“My Senior Dog Is Barking at Nothing”: what it could mean and what to do

When an older dog starts barking at “nothing,” it rarely feels like nothing to the dog. Senior dogs can become more sensitive to sound and light, less sure of what they are hearing or seeing, and more easily unsettled by changes in their body or environment. Sometimes the explanation is fairly simple (a new noise outside). Other times, it can be an early clue that your dog needs medical help or a different kind of support at home.

Because several health conditions can look similar from the outside, it is always worth discussing new or worsening barking with your dog’s veterinarian, especially if your dog is over about 10 years old or the change was sudden.

What “barking at nothing” can mean in senior dogs

Cognitive changes (canine cognitive dysfunction, or CCD)

One of the most common age-related explanations is canine cognitive dysfunction, sometimes described as dog dementia. CCD is associated with changes like disorientation, altered interactions, sleep-wake disruption, house soiling, activity changes, and anxiety (often summarized as the “DISHA” pattern). Barking can show up as part of restlessness, confusion, or a sleep cycle shift, including nighttime agitation sometimes called “sundowning.”

What it can look like:

• Barking in the evening or at night, especially after waking
• Staring at walls, getting “stuck” in corners, wandering, pacing
• Seeming unsure of familiar rooms or routines

Important nuance: CCD is a diagnosis made after your veterinarian rules out other medical causes that can mimic dementia (pain, endocrine disease, neurologic issues, etc.).

Hearing loss or sound distortion

Many senior dogs gradually lose hearing. When dogs cannot locate sounds clearly, they may bark toward empty space, appear startled by “sudden” noises, or vocalize more because they feel uncertain. Some owners also describe behavior that resembles reacting to a sound the humans cannot hear (high-frequency electronics, outdoor devices, distant alarms).

Research note: age-related hearing loss in dogs is widely recognized clinically, but specific research on “phantom barking” as a distinct syndrome is limited. In most cases, veterinarians treat it as a practical problem: an older dog is less able to interpret their environment.

Vision loss and misinterpretation of shadows

Dimming vision can make normal shadows, reflections, or movement outside a window look like a threat. Dogs may bark at doorways, hallways, the yard at dusk, or mirrors.

Clues that vision is part of the story:

• Hesitating on stairs or in dim rooms
• Bumping into furniture in unfamiliar lighting
• Increased barking at night or in low light

Pain or discomfort that lowers your dog’s tolerance

Arthritis, dental pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, and other chronic issues can make a dog more reactive and less able to settle. Pain does not always look like limping. In older dogs, pain can show up as pacing, restlessness, panting, irritability, and vocalizing.

If barking coincides with trouble getting comfortable, stiffness, or a change in sleep, pain belongs high on the list.

Anxiety (including separation-related distress)

Older dogs can become more anxious for several reasons: sensory decline, cognitive change, or simply a reduced ability to cope with novelty. Anxiety barking may happen when you leave the room, when the house quiets down, or during storms and fireworks that previously did not bother them as much.

Vestibular disease or other neurologic problems

Vestibular disease affects balance and orientation. Dogs can appear dizzy, disoriented, nauseated, and unsteady, sometimes with a head tilt. A dog that feels suddenly unsteady may vocalize, panic, or bark in confusion. Vestibular signs are a “do not wait” reason to call a veterinarian, because causes range from treatable ear issues to more serious neurologic disease.

High blood pressure and related complications

Systemic hypertension in dogs is often secondary to another illness (kidney disease, endocrine disorders). High blood pressure can contribute to eye problems, neurologic signs, or general malaise. It is not the most common direct cause of barking, but it can be part of a bigger senior-dog picture your veterinarian may want to evaluate.

Less common but important medical causes

A veterinarian may consider:

• Brain disease (tumors, inflammation)
• Seizure activity (some seizures are subtle and look like odd staring, snapping, or sudden vocalizing)
• Medication side effects (some drugs increase restlessness or vocalization)
• Endocrine disease (like thyroid or cortisol-related disorders) that changes behavior

Quick triage: when to call the vet urgently

Contact a veterinarian promptly (same day if possible) if any of the following are true:

• The barking change was sudden and dramatic
• Your dog seems disoriented, is circling, stumbling, has a head tilt, or cannot stand steadily
• There are fainting episodes, collapse, repeated vomiting, or signs of severe pain
• You see seizure-like events (sudden stiffening, paddling, “trancing,” unresponsive staring, or repeated unusual episodes)
• Your dog’s appetite, drinking, urination, or sleep changes sharply

If your dog is stable but the barking is new or escalating over days to weeks, schedule a visit soon. Senior behavior changes are often treatable or at least manageable, but waiting makes it harder to sort out what started the cascade.

What you can do at home right now

1) Start a simple “barking log”

This helps your veterinarian and can quickly reveal patterns.

Track for 7 to 14 days:

• Time of day (especially evening vs daytime)
• Where your dog was (window, hallway, bed)
• What happened right before the barking (door sound, you stood up, lights changed)
• How long it lasted
• Anything that stopped it (treat, light on, going outside)

Also take short videos when you can. A 20-second clip can be more useful than a long explanation.

2) Check the environment for triggers you might not notice

Common culprits:

• Ultrasonic pest devices, high-pitched electronics, chargers, or a new appliance
• Outdoor motion lights, reflective surfaces, shadows from ceiling fans
• Neighborhood changes (construction, a new dog nearby)

Try a low-effort test:

• Close blinds at dusk for a week
• Add white noise near your dog’s resting area at night
• Turn off or unplug new devices one at a time

3) Make nighttime easier on an aging brain and body

If barking peaks in the evening or overnight, treat your home like a supportive “low confusion” space:

• Add a nightlight in hallways and near the water bowl
• Keep furniture in consistent locations
• Use rugs or runners for traction
• Offer a final calm potty break before bed
• Keep bedtime and wake time consistent

For dogs with cognitive changes, structure often matters more than you expect. Professional guidelines and recent reviews note that CCD can be underdiagnosed and challenging to confirm objectively, so practical management at home becomes a big part of care.

4) Reassure without accidentally training more barking

This is tricky. You want your dog to feel safe, but you do not want to create a “bark, get a big response” loop.

Try:

• Calmly acknowledge (“good, I see it”), then redirect to a simple task your dog knows (touch, sit)
• Reward the moment they stop barking and engage with you
• Keep your own voice low and movements slow

If your dog is truly distressed, comfort is appropriate. The goal is steady reassurance, not escalating attention.

5) Add senior-friendly enrichment during the day

A bored dog can bark. A cognitively struggling dog can also bark more when under-stimulated.

Good options:

• Snuffle mats, scatter feeding, lick mats
• Gentle scent games (“find it” with treats in easy spots)
• Short, predictable walks (even 10 minutes helps)
• Low-impact training refreshers

Avoid overwhelming novelty. For many seniors, “easy wins” beat complicated puzzles.

6) Do a quick comfort check

Ask yourself:

• Is my dog reluctant to jump, climb stairs, or settle?
• Are they licking joints, panting at rest, or changing positions constantly?
• Do they chew on one side, drop food, or avoid crunchy treats (dental pain)?

If yes, move “pain evaluation” higher on your priority list with the vet.

What your veterinarian may do (and why)

A typical approach is to rule out medical contributors before landing on a behavioral or cognitive diagnosis. That may include:

• Physical and neurologic exam
• Bloodwork and urinalysis to screen for metabolic disease
• Blood pressure measurement in appropriate cases
• Vision and hearing assessment
• Discussion of medications and supplements
• Additional testing if neurologic disease is suspected

If CCD is likely, there are evidence-based options that may be discussed. Senior care guidance notes that selegiline is the only drug labeled for canine cognitive dysfunction in some regions, and it is one part of a broader plan that can include environmental management and behavior support.

Research note: diets, supplements, pheromones, and various supportive therapies are commonly used, but the strength of evidence varies and studies are not always consistent in design, sample size, or outcomes measured. Your veterinarian can help you avoid expensive “kitchen sink” approaches and choose what fits your dog’s health profile and medications.

A practical “what to do next” plan

1. Book a veterinary visit if the barking is new, worsening, or paired with any other behavior change.
2. Bring: your barking log, videos, a list of meds and supplements, and notes about sleep changes.
3. While waiting for the visit, implement two low-risk home supports:
   • Nightlight + consistent routine
   • Reduce visual triggers (blinds at dusk) or add white noise at night
4. If your vet rules out pain and medical causes, ask about:
   • Cognitive screening and management options
   • Anxiety support strategies
   • A referral to a veterinary behaviorist if needed

And throughout all of this, keep the big picture in mind: your dog is not being “difficult.” In most cases, they are coping with a brain or body that does not give them the same clarity it used to.

Always check any new symptom, supplement, medication, or major routine change with your dog’s veterinarian, especially in seniors who may have underlying kidney, liver, heart, or neurologic disease.

Sources

• American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), Senior Care Guidelines: Managing Cognitive Dysfunction and Behavioral Anxiety (AAHA)
• American Journal of Veterinary Research (2025), Recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for canine cognitive dysfunction (AVMA Journals)
• Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2025), Current practices for diagnosis and management of canine cognitive dysfunction (Frontiers)
• PetMD, “What Is Dog Dementia? Signs of Canine Dementia and How To Help Your Dog” (PetMD)
• VCA Hospitals, Systemic Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) in Dogs (Vca)
• American Kennel Club (AKC), Vestibular Disease in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Treatment (American Kennel Club)