Why does my dog wake up in the middle of the night

Why Does My Dog Wake Up In The Middle Of The Night?

Imagine Your Dog wake up in the middle of the night? How do you feel when you are in a deep and beautiful sleep and suddenly your dog wakes up?

I know it’s a bit disturbing but you must know the reasons behind this. And what can you do about it?

In this article, we will see the most common reasons for dogs waking up in the middle of the night.

There are different possibilities for this cause. However, you must understand your dog’s feelings and help him solve the issue.

7 Reasons why dogs Wake you at night explained!

Sleep disorder

Every dog loves to sleep. According to PetMD, dogs spend 80% of their day sleeping or lying down.

So, if your dog wakes up at night then he might have a sleep disorder.

The common sleep disorders include –

  • Sleep apnea – Difficulty in breathing resulting in sudden jolting of the body
  • Insomnia – Difficulty in sleeping
  • REM behavior disorder – Kicking, growling, and howling while dreaming
  • Narcolepsy – Falling asleep and waking up easily

Frenetic random activity period

FRAP indicates the sudden bursts of high activity. This happens when your dog is excited. Usually, dogs have 23 wake-sleep episodes in 8 hours of the night.

During each time, your dogy may sleep for 16 minutes and then wake up for 5 minutes. This is natural for a canine.

But it is more common in hyperactive dogs. Therefore, if your dog is hyperactive then you must make him work out more during the daytime.

Strange noises and odor

Your dog can hear the noises of frequency 47,000 to 65,00 Hz while a human could hear up to 20 Hz. Therefore, it is easy for the dog to hear ultra-soft sounds.

Also, dogs can detect a rotten apple from 2 million casks. Isn’t it amazing?

So, if your doggo suddenly starts barking at night, he must have figured something from his nose and ears. He will try to investigate the source.

Anxiety in dogs

Dogs can have anxiety too. When your dog gets anxious, his body responds on behalf of him.

And we see him waking up in the middle of the night.

After getting serious, this anxiety can result in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Its symptoms include –

  • Clingy behavior
  • Depression
  • Increased irritability
  • Being hyperalert

Dog Snuggles

If your doggo is a ‘cuddler’ then he will wake up in the middle of the night to check for you.

Some of the breeds that are clingier are –

  • Vizslas
  • Corgis
  • Maltese
  • Chihuahuas
  • Huskies
  • Retrievers

Dog is Hungry

Hunger is one of the most common reasons for your dog to wake up at night.

A dog’s stomach gets empty after 8-9 hours. Hence it needs to be fed 2 or more times a day.

But if you feed your dog well still, he wakes up then it may happen due to habit.

Maybe once or twice you had given him snacks at night. Therefore, he does this to get the snacks again.

You Dog is Thirsty

You need to make sure that your dog has access to a bowl filled with water. A natural thirst is ok.

But sometimes it can be due to some food your doggo has consumed.

Too much dry food increases thirst level and hence the dog may wake up in the middle of the night.

Why Older dog waking up in the middle of the night?

Small dogs, older dogs, and puppies don’t have that much control over their bladder.

It’s ok for the small breeds and puppies, but in older dogs, it can be due to cognitive dysfunction.

Cognitive dysfunction is the most common reason for your older dog to wake up in the middle of the night.

It is a progressive disorder that is similar to dementia.

Common symptoms of the disease include poor adaptability to a new situation, change in the sleep cycle, and increasing confusion.

My dog keeps waking me up in the middle of the night to pee

This is because your dog doesn’t have the proper hold on his bladder.

Usually, small breeds, puppies, and old dogs have to pee every 4 hours. Hence, it is normal for them to pee in the middle of the night.

Bigger and adult dogs have a great hold on the bladder. Therefore, they can control their pee at night. But it is recommended to take them for a pee before going to sleep.

If you notice your doggo peeing a lot then it may be due to medication or illness like diabetes.

How long can dogs hold their pee?

This time frame for adult dogs and puppies is different. Adult dogs can hold pee for up to 10-12 hours.

And puppies can hold pee for up to 4-5 hours. On average, an adult dog must be allowed to pee at least 4-5 times a day.

Should I let my dog go outside in the middle of the night?

You can, but it will be more inconvenient for you and your sleep cycle to do so.

For instance, you can remove the water and food bowls from the reach of your doggo before bedtime.

So, if you sleep at 11 pm then your dog should not have water or food after 8 pm. 

This gives you the time to take him out for potty before going to bed. And he will also be sleeping peacefully.

Why does my dog wake up when I move from my place?

Common reasons include

  • Separation anxiety
  • Needs someone to sleep with
  • Your dog has a habit to sleep with you(particularly)
  • Protectiveness
  • Highly alert
  • Problem with the sleep cycle

How do I stop my dog from waking up in the middle of the night?

Increase the daytime activities

If your dog has a tiring day, he sleeps better. Therefore, you must increase your doggo’s daytime activities.

How can you achieve this –

  • Good body workout for at least 2 hours for big dogs and 30 minutes for small dogs.
  • According to NCBI, it is beneficial for owners to take their dogs for a walk.
  • If your doggo is hyperactive, you can go hiking or running with him
  • Make him learn different commands

Adopt a routine

  • If your dog wakes up at night for snacks or a pee break then you must check his schedule.
    • For example, feed your dog dinner at 5 pm to prevent him from waking up at night.
  • Take your doggo for a walk before and after every meal.
  • Set the routine in such a way that he must know when is bedtime. Normally it is after having dinner and a walk.

Modify the diet

Your doggo must have a healthy and nutritious diet to have a better sleep. Hence, include all the necessary nutrients in his diet.

Provide comfort

When you provide a soothing environment to your dog, he tends to sleep more. Hence, the things you can provide include –

  • A comfy bed
  • Dim lights
  • Silent surrounding
  • Ideal room temperature

Final words

We love our dogs and it is our responsibility to keep them safe and happy. Your dog suddenly waking up in the middle of the night can have various reasons.

We have tried to make you understand some of those reasons. If you feel this problem is getting serious then you must consult your vet.

We hope you find this article informative. Stay connected for more such content. If you have any queries, you can comment down. We will be happy to reply to you. Thank you.