Is your senior dog falling asleep standing up?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Is your senior dog falling asleep standing up?“.

We all know that dogs tend to fall asleep in strange positions but what does it mean when your senior dog falls asleep standing up? I can imagine you are feeling all kinds of confusing emotions if your old friend has been falling asleep while standing up.

Especially if you have never seen them do this before. You’ll be relieved to learn that many dogs do this. But by now you’re probably wondering why is my dog falling asleep standing up and should I be concerned?

If a senior dog sleeps standing up this can be due to a number of different reasons such as a change in sleeping arrangement or an underlying medical condition. If you consider all the possible causes try to stay calm and remember that there is always something you can do to make your old dog feel better.

What’s your dog’s history?

Are they showing this sort of behavior because they have a history that might explain it?

Could your friend have been abused in a recent home? Even dogs who have been abused in the past can still display the behaviors they were taught. When your dog was forced to sleep standing up it will still show this behavior in its new home as they were conditioned to do so.

It is important to try to understand the cause of your four-legged friends behavior before making plans for helping them sleep better. If you would like to help your dog sleep better you may wish to consult a dog behaviorist.

Have you changed anything in your house?

Dogs are very tuned into their emotions so if they are upset they will display unusual behavior such as sleeping while standing up. Did you make any changes in your home that your dog might not be happy with?

You may have changed your dogs sleeping arrangement which may explain they’re strange behavior. Could your four-legged friend be trying to tell you they do not like their new sleeping arrangements? Then simply move their bed to the place where they liked it most.

Should you take your old dog to the vet?

Standing up your senior dog falls asleep. You have never seen them do this before. Its no surprise that you’re wondering whether this warrants a visit to the vet.

As I mentioned previously there are many reasons why your dog could be behaving this way. If your dogs sleeping habits have changed significantly you need to note this when deciding what the cause could be. Do you notice your senior dog is sleeping more or less than usual? You may also want to document his behavior. By documenting your dogs behavior you can provide your veterinarian with a visual representation of what your dog is doing which may help him or her to diagnose your senior dogs condition more quickly.

So should you visit the vet?

Consult your vet if you believe your dog is in pain and get an appointment to rule out any underlying health issues. 

The following medical conditions may cause your dog to exhibit this type of behavior: hypothyroidism dementia arthritis and hip dysplasia.

Could your dog have arthritis?

Dogs age in the same way that we do. As we know aging can be a difficult process which is why it is so important for you to look out for any changes your old dog might be showing. There is a possibility that your friend is telling you they do not feel well and that the simple act of lying down suddenly seems difficult. This could be a sign that your dog has arthritis if they are suddenly having trouble lying down.

Arthritic dogs may sleep standing up because lying down hurts their joints too much. In addition to falling asleep standing up you may experience: Limping or limpness wariness of you touching them tiredness irritability and groaning.

Contact your vet if you believe your dog could be suffering from arthritis so that you can set up a plan that can help your pet. You could also help your dog feel better while they are at home by taking the following steps.

Walk your old dog every day for a few minutes. An increased exercise routine for your senior dog may reduce stiffness in their joints. You might also consider your dogs sleeping arrangements. Giving them a choice in bedding can help keep their joints healthy.

If you would like to learn more about what you can do to help your dog when they’re at home visit: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/taking-care-of-your-pet/pet-health-hub/conditions/arthritis-in-dogs

Could your dog have Hypothyroidism?

Do you think your dog might have hypothyroidism?

Senior dogs are commonly affected by hypothyroidism which causes them to feel excessively sluggish. Having an overweight dog could be another sign that its thyroid is malfunctioning. 

You should take your dog to the vet if you think it may be hypothyroid. Its crucial you take this step because hypothyroidism in dogs is dangerous if left untreated.

Signs of dementia in your dog

The cognitive abilities of dogs can be severely impaired when they have dementia. Changes in behavior towards family members disorientation and accidents may indicate your dog is experiencing cognitive decline along with changes in sleeping habits.

How many of these symptoms have you noticed in your old dog?

Whenever you notice any of these changes in your friend you should take notes and contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Could your dog have hip dysplasia?

The development of hip dysplasia is another sign that your dog is aging. It is most common in larger breeds.

Hip dysplasia symptoms include a narrow stance decreased range of motion looseness in the joint and grating in the joint when moving. You should contact your vet if you suspect your dog has hip dysplasia so they can get the treatment they need to sleep better.

What can you do to help your senior dog?

In the event your dog is overweight and you suspect they have hip dysplasia help them lose weight. A weight loss program can help your old dogs hip joints by removing any extra strain. You can also restrict their exercise so that their joints are not put under extra strain. More information about hip dysplasia in dogs can be found at: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/hip-dyspacia-in-dogs

Senior dogs aging

Many things can change as our dogs age. One of the most common signs of aging in your dog is changes in their sleeping patterns. When a dog begins to age we need to be aware of the changes their bodies are going through and what we can expect.

I’m sure you clicked on this research to better understand why your senior dog is sleeping while standing up but I’m sure you also have other questions regarding your dogs sleeping habits.

Is it because my old dog sleeps so deeply?

During their sleep cycle dogs also enter a stage called “REM”. Its important to keep an eye on your dog if they are sleeping deeper than usual as this could mean they are extremely exhausted. As well as paying attention to your dogs sleeping habits you should also take note of his behavior to determine if it requires a vet visit.

How much does a senior dog sleep?

Even when they’re puppies dogs sleep a lot which is probably not surprising to you. However how much sleep should a senior dog get? When dogs age they become more tired as you can imagine. An old dog may sleep between 14 and 20 hours a day. If you believe your dogs sleeping habits are abnormal you should contact your veterinarian for advice.

The most important thing to take away from this research is that your dogs unusual behavior can sometimes be a good indication of their mood. We do not like to see our dogs act strangely but it can help us to understand them a little better.

Conclusion

In the introduction of this research I stated that many dogs sleep while they are standing. Yet I want to emphasize that this is not necessarily the case for your dog. You should take your senior dog to the vet or ask for some advice if you think something isnot right.

Theres a lot of work involved in ensuring your senior dog lives long and happily. Changing some things around your house can make their pain more manageable and help you keep your dog happy.

If you want to read more about dog health tips read here: Dog Health Tips and Tricks.

Is your senior dog falling asleep standing up? (Watch Video)