Why Is My Dog Restless And Panting At Night
Restlessness and panting are common symptoms in dogs, but they can be symptoms of something serious. If your dog is restless and panting at night, it’s important to take action right away. The causes of restlessness and panting vary widely, so we’ll cover the most common ones here.
Anxiety is one of the many causes of restlessness & panting in dogs at night.
Anxiety is one of the many causes of restlessness & panting in dogs at night.
Dogs are susceptible to the same fears and anxieties that humans are, so if you’ve ever felt anxious about something, you can probably relate to what a dog might be experiencing while they’re feeling anxious. Some common things that can cause anxiety include:
- People
- Other animals (e.g., cats)
- Loud noises (e.g., fireworks)
- Being left alone
- Being in a new place
Your dog may be restless & pant because of canine dementia or cognitive dysfunction.
- Your dog may be restless and panting at night because of canine cognitive dysfunction.
- Canine dementia is a progressive brain disease that affects dogs of all ages. Dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction (CDS) are less able to control their behavior than normal dogs, which can result in excessive vocalization and restlessness during the day or night. They may also experience other symptoms such as loss of appetite and disorientation, which can lead to increased panting during sleep because they are unable to regulate their body temperature properly.
Canine claustrophobia.
If your dog is a big fan of exploring the outdoors and isn’t used to being in small spaces, you might notice them getting restless. This can happen if they experience canine claustrophobia while they’re sleeping or resting.
If your dog’s anxiety is due to their inability to move freely around their bedding area, it might be best to remove some of the bedding from their crate so that they have more room. You may also want to consider swapping out the fabric in their crate for something less padded, like canvas or mesh materials—as long as your pup doesn’t mind sleeping on those materials!
Heatstroke can cause restlessness & panting at night.
Heatstroke can occur at any time of year, and it’s a serious condition to be aware of. While you may think your dog is just hot from the summer heat, he could actually be suffering from heatstroke. The symptoms include restlessness and panting at night, which is why you need to pay attention when your dog exhibits these behaviors. If you think this could be happening to your pet, take him immediately to the vet for treatment.
Keep in mind that dogs don’t sweat like humans do—they cool themselves by panting during exercise or when they’re stressed out about something (like being left alone). They also lose water through their nose as steam when they exhale after panting. So if he’s been running around outside in 100-degree weather all day long without access to cool down from overheating—which would make anyone feel restless—it’s likely that his body temperature has reached dangerous levels. Even if it hasn’t yet hit those critical numbers, keep checking on him so you can monitor any changes since every dog’s metabolism works differently!
Medication side effects can cause your dog to be restless & pant at night.
Medication side effects can cause your dog to be restless, panting and unable to sleep at night. If your dog is panting and restless it may be due to medication side effects, so it’s important to consider what medications he is taking and whether any of them may cause these symptoms.
Medications that can make your dog restless include:
- anticholinergic drugs (such as Benadryl)
- tricyclic antidepressants (such as Elavil)
Medications that can make your dog pant include:
- antidepressants (such as trazodone or Prozac)
- thyroid medications (such as Synthroid).
Restlessness & panting could be caused by a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea (snoring and choking) in dogs.
There are many reasons why your dog may be restless and panting at night. As a dog owner, you may have noticed that your pet has been sleeping with its head on the floor or has been snoring or choking while asleep. These symptoms could indicate a sleep disorder called sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is caused by a blockage of airflow during respiration. This can happen when the soft tissue at the back of the throat collapses during sleep, blocking air from passing through the windpipe and into lungs. There are several factors that can contribute to this condition including obesity, airway collapse due to an elongated soft palate in dogs, heart disease and brain tumors (1).
Restless and panting dogs need attention, sometimes urgent medical attention
If your dog is panting and restless, you should take him to the vet. This could be a sign of any number of things: heartworm disease, hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone), or even cancer. There are other reasons why your dog may be restless at night. He may be uncomfortable because of fleas or ticks that have bitten him during the day and are causing an allergic reaction at night. If this is the case, try treating for fleas and ticks with some over-the-counter products before taking him to the vet to rule out any serious illnesses such as heartworm disease or hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone).
If you notice that your dog is restless and panting at night, it’s important to take action quickly. The sooner you seek out expert help for your pet, the better their chances of a full recovery.
