Older dog wandering at night

[KangarooKenny]

Anyone got a dog that wanders in the night, and what do you do about it ?

In an elderly dog, it could be a sign of cognitive decline.

Have a look at this list and see if anything else sounds familier: www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/neurological/c_dg_cognitive_dysfunction_syndrome

There are some medications that can help with decline so it's worth speaking to your vet. Otherwise, it's often just a case of managing the dog and home so that s/he's as safe and happy as possible.

How old?
Often a sign of dementia. My old girl used to get very restless in the evening.

Only 10 and a toy breed, so not old really.

As others have said, it can be a sign of cognitive decline (CCD) but also older dogs can start being restless because of other things eg arthritis meaning they can’t get comfortable, so need to keep moving to a new spot, starting to feel the cold at night, etc.

In the first instance would book them in for a check-up with the vet. If there’s no sign of any pain or other health issues it’s worth trying Zylkene and/or Aktivait supplements. Zylkene is derived from milk proteins and is an anti-anxiety supplement, Aktivait is specifically designed to support brain function in geriatric dogs (although unfortunately they have changed the formula quite drastically recently and I’m not convinced by the new formulation). Both were recommended by my vet and really helped my old boy when he started night wandering - we started him on Aktivait initially and added in Zylkene when it was clear there was some night anxiety involved.

Our border collie started to do this a year ago. He freezes in one place as well, always the same place. He also started to bark at night for no reason. I have to sleep downstairs with him. He is now nearly 11.
He is on Yucalm and Zylkene which has helped. Aktivait didn't help at all. He does have arthritis but has librela injections once a month.

Could the dog be cold? It is a bit chillier at night now.

I don’t think she’s cold, I’ve found her lying on the floor when she could be on a warm bed.

We have a toy,he's almost 17, cataracts and now diagnosis of dementia. He doesn't just wander,he howls now. Started about a year ago, frantically barking in the night. He has no arthritis,no other health issues,eats like a horse, enjoying walks,very pleased to see anyone coming. We get up and sit with him,DH stays on the sofa,I go back to bed after around an hour,I can't sleep on the sofa. He's now started to stop dead,stare into space and pace around in the day.

Our cocker is almost 10 and has just started crying at night, she has always slept in the kitchen and loves her bed in there, will take herself happily there in the evening for an hour or 2 before bed but as soon as we shut the gate and go to bed (as we have always done) she starts to cry and pace. This is the 4th night in a row and apart from going to her and sleeping on the sofa with her in the lounge I’m not sure what else to do to help her?

I lost my boy today, and one of his many ailments was canine cognitive dysfunction, aka dog dementia.

I highly recommend getting your vet to prescribe selgian. It made a massive difference. Also gabapentin

@NantsIngonyamaBagithiBaba sorry for your loss

I'm so sorry to hear what you are all going through. Could I ask, those of you with dogs that have been diagnosed with CCD, how did the vet diagnose them? Is there a blood test or was it based on the symptoms they were displaying? My dog has been very restless at night recently (over the past week or so) - she's only 9 and a half. I will book an appointment with the vet if it continues.

My dogs always been like this sleeps in day even with lots of noise then decides to get up at night and do random things to wake us up, def has been getting worse as she got older tho 🤔

No blood tests as far as l know. They just rule out any other medical problems. They just ask you questions and go from there. As l mentioned our border collie suddenly started barking at night and wouldn't settle. He often stands in one position as if frozen until l can get him to move.
I have been sleeping downstairs with him since September 2021. He is on Yucalm and zylkene this helps most of the time. Some nights though he will wake me up at 2 hour intervals for a stroke or a walk outside.
He is also riddled with arthritis and is now on Tramadol as well as his monthly Librela injections. He is 12 now and I am just happy to have him with us. I don't know how l will find the strength to say goodbye to him.

@Bordercolliesarebest1 your dog is very lucky to have you.

No blood tests,, just went by the symptoms and his behaviour. Course 9 would be pretty old for a big breed.

We have a 13 year old lab that I'm sure has dementia. He doesn't wander at night but does have other symptoms. For example he
barks repeatedly if he's left alone (eg if he wakes up and I've gone into the kitchen)
He also stares at me a lot - sometimes with a slightly aggressive expression, which softens completely when I speak to him.
I just hope he sees out the rest of his natural life without it progressing too much.