It’s nighttime. And while you can’t wait to go to sleep, your dog has other ideas.
They go bananas! Running in circles faster than a fury. Then they emit a bark or two. After that, they bite on something.
They act as if they’re possessed. And whatever you try to calm them down, nothing works.
You might be wondering if this is just a phase. Or if it’s a cause for concern.
Goes back and forth in your room as if waiting for you to
Don’t worry!
In this article you’ll discover:
- Why your dog goes crazy at night.
- How to get them to calm down at night.
- What is zooming and things to consider while they zoom.
- And a lot more…
Why does my dog go crazy at night?
The primary reason why your dog goes crazy at night is due to their stored energy for the day. Other causes may be due to fear, improper diet, separation anxiety, pain or injury, and wanting to pee. Oftentimes, this is just a normal behavior among pooches.
7 reasons why your dog goes crazy at night
#1: Excess stored energy
You must have told your dog, “Time to sleep!” And you see them dashing in circles as if wanting to play still.
This may be a sign that they lack exercise or physical and mental stimulation.
This behavior, also known as zoomies, is typical among your pooches during certain times of day like when getting up in the morning and before bedtime.
Check this video to get a clearer picture of a dog doing zoomies:
Exhibiting zoomies are more common for the younger dogs. While adult dogs go through them as well occasionally.
Such energy explosions are also called “Frenetic Random Activity Period” or FRAP. It is usually observed in dogs who are placed in dog crates or those who have a sedentary lifestyle.
Like their human companions, your pooches also need daily walks and exercise for them to be healthy and live a long life.
They, too, need physical stimulation from time to time to end boredom and avoid getting crazy!
Warning: Too much energy may cause greater harm when you have a lot of dogs seeking exercise or attention. If your pooch is unable to release it or if they are bored for a long time, they can be destructive.
Or worse, they are more likely to get agitated by other dogs.
Oh no! This smells of chaos!
What to consider while they zoom? 3 factors
Though zoomies are mostly ordinary behaviors shown by dogs. It rarely causes an area of health concern, but it is still best to observe the following factors to be safe.
Obstacles
Keep your pooch safe while zooming.
Remove any obstacle that can hurt them while circling and dashing back and forth.
Better to let them enjoy playing in a lawn or enclosed yard than in your living room. To avoid hitting furniture and other objects.
Frequency
Watch and observe how often your dog zooms.
Though it is a usual activity for them since it allows them to enjoy and release excitement. Frequent FRAPs, especially among aging dogs, are quite uncommon.
Seek professional help if you notice some changes in their eating or sleeping habits.
Overall physique
You can see from the stature of a happy dog that they are excitingly releasing their stored energy. You’ll notice their wagging tail and enthusiastic disposition.
But if your dog is zooming uncontrollably for longer periods. That is above 15 minutes, or if you see them nearly collapsing, stop for a while. Let them rest first and have normal heart rate function.
Read next: Why is my dog freaking out at night?
#2: Fear
Every New Year’s Eve is considered “Halloween” for our dogs.
Have you noticed them either barking loudly or snuggling in a little corner unable to eat?
Some even express panic attacks and resort to trembling or intense door scratching. Hoping their Mom and Dad will notice and let them in for them to experience peace.
Another moment of fear is during stormy or typhoon weather.
The strong gust of wind coupled with heavy rains is often an unpleasant situation for your dogs. You can expect them to act crazy or bark aggressively to counter its noise.
Beware! They may even forcefully get through your door if the heavy rain persists.
This behavior which makes them look crazy is due to our pooches’ intense hearing ability. A dog’s sense of hearing is 4x more sensitive than ours.
So, imagine how it hurts their floppy ears as they tolerate those loud noises outside.
#3: Improper diet
In humans, an intake of sugar and caffeine can awaken our senses.
For our pets, protein, carbohydrates, and starches are some reasons behind their excited and aggressive behavior.
Proteins help in muscle-building, maintaining a healthy coat, and producing enzymes needed by the body. They are also great sources of energy (like carbohydrates).
True, your pooch might be enjoying their meal time and it is also your bonding moment.
Studies also show an increasing number of pet owners who give homemade food to their dogs since they have control over the ingredients.
However, several types of research suggest that by feeding homemade food, your dog might not be getting the proper amount of nutrients.
Either your pets have deficiencies in calcium, zinc, copper, choline, vitamins D and E, or they are high in protein.
Although beef, chicken, or fish meat are healthy protein sources that are recommended for our pooches, we might be giving them a lot. Offer them appropriate amounts of food based on their body weight.
For example, a medium-sized pooch should only eat 2 ⅔ cups in a day equal to 1,145 calories.
As parents or guardians, we must ensure that we don’t overfeed or underfeed them.
Balanced feeding prevents them to be obese. It also keeps them from having the following illnesses:
- Cancer.
- Heart failure.
- Skin irritations.
- Breathing difficulty.
- Musculoskeletal problems (intervertebral disk disease, ligament or joint problems).
#4: Separation anxiety
“Mom, are you sure you’re leaving me here? I want to sleep in your room too!”
In some cases, your dogs become anxious if they are placed outside or are not in the same vicinity where you are sleeping.
Dogs are human’s oldest companions and they always want to be next to you.
Leaving them alone makes them anxious and uncomfortable. So, if you can, try to train them by leaving them for a moment and eventually for longer periods.
You might also want to know: 17 reasons why your dog is clingy all of a sudden
#5: Pain or injury
“Help! I need you, Mom and Dad!”
Have you heard your dogs cry?
You will notice the difference in their voice when they are in pain, or they are unwell. Normally, instead of a loud bark, you will hear them crying and whining.
Sometimes, they are like us, when we are in deep physical or emotional pain. We tend to cry or shout to ask for help or release our emotions.
Pay attention to how they communicate with you. Check to see if they have swelling or a wound, or if they have trouble walking or eating.
Warning: Below are signs that your pooch may be in pain:
- Circling.
- Agitation.
- Restlessness.
- Abnormal tail position.
- Abnormal body posture.
- Guarding the painful area.
- May ignore environmental stimuli.
- May bite, lick, or chew a painful area.
- Delirious (head tilting, falling to one side).
- Lethargic (uninterested in playing, walking).
- Lameness (sprain, joint injury, bone fracture).
- Anorexia (decreased appetite or food intake).
- Excessive vocalization (yelping, whining, growling).
- Eyes are wide open with dilated pupils or closed with dull appearance.
- May be aggressive or resist handling or may be more shy but seek increased contact with owners or caregivers.
#6: Wanting to pee
“Let me out, please!”
Sometimes, dogs couldn’t help it as they needed to go and pee. This behavior of acting crazy can be observed since they can’t wait for you anymore to walk them out.
You can frequently see it on puppies who are being “potty trained”. But your older pooches may also display this behavior since they find it difficult to hold their pee.
They act crazy to get your attention.
You might also be interested in: Why does my dog lick me in the morning?
#7: Trouble sleeping
Our pooches also need a suitable sleeping environment to rest.
If it’s chilly or hot, too noisy, or if there are lots of people in your neighbor’s house. Chances are, it would be terrible for them to sleep.
Warning: In rare cases, your dogs might also suffer from insomnia brought by health concerns. Regularly observe your dog. Check for physical injuries (like arthritis), itching (from ticks and fleas), or frequent urination (a sign of kidney problem).
Provide them with a comfortable sleeping environment by giving them mats or blankets when it’s chilly, or a fan when it’s hot.
As for your neighbor? Nah. Just wait for them to go separate ways. They will, eventually.
BONUS: You are encouraging it
Our beloved pooches are simply smart and adorable.
So, whenever you play with them while they are in their “crazy state”, they will truly love it.
After all, they crave your affection! They might still have tons of energy for a brief, pre-bedtime exercise.
Playing fetch before bedtime? Your pooch will eventually remember this trick once you fall into their trap!
How do I get my dog to calm down at night? 5 tips
#1: Take them out for a walk
Allow them to release their stored energy by walking or playing fetch at the park. By physical stimulation, you also prevent a ruckus among your pooches at home.
If they are confined in a small space during the day, say in their cage or doghouse, give them time to run freely. So, they wouldn’t have terrible energy at night.
Exercise is still the best way to promote good health for your pooch. It is also a way to bond with them after you’ve been busy the whole day.
Give them the playtime and affection they deserve for having them wait for you.
It is best to form habits of eating, exercise, and sleep while they are young.
Time flies and your dog ages faster than you do. Before you know it, they are already having trouble walking.
You may have different circles of friends, immediate and extended family. But all your dog has is you.
Come on! Grab that leash.
Let them explore the nearby park while they are young, wild, and free from pain.
#2: Regulate what they eat
Remember how too much of something is bad enough?
I know all you want is to keep your dog’s tummy full. And who can resist those puppy eyes when asking for your leftovers?
Your dog does not know what food is good or bad for them.
So lucky you! ‘Cause you know what they should avoid and how you can keep them healthy.
Regulate their food intake. Primarily the protein, sugar, and carbohydrates to minimize their hyperactive behavior.
A study also reveals how a change to a low-protein diet decreased aggression and hyperactivity in dogs.
Regularly check the progress of your dog in exhibiting calmness based on the amount of food you give them.
#3: Engage them in desensitization training
This approach may be tried to overcome your dog’s fear of loud noises to help them stay calm at night.
Desensitization is done to change your pet’s undesirable reaction to a positive behavior.
By continuously exposing them to a stimulus at regular time intervals, they become more common to it, say certain loud noises. Desensitizing safely exposes your pooch to a stimulus to eliminate their fear.
This way, you and your pooch can arrive at a threshold. As they express little negative reaction to the stimulus that once bothers them.
#4: Practice leaving them alone little-by-little
To relieve them from their separation anxiety, try leaving them alone shortly at first. Then, gradually increase the time intervals.
Practice positive reinforcement techniques every time they overcome anxiety. Give them their favorite treat. You can also increase your play or cuddle time as their reward (and to make it up to them).
This way, they get used to not having you around for longer periods, including during their sleeping time.
#5: Bring them to a vet
When you notice that your dog is exhibiting uncommon behaviors like a loud cry, or if you see them in pain, or persistently scratching take them to the vet.
A loud cry usually accompanied by whining tells you that something is causing them discomfort. This may be due to a physical injury or internal body pains.
As fur parents, we usually know when something is wrong with our pooch. Signs like a lack of appetite or a sudden loss of energy may imply a possible visit to your vet.
Sometimes, your dog being crazy at night is a result of stress caused by skin problems.
Persistent scratching, resulting in skin irritation from ticks, fleas, and mites, or being rat-tailed may suggest more underlying health concerns.
Be ready with your dog’s observations and previous health conditions. As certain tests will be conducted to properly assess their overall health.