It’s difficult to know whether or not your fur baby is getting the right amount of ZZZs. Most pet parents feel that their fur kids sleep too much, but have you noticed your pup or kitty-cat restless and fidgety every night causing them to be grumpy or moody the next day?
If that sounds familiar, then you’ve come to the right place.
It’s better for everyone when our pets sleep when we do but that isn’t always the case; here’s why.
Why your fur baby isn’t sleeping at night
There are various reasons why your furry friend is up and about at night. Some of the most common reasons are:
- They’re on guard to ensure you and your family’s safety.
- They’re elderly and are confused at night (similar to humans with dementia).
- They haven’t developed proper sleeping habits.
- They feel lonely.
- Or they are simply crepuscular — which meas that they are most active at dawn and dusk.
Simple ways to help your pet sleep better
-
Create a calming environment
If your pet, especially your pooch is prone to staying on guard, making sure they keep their family safe, try to create a calm environment.
Make sure all blinds or curtains around them are closed so that they aren’t able to see if any bats are flying around outside (yes, as terrifying as this sounds, it happens more often than you think).
You could also play some white noise in the background to drone out any sounds like cars, other dogs barking or cats meowing in the distance.
-
Enforce better habits
Just like human children, fur kids need routine. Try to get them ready for bed every night by taking them out to do their business, get them to bed at a similar time every night, and make sure they have their own bed to sleep in. (This works for cats too!)
We all absolutely adore falling asleep cuddled up to our precious pets but this can cause disturbances for both you and your fur kid. They might even enjoy sleeping on their own fancy beds next to your bed.
-
Give them their own sleep zone
As we said above, your pet needs their own space. Buy your fur kid a super comfy bed or a super cosy blanket that they can sleep on.
Create a dedicated space for them where they know they can relax.
-
Play with them in the evening
Burn off some of the extra energy in the evening by playing with your pets before bed. Play fetch with your doggos or even your cat.
Get mobile toys or strings that you can entice your kitty to play with to keep them occupied.
-
Possibly take them to the vet
If you’ve done everything you possibly can to help your pet sleep soundly every night but the tips and tricks aren’t working, it might be time to visit a vet.
In the same way that humans can struggle with health issues that keep them from sleeping, your fur baby can too. Your trusty vet may be able to find a medical reason for your pet’s insomnia and recommend some great remedies.
-
Stick to your guns
If your pet is barking or scratching at you to wake up super early because they’ve decided that 3 am is the perfect time for a late-night snack — don’t do it.
We repeat: Don’t do it!
Your fur baby is supersmart. They have mastered the art of getting what they want when they want. They know that if they bug you long enough, you’re going to give in and give them something to eat or play with them.
Your fur baby will eventually develop the habit of bothering you until you wake up and give them what they want. By ignoring them, you won’t reinforce this bad behaviour.
Is sleep really that important for my pet?
It’s not like your pet must head out every morning for their 9 to 5 job, so why does a lack of sleep matter?
While the average human needs about 7 – 8 hours of sleep every night, your fur kids need far more than that. On average dogs need about 8 – 14 hours of sleep every day and cats need about 12 – 16 hours.
Making sure your pets get enough sleep means they’ll be far friendlier, less aggressive and have more energy. By ensuring your fur kid gets enough shut-eye will also ensure that they will be healthier and happier.
Try these tips the next time you’re concerned your pet just isn’t sleeping enough.
Sleep sweet!
