📷 by Christian Domingues
The essentials
- Dogs can have trouble sleeping, too — If your dog wakes up frequently at night or has low energy/crankiness during the day, they may have a sleep disorder like sleep apnea or insomnia.
- A few disorders are common — REM sleep disorder, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy tend to affect dogs the most.
- Good sleep matters — Just as with humans, quality of sleep is directly related to quality of life. If your dog has a sleep disorder, it must be evaluated and treated by a vet.
Dogs can experience many of the same sleep disorders that humans do. These disorders wreak havoc on a dog’s energy levels, mood, and immune system. Twitching muscles, anxiety, lethargy, and cranky or aggressive daytime behavior are tell-tale signs of many sleeping disorders, but the causes behind each one can differ drastically. If you’ve noticed your pup’s sleep quality has been off lately, it may be due to one of these common sleeping disorders in dogs:
1. Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder commonly associated with (and sometimes caused by) snoring in dogs. This disorder is caused by a lack of oxygen while sleeping, which usually occurs due to blocked airways. Sleep apnea (also known as obstructive sleep apnea) commonly affects overweight dogs and brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds. When something’s blocking a dog’s airways, even if it’s just their sleeping position, they won’t get the oxygen they need to truly rest.
If your dog is a loud snorer and they seem tired or lethargic during the day, it may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can have very negative effects on a dog’s quality of life, causing them to be tired, irritable, and to nap often to make up for the sleep they didn’t get at night.
The solution to most sleep apnea cases is to find a way to prevent the dog’s airways from being blocked. That could mean treating them for allergies, using humidifiers, or making sure they have clear nostrils.
2. Narcolepsy
While rare, sleeplessness can be caused by a genetic disorder, narcolepsy. Canine narcolepsy is characterized by overwhelming attacks of drowsiness and suddenly falling unconscious. The hormone hypocretin (also called orexin) is primarily responsible for narcolepsy. Lacking this chemical is the reason behind several medical problems, including narcolepsy.
In humans, narcolepsy makes it impossible to do certain things, such as driving, that could be dangerous if the person suddenly falls asleep. Narcolepsy in dogs isn’t as risky — dogs don’t drive cars — nor do mild cases significantly affect quality of life.
For dogs, a narcoleptic episode looks a lot like what you’d expect a fainting spell to look like. The dog will suddenly fall asleep, remain asleep for 10-15 minutes, and then wake up as if nothing happened. The severity of narcolepsy ranges in dogs, and the condition isn’t painful or life-threatening.
Cataplexy is a related genetic condition that some dogs experience. The main symptom of cataplexy is sudden paralysis without falling asleep. The causes are the same, but the resulting episodes are different.
If you believe your dog has narcolepsy, it’s important to have them diagnosed by a vet so that you can learn how to help them live their best life. Once diagnosed, you’ll learn how to spot an oncoming episode, as well as what you can do to decrease their severity and frequency.
Syncope (fainting due to heart disease) can also look like narcolepsy. That’s another reason it’s important to have your vet make a diagnosis!
3. Insomnia
If your dog seems to be up all day and all night, they may have insomnia. This disorder occurs when dogs have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Canine insomnia is rarer than other sleep disorders, but it’s still known to affect dogs of all breeds.
Insomnia is often related to other health issues, such as thyroid problems, diabetes, kidney disease, or pain brought on by other underlying health issues. It’s important to take your dog to the vet if you think they’re suffering from insomnia so that your veterinarian can begin to diagnose any health issue they may have.
4. REM behavior disorder
This disorder describes a series of irregular sleeping behaviors, such as barking, shaking, and howling. In rare cases, the dog may even get up and move while still asleep! REM behavior disorder can affect both nighttime sleeping and daytime naps.
REM behavior disorder may look like your dog is dreaming — perhaps chasing a squirrel. Other times, loud barking and physical movement can be irritating to you and your family members.
REM (rapid eye movement) sleep is the deepest stage of the sleep-wake cycle, and REM sleep behavior disorder can be very disruptive to both their sleep and yours. Mild cases are usually nothing to worry about, but treatment is needed for severe cases. Evidence has shown that potassium bromide can help dogs with REM sleep disorder sleep more soundly.
If your dog has REM behavior disorder, take them to your vet to have them evaluated. They’ll be able to recommend treatment for your pup that’ll help everyone in the house sleep a little better at night.
How vets treat sleep disorders in dogs
The vet will treat your dog’s sleeping disorder depending on the underlying cause. In some cases, simple lifestyle changes can be enough to help your dog get a better night’s sleep. Other common treatment options include:
Medications
Prescription drugs treat all kinds of sleeping disorders in dogs. Dogs with insomnia may benefit from anti-anxiety medications including trazodone, clorazepate, alprazolam, flurazepam, and clonazepam.
In cases of narcolepsy, antidepressants like imipramine, clomipramine, fluoxetine, or venlafaxine can help lower excitement and reduce the risk of falling. Stimulants like modafinil and amphetamine can help narcoleptic dogs shake off daytime sleepiness.
Dogs who suffer from REM sleep behavior disorder are commonly recommended potassium bromide, a medication normally used to control seizures in dogs. Research suggests that dogs with all kinds of behavioral conditions — from REM sleep behavior disorder to OCD and generalized anxiety — can improve from tricyclic antidepressant therapy.
Supplements
Certain supplements may help your dog sleep deeper and more peacefully, depending on their disorder. Valerian, kava, and melatonin are commonly touted as promoting deeper sleep, but we recommend checking out our in-depth breakdown of favorite calming supplements for dogs for more info.
Management of underlying conditions
In cases where an underlying condition causes your dog’s insomnia, the sleeping disorder will usually subside when the illness does. For example, arthritis causes intense pain that can result in insomnia, but pain medications like grapiprant (Galliprant) and the use of an orthopedic dog bed at night can relieve arthritis symptoms and let your dog sleep.
Sleeping disorders tied to cognitive dysfunction can be alleviated through common treatments, including prescription diets, anti-anxiety medications, and supplements like Senilife®.
Increased exercise
Exercise is a major part of life for dogs, and when they aren’t getting enough exercise, they won’t be able to sleep well at night. Dogs with insomnia and sleep apnea can benefit from increased daily physical activity. More exercise helps burn off excess energy, relieves anxiety, and keeps dogs at a healthy weight.
In some cases, your dog may be limited to mild or moderate exercise. This is especially true for dogs suffering from joint or orthopedic problems.
👉 Work with your vet to develop a healthy weight loss plan for your dog if they’re overweight or obese. Dogs suffering from joint or orthopedic problems
Environmental changes
Sometimes, a dog’s environment can cause or worsen a sleeping disorder. If you’ve noticed your dog has difficulty sleeping, we recommend getting them a designated dog bed. Round ones are best, as they promote a healthier sleeping position that keeps their airways open, reducing snoring and sleep apnea. We like this bagel-shaped dog bed from Majestic Pet Products.
It might be tempting to snuggle up to your dog at night, but letting your dog sleep on your bed with you often means that you’ll be disturbing each other at night. A good night’s sleep for both pets and parents happens in separate spaces.
Dogs with narcolepsy should avoid walking near ledges or high surfaces to minimize the risk of a dangerous fall. Similarly, narcoleptic dogs shouldn’t have food and water bowls made of glass, as a fall onto glassware can put them at risk of serious injury. Elevated bowls are ideal here since the added height minimizes the risk of accidental drowning or suffocation.
Surgery
Brachycephalic breeds (dogs with flat faces) are at increased risk of sleep apnea. In these cases, vets may recommend a surgical procedure to widen the nostrils or remove extra tissue from their soft palate to reduce the occurrence of future episodes.
Dogs are mammals just like humans — it’s only natural that they’d need a good night’s sleep to stay healthy, happy, and full of energy. Set them up for success by getting a comfortable round dog bed, and make sure they’re getting enough physical activity during the day to get them nice and tired come bedtime. If you think your dog is suffering from a sleep disorder, take them to a vet right away. It may require a little extra work on your part, but trust us: you’ll sleep better knowing they can, too.
Frequently asked questions
What are the symptoms of REM sleep disorder in dogs?
REM sleep disorder is a rare but serious condition characterized by sudden, erratic movements and behaviors while your dog is sleeping. Common signs can include violent limb movements, growling, howling, barking, chewing, and biting. Symptoms can occur at night or during daytime naps, and in some cases can result in injury to the dog and others as a result of the intense movement.
How do you treat sleep deprivation in dogs?
Insomnia in dogs can be managed through medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of the two. Vets commonly prescribe sedatives, including trazodone, clorazepate, alprazolam, flurazepam, and clonazepam, to dogs with insomnia. Over-the-counter supplements, including valerian, kava, and melatonin, can also be effective. Increasing the amount of daytime activity your dog gets can help them burn off excess energy and foster better sleep throughout the night.
What causes REM sleep disorder in dogs?
REM sleep disorder can be caused by several different factors. Many cases are congenital, with most dogs experiencing their first episode within the first year of their life. Other cases occur with the onset of another condition, especially tetanus. In these instances, the disorder may resolve if treated to resolve the underlying issue, but most dogs with REM sleep disorder require lifelong management for their symptoms.
How do you naturally treat a dog with sleep apnea?
Treatment for sleep apnea ultimately depends on the underlying cause. If allergies are the culprit, treatment can be as simple as removing the offending allergen from their surroundings. In weight-related cases, you can help your dog breathe easier using a combination of a strict diet and increased exercise. Dogs whose sleep apnea is caused by natural obstructions, such as brachycephalic breeds, may require surgery to help prevent future episodes. In these cases, you cannot “naturally” treat the condition at home.
