Common Sleep Disorders in Dogs
Posted on February 3, 2021 by paigepesko
One of the most challenging parts of training a puppy is the lack of sleep. However, your dog may not be sleeping because they suffer from a common sleep disorder. Read more about these ailments below and how you can ease the burden. That way, everyone can catch some Zs at night.
Sleep Apnea
Flat-nosed dogs like Boston Terriers may suffer from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea means there is too much fat obstructing the dog’s airway for them to get a good night’s sleep. If you own a flat-nosed dog, speak to your veterinarian about alleviating the symptoms, such as waking up throughout the night. If your pup isn’t flat-nosed, they may still get sleep apnea if they’re overweight. So, you can try to make them feel better by:
- Starting them on healthier dog food so they can lose some weight.
- Exercise with them more often to alleviate obesity.
Narcolepsy
Another common sleep disorder in dogs is narcolepsy. Young puppies often experience narcolepsy. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease. However, you can alleviate symptoms of this brain disorder by comforting your dog as they’re falling asleep. Essentially, their brains get mixed signals that cause them to fall asleep at a moment’s notice. You can’t prevent them from falling asleep, but you can help them wake up peacefully, so they aren’t startled with a jolt.
REM Behavior Disorder
Did you know dogs can sleepwalk? In fact, some pups who have REM behavior disorder can even sleep play. If you notice your dog is acting wild in its slumber, speak to a veterinarian right away. These professionals will be able to give you medicine that gets rid of the symptoms so that your dog can get the good night’s rest it needs.
These are just a few of the common sleep disorders in dogs to watch out for. After all, when your furry friend doesn’t get any sleep, neither do you. So, do your best to make their sleeping spaces as comfortable as possible. Buy a luxurious dog bed and a chew proof dog crate pad from Gorilla Dog Beds today. You’ll have peace of mind knowing the crate pad will never rip, and your pup we’ll be able to chew it when they’re anxious.