Table of Contents
If your senior dog has started pacing, whining, wandering from room to room, or waking you multiple times a night, it can feel unsettling fast. Nighttime restlessness is not a diagnosis by itself. It is a clue, and in older dogs it often points to discomfort, changes in brain function, or a basic need that is suddenly harder for them to meet.
Because there are many possible causes, the safest approach is to treat nighttime restlessness as a medical and quality of life problem, not a “behavior issue.” And even if you try practical changes at home, it is still wise to check in with your dog’s veterinarian, especially if the change is new, worsening, or paired with any other symptoms.
What “restless at night” can look like in senior dogs
Owners describe it in a lot of different ways, including:
- Pacing, circling, or wandering as if they cannot settle
- Staring at walls or into corners
- Seeming “lost” in familiar rooms
- Panting when the room is not hot
- Sudden barking or vocalizing at night
- Asking to go outside repeatedly, sometimes with little urine produced
- Changing sleep patterns, sleeping most of the day and roaming at night
- Getting up and down often, shifting positions, or refusing to lie down
The pattern matters. A dog who is restless only on cold nights can be different from a dog who is restless every night, or one who is fine until early evening and then becomes agitated.
The most common reasons senior dogs get restless at night
Pain and discomfort, especially arthritis
Chronic pain is one of the biggest drivers of nighttime pacing. Osteoarthritis is extremely common in older dogs, and pain can feel worse after long periods of rest. Merck’s Veterinary Manual notes signs like difficulty rising and stiffness after rest as typical for osteoarthritis.
There is also research linking canine osteoarthritis to disrupted night rest. For example, a study comparing dogs with osteoarthritis to healthy dogs used activity monitoring and owner reports to evaluate differences in nighttime rest, suggesting that pain can affect sleep quality. That said, these studies often involve relatively small groups of dogs and measuring sleep in animals is tricky, so we should treat the evidence as supportive rather than definitive.
What you might notice if pain is involved
- Stiffness in the morning
- Reluctance to use stairs or jump
- Restlessness that improves after a gentle walk
- Licking at joints, yelping when turning, or avoiding certain positions
Canine cognitive dysfunction, including “sundowning”
Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), sometimes compared to Alzheimer-like changes, commonly includes sleep wake cycle disruption. A veterinary review describes CDS as underdiagnosed and emphasizes that it is typically a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning other medical causes should be ruled out first.
Owners often report the most distressing signs are the ones that disturb sleep, like pacing throughout the night or nighttime vocalizing.
Some dogs show a “sundowning” pattern, where disorientation and agitation increase in the late afternoon and evening. Not every restless senior dog has CDS, but if you also see confusion, changes in social interaction, house soiling, or new anxiety, it becomes more likely.
Important limitation to know: researchers are actively studying biomarkers (like blood tests) to help identify CDS earlier, but at this time they still need validation and standardization before they are reliably used in everyday clinics.
Needing to urinate more, or urinary discomfort
Older dogs often develop conditions that increase thirst and urination, such as kidney disease, diabetes, or Cushing’s disease. Some dogs also develop urinary tract infections or bladder inflammation. Any of these can lead to repeated nighttime wake ups, pacing at the door, or accidents.
A key clue is whether your dog asks to go out, strains, urinates in small amounts, or seems uncomfortable. This is one of the situations where a vet visit matters quickly because urinary issues can become urgent, especially in male dogs if obstruction is a concern.
GI upset, nausea, or reflux-like discomfort
Some dogs pace because they feel nauseated, need to vomit, or have abdominal discomfort that feels worse when they lie down. Older dogs may have sensitive stomachs, slower digestion, or chronic GI disease. You may see lip licking, swallowing, grass seeking, or burping, plus restlessness that improves briefly after eating a small snack. Because these signs overlap with other problems, a vet exam is the best way to sort it out.
Breathing or heart problems that feel worse when lying down
If your dog is restless plus coughing, breathing faster than normal, struggling to get comfortable on their side, or seems better sitting upright, this can point to heart or respiratory disease. These are not “wait and see” signs. They warrant prompt veterinary guidance.
Sensory decline, especially vision or hearing loss
Dogs with hearing or vision changes can become more unsettled in the dark. In the CDS literature, sensory deficits are also discussed as potentially overlapping with cognitive signs, and it is important to identify whether sensory loss is the primary issue.
If your dog startles easily at night, hesitates in hallways, misjudges steps, or seems calmer with a night light, sensory decline may be playing a role.
Medication side effects or schedule changes
Some medications can increase agitation, panting, thirst, or the need to urinate. The CDS review notes certain drugs can exacerbate signs associated with cognitive dysfunction, and medications that increase thirst and urination can contribute to house soiling and nighttime disruptions.
If the timing of restlessness lines up with a new medication, dose change, or even a new supplement, tell your veterinarian. Bring the full list, including over the counter products.
Anxiety and changes in routine
Older dogs often have less resilience. A move, a new family schedule, construction noise, a new pet, or even a change in your bedtime routine can trigger nighttime unsettled behavior. Anxiety can also worsen if pain, sensory loss, or cognitive decline is already present, so it is not always “either or.”
What to do tonight and over the next 1 to 2 weeks
The goal is to reduce discomfort, meet basic needs, and gather better information for your veterinarian.
Step 1: Track the pattern like a detective
For 7 to 14 days, jot down:
- What time restlessness starts
- What your dog does (pace, pant, whine, asks to go out)
- Whether they pee or poop, and how much
- Meals and treats, plus timing
- Exercise and nap patterns
- Any coughing, vomiting, licking, or stiffness
- Any changes in the home (guests, storms, routine)
Even a simple phone note helps. This history can speed up diagnosis because CDS, pain, endocrine disease, and urinary issues can look similar at 2 a.m.
Step 2: Make the sleep environment easier on an aging body and brain
These small changes can make a big difference:
- Increase traction. Slippery floors can make older dogs anxious, especially if their joints hurt.
- Provide an orthopedic, supportive bed.
- Keep water accessible, but consider a last “water check” earlier in the evening if your vet has not flagged hydration concerns.
- Add a night light in hallways and near the bed.
- Keep furniture layout consistent so a cognitively impaired dog is not forced to relearn pathways. The CDS review notes that changes like rearranging furniture can create difficulty for some seniors.
- Offer a calm, predictable bedtime routine: short potty break, quiet time, then lights down.
Step 3: Adjust evening activity, but do not overdo it
Many senior dogs sleep better with gentle movement and mental engagement during the day, then calm in the evening. Enrichment and exercise are commonly included in CDS management plans, and regular activity is considered supportive for brain health, adjusted to the dog’s endurance.
Try:
- One earlier walk focused on sniffing, not speed
- A short, low impact play session
- A puzzle feeder or sniffing game in the afternoon
- Avoid intense exercise right before bed, which can rev up some dogs
Step 4: If pain is suspected, focus on comfort first, not discipline
If your dog seems unable to settle, assume discomfort until proven otherwise.
Helpful at home comfort options you can discuss with your vet:
- Warmer bedding, especially in cold seasons
- A low step or ramp to avoid jumping
- Gentle stretching and massage if your dog enjoys it
- Vet approved pain management plans. The 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines emphasize pain management as an ongoing cycle of assessment, treatment, and reassessment, rather than a one time fix.
Do not give human pain medications. Many are dangerous for dogs.
Step 5: Handle nighttime potty needs strategically
If your dog wakes to potty:
- Keep it boring and calm
- Leash walk to the same spot
- No play, no snack rewards, minimal chatter
- Back to bed immediately
If they want to go out repeatedly with only tiny amounts of urine, or seem uncomfortable, that is a reason to call your veterinarian sooner.
When to call the vet quickly vs. when to schedule a routine appointment
Call urgently or seek emergency care if you see:
- Labored breathing, blue gums, collapse, or severe weakness
- Repeated unproductive retching, bloated abdomen, or obvious abdominal pain
- Inability to urinate, straining without producing urine
- Sudden severe disorientation, seizures, or inability to stand
- Restlessness plus persistent cough, especially if worse at night
Schedule a vet visit soon if:
- Night restlessness is new and persists more than a few nights
- There are accidents in the house, increased thirst, or increased urination
- There are signs of pain, stiffness, or difficulty rising
- Your dog’s sleep wake cycle has flipped (sleep all day, roam all night)
- There is nighttime vocalizing that seems confused or distressed
A veterinarian may recommend an exam, pain assessment, bloodwork and urine testing, blood pressure checks, and sometimes imaging, depending on symptoms. If CDS is suspected, many clinicians use questionnaires and rule out other causes, since CDS is considered a diagnosis of exclusion.
What about supplements or sleep aids?
This is where you really want veterinary guidance, because “natural” does not always mean safe, and older dogs often have other medical conditions.
Melatonin
Melatonin is sometimes discussed for sleep issues, anxiety, and certain conditions in dogs, and mainstream pet health sources emphasize veterinarian oversight and caution about human products that may contain toxic ingredients like xylitol.
Limitations: high quality, large scale clinical studies for melatonin’s effectiveness for canine insomnia or cognitive decline are limited, dosing varies by condition, and supplement quality can be inconsistent. Treat it as something to discuss with your vet, not a default solution.
Prescription options for cognitive dysfunction
Selegiline (Anipryl) is a prescription medication indicated for clinical signs associated with canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, per the manufacturer prescribing information.
Whether it is appropriate depends on your dog’s symptoms, other health issues, and medication interactions. Your veterinarian will guide this.
A practical plan you can bring to your veterinarian
If you want something concrete, here is a simple checklist to take into the appointment:
- Short timeline: when the night restlessness started and how it has changed
- Video clips of the behavior (30 to 60 seconds can be very helpful)
- Notes on potty habits, thirst, appetite, coughing, vomiting, stiffness, and pacing
- List of all medications and supplements, including flea tick products
- Your top 2 concerns: quality of sleep and quality of life
The clearer the history, the faster your vet can narrow the list.
The bottom line
Nighttime restlessness in a senior dog is common, but it is not something you have to accept as “just aging.” Pain, urinary issues, gastrointestinal discomfort, heart or breathing problems, sensory decline, medication effects, and canine cognitive dysfunction can all play a role, sometimes together.
Always check with your dog’s veterinarian, especially if the change is new, sudden, or paired with other symptoms. The goal is not just sleep for you. It is comfort and clarity for your dog.
Sources
- Today’s Veterinary Practice, “Updates on Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.” (Today's Veterinary Practice)
- American Journal of Veterinary Research (2025), “Recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for canine cognitive dysfunction.” (avmajournals.avma.org)
- AAHA, “2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats” (PDF). (AAHA)
- Merck Veterinary Manual, “Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Cats.” (Merck Veterinary Manual)
- PeerJ (2015), “Initial evaluation of nighttime restlessness in a naturally occurring canine osteoarthritis model.” (PeerJ)
- Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2022), “Associations between osteoarthritis and duration and quality of night-time rest in dogs.” (ScienceDirect)
- Zoetis, “Anipryl (selegiline) Prescribing Information” (PDF). (zoetisus.com)
- AKC, “Melatonin for Dogs: Benefits, Dosage, and When to Use.” (American Kennel Club)
- PetMD, “Melatonin for Dogs.” (PetMD)