Among the most common sleep disorders in dogs we find the insomnia. Unlike people, they do not suffer insomnia chronic, but it can occur due to some physical or psychological factors. This problem seriously affects your health, causing symptoms such as anxiety or apathy. Therefore, it is important that we find out the cause and act quickly.
It is estimated that a healthy middle-aged dog sleeps about ten hours at night, although it also rests for a few hours during the day while remaining in a waking state. However, there are some factors that can alter your sleep cycle. One of them is the pain caused by a health problem, such as osteoarthritis. For this reason, it is advisable that we go frequently to the veterinarian to be aware of the animal's health.
La lack of exercise it is also a common cause. A too sedentary life will make the dog not feel the need to rest long hours at night. The solution is based on making the dog walk three times a day, encouraging him to walk and balance his energy.
Another common case is improper feeding. Heavy meals cause difficult digestion, as well as pain and a strong feeling of discomfort. If we notice that our dog does not sleep well, it is best to review the doses of food that we offer him daily, especially at dinner time.
Age it is also a key factor. Puppies generally sleep less time due to their high energy level, which is not a problem if they acquire a proper rest routine upon reaching maturity. On the contrary, elderly dogs can also suffer from sleep disturbances for various reasons; among them, the lack of bladder control.
We can carry out some simple measures to help our pet to fall asleep, such as providing a comfortable and soft bed for her, giving her massages before sleeping or playing soft music (the sound of the piano and the harp is said to relax dogs). If we see that the problem continues, it will be necessary to seek the help of a professional.