more comfortable at night, and also, help me get more than 2 hours of sleep at a time.
Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:43 pm to LSUFanHouston
quote:
Anyone been through this? Any suggestions on how to handle?
I'd start by at least, for a few nights, doing what your vet suggests.
Giving him melatonin isn't "drugging him"
This post was edited on 12/9/19 at 3:44 pm
Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:43 pm to LSUFanHouston
quote:
melatonin to help him sleep through the night, but I'm not enthused with drugging my dog to sleep.
Is naturally in our bodies, you could try feeding him almonds. Almonds are loaded with melatonin.
Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:43 pm to LSUFanHouston
He's probably stressed thinking of how he's gonna pay the Christmas bills and how his wife just keeps swiping the credit card like money grows on fricking trees.
Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:43 pm to NYCAuburn
quote:
also keep a light on where he sleeps.
I'll try that. We keep the kitchen light on but it still gets pretty dark in the front room where he sleeps. Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:55 pm to TigerintheNO
[quote]Is naturally in our bodies, you could try feeding him almonds. Almonds are loaded with melatonin.[/quote}
Do not give almonds to dogs lol
Do not give almonds to dogs lol
This post was edited on 12/9/19 at 3:57 pm
Posted on 12/9/19 at 3:58 pm to LSUFanHouston
You may also find your pup getting very agitated in the evening “sundowners”. I had this with my elderly beagle and have seen it in other elderly dogs. It comes with dementia. People get it too, my mother suffered from dementia and had sundowners. My brothers dog had to be put on a sedative because of it.
Put your pups bed next to yours. I used to bend down and pet Belle during the night to soothe her. Good luck. They’re such a big part of our lives and need us at this time in their life.
Put your pups bed next to yours. I used to bend down and pet Belle during the night to soothe her. Good luck. They’re such a big part of our lives and need us at this time in their life.
Posted on 12/9/19 at 4:21 pm to LSUFanHouston
Similar symptoms with our 14 year old miniature dachshund as she went downhill.
They tried some kind of dog Dementia medicine and she crashed a few weeks later and we had to put her to sleep.
She would stand in the corner and bark and all kind of other strange behavior.
Enjoy the time you have left!
They tried some kind of dog Dementia medicine and she crashed a few weeks later and we had to put her to sleep.
She would stand in the corner and bark and all kind of other strange behavior.
Enjoy the time you have left!
Posted on 12/9/19 at 4:46 pm to LSUFanHouston
Have you tried something like an anxiety med or melatonin to help him relax and sleep?
Posted on 12/9/19 at 4:51 pm to LSUFanHouston
This is common for older dogs who have a sensory deprivation like deafness or blindness. They wake up and do not know where they or you are. This can be remedied by moving him into your bedroom to sleep and occasionally you need to just pat him so he knows where you are. I did this for an older dog who would pant so loudly it would wake us up so I would just put my hand on her and it would calm her down.
Also look into CBD dog treats.
Also look into CBD dog treats.
Posted on 12/9/19 at 5:05 pm to LSUFanHouston
Try giving him a blowjob. A good blowie always puts me right to sleep.
Posted on 12/9/19 at 5:23 pm to ninthward
quote:
common for older dogs who have a sensory deprivation like deafness or blindness.
We have a 9 year old who is blind. He wakes up in the middle of the night confused... will run into the wall from a dead sleep... and has drooling spells.
CBD has been the most helpful for us.
Posted on 12/9/19 at 5:35 pm to ninthward
quote:
This is common for older dogs who have a sensory deprivation like deafness or blindness.
I'm not sure he is "deaf" but his hearing has absolutely gotten worse over the last year or so (defined by his ability to listen to my taking to him and turn his head, respond, etc). So that's interesting to read.
quote:
This can be remedied by moving him into your bedroom to sleep and occasionally you need to just pat him so he knows where you are.
We are going to try this tonight.
quote:
Also look into CBD dog treats.
I didn't know this was a thing.
Posted on 12/9/19 at 5:41 pm to LSUFanHouston
quote:
Also look into CBD dog treats.
I didn't know this was a thing.
It is. My niece recently started using this for her dog that didn't deal well with thunder and said it worked.
Also, if you think you're dog is getting senile/dementia from being old, look up Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. While there is no cure, there are some medicines out there that help some dogs. LINK
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