Dogs are a part of our family and we always want to see them happy. It feels bad to wake in the middle of the night only to find your Fido pacing anxiously when you expect him to be snoring in his bed. You have to come up with a way(s) of calming him so he can go back to sleep but you have no clue how. No more worries because this article got you covered.
You can calm your dog by giving him a massage, providing a cuddle toy, cuddling, taking him for a potty break, or providing a comfortable bed. Buying your dog calming shirts and coats, providing him with natural anti-anxiety relief, and allowing him to sleep lose by can be of great help to an anxious dog.
How To Calm An Anxious Dog At Night- 11 Tips
Give Him A Massage
The same way a massage calms us after a stressful day, it will calm your anxious dog. Anxiety in dogs is at times caused by tensing of muscles and massage helps to release the tension.
You will have to massage the whole body before you identify the tensed area so you can fully concentrate on it.
Comfortable Bed
The reason why we have warm blankets and a cozy mattress is to have comfortability in our sleep. The same is required for our dogs.
Making his bed with the best beddings can make him enjoy his sleep.
If you consult your vet, he can recommend the best beds for dogs with anxiety. These beds are made with a design to allow your dog to sleep in their desired style.
Provide A Cuddle Toy
If your dog does not have a cuddle toy that is associated with sleep alone, it’s time you bought him one.
A cuddle toy will help him to reduce anxiety especially if he is suffering from separation anxiety.
Just as babies find it easier for them to sleep with their dolls around, the cuddle toy will give your dog great company.
Exercise Your Dog
Staying with your dog 24/7 is the best way you can heal separation anxiety but that is impossible because we have other duties to attend to other than our dogs. Therefore, using exercise to tire out your pet and strengthen your bond is frequently a simple solution! Taking your dog for a long walk or other physical exercises can help in bonding and reducing anxiety.
Exercises also help a dog in relieving stress by releasing endorphin hormones.
Cuddles
Apart from massaging your anxious dog, cuddles can be of great help. Rubbing his belly and petting him for lengthy periods is also important to an anxious dog.
Take Him to a Vet
A dog can pace anxiously in the house when he is in pain. You should measure his temperatures to ensure he does not have a fever, and check whether there is something stuck in his paws, or has a wound.
Because a dog cannot speak to express his pain, he will look anxious, stressed, and can pant as well.
Calling or visiting your vet will be the best option when your dog is in pain.
Take Him For A Potty Break
A dog can be anxious when he needs to use the potty area but he cannot access it.
Dogs do not like spoiling their sleeping area as they consider it as their den. They will pace around the house and might even scratch your door to get your attention. Ensuring that your dog relieves himself before bedtime will help with the situation.
Having a scheduled feeding program will also help you estimate the next time he will go for a potty break.
If your dog has accidents in the house at night, he will be more anxious because he knows he is in the wrong.
Read this guide on why your potty-trained dog is having accidents and what you can do about it.
Natural Anti-Anxiety Relief
Numerous organic anti-anxiety remedies have relaxing properties and can assist in calming your dog at night. Natural and secure anti-anxiety remedies with relaxing benefits include essential oils, pheromone diffusers, and collars.
Calming t-shirts and coats
Similar to how a baby would be swaddled, calming coats and t-shirts exert modest, consistent pressure on a dog’s torso. They are recommended for dogs who experience any kind of anxiety brought on by travel, separation, loudness, or anxiety around strangers.
There are various brands and models available depending on the size of your dog.
Allow your dog to sleep close by.
I had stated that dogs would like to sleep in the safest and coziest places possible. Allowing your dog to sleep close to you is thus one method to lessen anxiety.
It does not imply that you should allow them to sleep in your room or on your bed. Dogs who sleep on the bed or in the room experience worse separation anxiety when they get old and are denied that privilege. Therefore, just letting them sleep nearby will greatly aid in easing their separation anxiety.
Conclusion
Calming an anxious dog requires you to know the reason behind the anxiety first. The above-mentioned ways of calming an anxious dog at night will help your dog relax and sleep peacefully.
Punishing your dog after an accident at night will make him more anxious and it won’t solve the problem. Take your dog to a vet if he is anxious because of pain or fever.
