Signs Your Dog Has a Sleep Disorder and What to Do

Signs Your Dog Has a Sleep Disorder   by Dr Katherine Hall
Published 08-11-2022

They say dogs are man’s best friend. That must be why 33% of households worldwide have at least one dog. These four-legged pets are loyal, protective, and for many owners, are considered a part of the family.

But caring for a dog takes time and attention. This includes everything from routine visits to the vet and plenty of exercise to providing a healthy diet, grooming, and affection. As a dog owner, it’s your job to ensure that your pet is happy and healthy. Once you get to know your pet’s normal behaviors, tendencies, and personality it’s easier to notice when something’s wrong.

Similar to humans, sleep is imperative for a dog’s overall health and wellbeing. Depending on the breed, your four-legged friend should get between 12 and 14 hours of sleep per day. This includes the time they sleep both at night and during the day.

Do you suspect that your dog isn’t sleeping enough or may be suffering from a sleep disorder? Knowing the warning signs of sleep disorders in dogs and the different types can help you make a quick diagnosis and get them the treatment they need. Keep reading to learn more about the signs of sleep disorders in dogs and what they mean.

Signs Your Dog May Have a Sleep Disorder

Some dog breeds are less energetic by nature like the English Bulldog, Greyhound, and Basset Hound. But a lethargic dog that lacks energy or the desire to play could be showing signs of a serious sleep disorder. Left untreated, this can lead to dangerous health complications for your pet.

Here are a few warning signs that your dog’s unusual behavior may be indicative of a sleep disorder.

Activity During Sleep

It’s not uncommon for dogs to dream. But if your four-legged friend appears to be running laps or chasing cats in their sleep, they may have a sleep disorder known as REM Behavior Disorder.

This condition causes disruptive physical activity during sleep in both humans and animals. In severe cases, this activity becomes violent and may mimic sleepwalking. For example, your dog might attack random items, bark or howl in their sleep, or run around the house.

Isolated incidents of physical activity during sleep may not be cause for concern but if your dog is experiencing a fitful night’s sleep more often than not and it’s becoming disruptive or dangerous, it may be time for a visit to the vet.

Unlike humans that can use medications like Klonopin for sleep, dogs are often prescribed other, more pet-friendly options. Your vet can advise you on which is the best to treat REM Behavior Disorder so your pup can sleep soundly.

Collapsing Following Physical Activity

Physical activity and exercise are important for the health and happiness of your pet. In fact, adequate exercise helps promote better, deeper sleep in both animals and humans.

While visiting a dog park, playing fetch, and taking long walks are all great ways to get outside and get active with your dog, if they collapse immediately afterward, it could be a sign of a serious condition.

If your dog falls down in exhaustion following physical activity, it may be due to undiagnosed narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by uncontrollable daytime fatigue and is most common in poodles, Labrador retrievers, and Doberman pinschers.

Dogs with this condition will fall over and fall asleep almost instantly following exercise or excitement. This includes greeting guests or family members, playing indoors or out, and even after eating. The good news is that this condition isn’t serious or life-threatening.

External stimulation like petting your pooch or making noise nearby will usually wake them with minimal effort. Most cases of narcolepsy in dogs can be easily treated at home with basic lifestyle changes.

This is the same premise behind CBT-i treatment which is commonly used to treat insomnia in humans by helping patients establish a healthier lifestyle that promotes quality sleep.

Snoring

Snoring is usually a sign that someone is in a deep, restful sleep – including your dog. Unfortunately, it’s also a sign of a more serious underlying disorder known as sleep apnea. While subtle or quiet snoring is common in many breeds, loud snoring that wakes up the entire household isn’t.

Several factors cause dogs to snore including their sleep position (snoring is more common when sleeping on your back), the position of your dog’s tongue, or nasal congestion. If your dog’s snoring is triggered by sleep apnea, you’ll want to address it immediately.

Sleep apnea occurs when the airway passage becomes obstructed, making it difficult for your dog to breathe. This is most common in flat-faced dog breeds including English Bulldogs, Boxers, and Pugs.

Loud snoring, gasping for air in between snores, or long pauses in breathing may all be signs of sleep apnea and require immediate medical attention.

Pacing at Night

From deep sleep to restless sleep – is your pup pacing the floors at night? This behavior can be unsettling for you, your family, and your pet.

Pacing is most common in elderly dogs and may also be accompanied by crying or howling. All of these symptoms are signs that your aging dog is suffering from dementia. Although this isn’t technically a sleep disorder, it does have a significant negative impact on your dog’s sleep quality.

A vet can properly diagnose dementia and teach you coping strategies that help make your pet more comfortable.

Inability to Fall and Stay Asleep May Indicate a Dog Has a Sleep Disorder

Insomnia affects millions of people around the world and is characterized by the inability to fall and stay asleep. Truth be told, your dog can also experience sleep troubles caused by insomnia.

If your dog isn’t getting enough sleep, wakes up frequently during the night, or exhibits excessive daytime fatigue, it may be a sign they’re suffering from insomnia. Although this sleep disorder is rare in dogs, it does happen.

Causes include underlying medical conditions, lack of physical activity, and even extreme stress or anxiety. Similar to dementia, insomnia in dogs is more common as they age and is often a side effect of another medical issue.

A visit to your vet can help clear things up so you can offer your pup the proper treatment.

Now that you know the warning signs of sleep disorders in dogs, you can keep your four-legged friend happy, healthy, and safe.

While exhaustion from an intense game of fetch isn’t uncommon, collapsing afterward could indicate your dog has narcolepsy.

Similarly, dogs that are physically active during sleep, snore loudly, or are restless at night may also be suffering from a variety of common sleep disorders.

Being aware of the warning signs means getting your pup the help they need so they can return to everyday life as a happy, energetic addition to your family.

More Tips for Treating Sleep Disorders in Brachycephalic Dog Breeds

As you may have noticed, most of these sleep disorders apply to brachycephalic dogs or those with shortened skull bones that make the dog’s nose and face appear “pushed-in”.

This bone structure can cause breathing and nasal issues that develop into one or more sleeping disorders. Brachycephalic dog breeds include the ones mentioned above (i.e. Bulldog, Boxer, Pug) plus Shih Tzu, Chow Chows, Boston Terriers, and more.

Here are a few additional tips to help your pooch sleep better at night.

• Maintain a healthy weight (avoid overfeeding)
• Allergy medication
• Avoid excessive heat, stress, or physical exertion
• Allow plenty of time for rest and relaxation
• Avoid overstimulation or excitement
• Encourage your pup to sleep on its side or belly

Signs Your Dog Has a Sleep Disorder:  Last Words

Now that you know the warning signs of sleep disorders in dogs and tips for easing symptoms, you can keep your four-legged friend happy, healthy, and safe.

While exhaustion from an intense game of fetch isn’t uncommon, collapsing afterward could indicate your dog has narcolepsy.

Similarly, dogs that are physically active during sleep, snore loudly, or are restless at night may also be suffering from a variety of common sleep disorders.

Being aware of the warning signs that your dog has a sleep disorder means getting your pup the help they need so they can return to everyday life as a happy, energetic addition to your family.

Your Dog Has a Sleep Disorder
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Your Dog Has a Sleep Disorder:
Author Bio

Author: Dr Katherine Hall

Short bio: Katherine is a Sleep Psychologist with 13 years of clinical experience who primarily specialises in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).

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