Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in dogs. It is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Dogs with insomnia may pace, whine, bark, or act confused at night.
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden muscle weakness. Dogs with narcolepsy may collapse to the ground and fall asleep without warning.
Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that causes brief pauses in breathing during sleep. Dogs with sleep apnea may snore loudly or wheeze. They may also wake up gasping for air.
REM sleep behavior disorder is a sleep disorder that causes people to act out their dreams. Dogs with REM sleep behavior disorder may bark, growl, or snap at the air while they are sleeping.
If you notice any of the following signs in your dog, they may have a sleep disorder:Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, Excessive daytime sleepiness,Snoring loudly or wheezing.
Treatment for sleep disorders in dogs will vary depending on the underlying cause. For example, dogs with insomnia may be treated with medication or behavior modification therapy.
If you notice any signs of a sleep disorder in your dog, be sure to take them to the veterinarian for a diagnosis. With proper treatment, most sleep disorders in dogs can be managed successfully.