Bedtime can be stressful for some dog owners, especially if their dog is on the hyper side. Luckily, there are some things that you can do to calm your dog down and get a better night’s sleep. Whether your dog is a hyper puppy or just an adult dog who has developed bad habits, you have likely asked yourself: why is my dog hyper at night?
Dogs are hyper at night because it stems from normal canine behavior and lack of exercise. A high sugar diet along with a lack of playtime can lead to dogs being hyper at night. Establishing a sleep schedule, regular play, diet adjustment, and training can help eliminate this behavior.
In this article, we will be explaining why your dog might be acting hyper at night. We will also be describing some simple solutions to these causes along with some other frequently asked questions.
6 Reasons Your Dog Is Hyper At Night
There are six main common reasons why some dogs are hyper at night. All of these are common and normal canine behaviors, and their solutions are relatively simple. Here are six common reasons your dog might be hyper at night.
Dogs Have A Different Natural Sleep Cycle
Dogs naturally do not have the same sleep cycle that humans have. Instead of being awake all day and asleep all night, dogs tend to take naps throughout the day. However, your dog will begin to naturally follow your sleep cycles more if they have a good diet, get enough exercise, and an established daily routine.
Your Dog Is A Puppy
As we have mentioned, dogs do not share the same sleep cycle as humans. Puppies who are hyper at night likely just haven’t figured out what bedtime is yet. Creating a bedtime routine for your puppy will help.
Your Dog Isn’t Getting Enough Exercise
Your dog might be hyper at night because he hasn’t gotten enough exercise during the day. This is especially true for dogs who spend 8 hours a day home alone. If you suspect that this is the cause, the only way to calm your dog down at night is to get more exercise time in. This could be walks, games of fetch, and even playing in the backyard.
Check Your Dog’s Diet
Dogs with a poor diet that is high in sugar and carbohydrates are typically more hyper than those with balanced diets. You can check what ingredients are in your dog’s store-bought food by looking at the ingredients label.
You could also get a vet’s recommendation if you need some extra help. If this is the cause of your dog being hyper at night, they will likely calm down once you make the food switch.
Change Up Feeding Times
Feeding your dog too close to bedtime can cause them to be hyper when it’s time for them to go to sleep. They are also more likely to need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.
The solution to this is to feed your dog 2-3 hours before bedtime. This way, they still have plenty of time to play and use the bathroom before it’s time for bed.
- It has Been Encouraged
Of course, your dog could be hyper at night because it has been encouraged in the past. The only way that this can be fixed is by holding to a strict bedtime routine and ensuring that your dog gets enough daily exercise and a balanced diet.
Why Does My Dog Think Bedtime Is Playtime
Your dog may want to play at bedtime if:
● They haven’t gotten enough exercise during the day
● They are not used to the routine (familiar for puppies and newly adopted dogs)
● They have a poor diet
● This behavior has been encouraged in the past
Why Does My Dog Get The Zoomies At night
The most common cause behind dogs getting the zoomies at night is that they haven’t gotten enough exercise that day. However, the cause could also be any of the others that we have mentioned previously.
Why Is My Dog Restless At Night All Of A Sudden
If your dog is becoming restless at night, seemingly out of the blue, then they could be anxious or have a health condition such as dementia. If you believe that your dog is showing signs of dementia, you should visit a vet to get a treatment plan.
Although dementia cannot be cured, your vet can help with making symptoms of it manageable. Similarly, if you suspect that your dog is in pain, you should visit a vet who can help.
How Do I Stop My Dog From waking Up In The Middle Of The Night
To stop your dog from waking up in the middle of the night, it is crucial to ensure that all of his needs are met. This includes going to the bathroom, having enough water, and having enough food. In addition to this, it helps to give your dog an appropriate amount of exercise every day.
How Do You Get Your Dog To Sleep Through The Night
You can get your dog to sleep through the night by:
● Making sure they get enough exercise
● Letting them use the bathroom before bed
● Feeding them 2-3 hours before bedtime
Of course, your puppy may wake up during the night to go to the bathroom. This is normal and will likely subside once they learn to “hold it” throughout the night.
How To Get Your Dog To Calm Down At Night
We have already mentioned many ways to prevent your dog from being hyper at night, but what can you do when this problem occurs? Luckily, there are three main things that you can do to calm your dog down at night.
The first is to create a comfortable, quiet, and dim space for your dog to sleep. This ensures that your dog will feel safe, and having the area dark and quiet will make him more inclined to fall asleep.
The second way to calm your dog down is to play some soothing music. This drowns out any exciting sounds that may occur while also calming them down. White noise works in this way as well.
The final way you can calm your dog down at night is to give your dog some relaxing pets or rubs. This sometimes helps to calm anxious or over-tired dogs. However, this method is not suitable for dogs who get over-excited by their owner petting them.
There are some other things that you should consider about dogs being hyper at night. These include whether this behavior is normal, what to do if the problem still occurs, and when to see a vet.
Is It Normal for Dogs to be Hyper at Night
It is normal for puppies, young, energetic dogs, and under-exercised dogs to be hyper at night, and this behavior shouldn’t concern you too much. However, this doesn’t mean that it is convenient for their owners. Making attempts to have your dog go to sleep at night will likely improve your overall quality of life.
What Should I Do If My Dog Continues To Be Hyper At Night
In some rare cases, an owner might have tried all of the suggestions we have listed, but their dog is still hyper at night. The best thing that you can do at this point increases the amount of exercise your dog gets during the day.
For the most part, dogs being hyper at night is nothing to worry about. However, you should visit a vet if your dog suddenly seems restless and shows signs of being in pain, having dementia, or being anxious. Your vet will likely be able to improve your dog’s symptoms or make them more manageable.
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