QUESTION
Our 10-year-old spaniel, Lacey, has lately been keeping us up at night by whining and acting anxious. We do not wish to give her drugs. Can you suggest any alternatives?
ANSWER
Just like people, pets can have problems sleeping through the night. Generally, though, insomnia is not common in pets. Most cats and dogs sleep well, and once they are used to a routine will have no issues sleeping. It’s therefore vital to investigate if your pet suddenly develops insomnia or wakefulness at night.
Signs include moving from room to room or pacing around without settling, getting anxious when the lights are switched off at night and waking up in the early hours and demanding food. The most disturbing scenario is when a pet starts vocalizing at night—barking, meowing or howling—which can cause stress for the whole family.
Certain medical conditions can cause your pet to have trouble sleeping. Cats with hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) are well known to be wakeful and vocal at nighttime as they have a very high metabolic rate, and this can keep them on edge and make them hungry.
Similarly, diabetic dogs and cats get hungry or thirsty at night and may also feel an urgent need to urinate.
Conditions that cause pain, such as arthritis or urinary tract infections, can also keep your pet awake at night. Additionally, senile dementia or aging can cause sleep disturbances, as can poor vision, which can be scary for pets, leading them to be wakeful in the dark.
Strange noises in the house, thunder, fireworks and any other sources of stress can trigger insomnia. Even just watching TV late at night in the room where your pet sleeps, or being on your phone, can affect your pet’s sleep-wake cycle, as many pets sync with their owners.
Usually, your vet will make a diagnosis based on your pet’s symptoms and history, but sometimes additional diagnostics, such as blood tests to rule out conditions like diabetes and hyperthyroidism, urinalysis to rule out a urinary tract infection, or X-rays to check for arthritis, may be needed. If your vet suspects a brain lesion, then a neurological exam and an MRI may be recommended.
In addition to treating any underlying conditions your vet may diagnose, there are many natural strategies you can try to help your pet—and the rest of your family—get a good night’s sleep.
Diet
Just like babies, pets tend to sleep better when they have a full stomach. Feeding your pet a full meal later in the night, high in carbs such as oatmeal, can give them a restful sleep. Raw or scrambled eggs or oily food with some butter can also help with sleep.
Exercise
Some pets, especially dogs, will sleep better if they have had a good long walk, as this exhausts them. Playing with your pet or training them can also help to tire them out.
Environment
Your pet’s bed and its location can make a difference. Some pets need warmth to sleep well, while others need a cooler spot. Observe your pet to see if they run hot or cold and set the room temperature accordingly. If your pet’s bed is too close to a radiator or a cold outside wall, move it to a comfortable place.
Position the bed away from electronic devices, appliances, TVs, modems, etc. The frequencies and light can really mess with your pet’s sleep cycle.
Arthritic dogs, especially large breeds, need a good orthopedic bed so their joints don’t hurt when they lie down.
Cats like peace and quiet, so they should be provided with a secluded space if there are noisy children in the house.
Relaxing music may be helpful for some animals, as well as anxiety wraps like ThunderShirt, which work in a similar way to swaddling for babies.
Herbs
Chamomile and valerian are helpful herbs to promote restful sleep. Valerian can be used as a tincture; simply add a few drops to your pet’s water or pop it straight in their mouth. Chamomile can be given as a tea at bedtime.
CBD
I have had good results with CBD products in helping pets sleep better. If you live in the US, check out CBD Dog Health (www.cbddoghealth.com) for products designed to alleviate pain and induce better sleep. Ease oil is best for arthritic pets, while Calm oil is good for anxious pets.
In the UK, there are no CBD products authorized for use in pets, but your vet may be able to prescribe a human CBD product for your pet if you are interested in trying one out.
Bach Flower Remedies
Bach Rescue Remedy Pet, an alcohol-free blend of rock rose (Helianthemum nummularium), clematis (Clematis vitalba), impatiens (Impatiens glandulifera), cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera) and Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) flower essences, can be helpful for stressed out pets. Rub it on your pet’s gums or add it to their water.
Essential oils
Calm-a-mile from Animal EO, made up of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile), blue cypress (Callitris intratropica), frankincense (Boswellia carterii), clary sage (Salvea sclarea) and ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oils, can help your pet sleep better. It’s not available in the UK, though. Use the ‘rain drop’ method and drizzle a couple of drops onto your pet’s back.
Melatonin
Melatonin supplements can be effective for promoting sleep, although it’s a prescription-only medicine in the UK. In the US, try Pet Melatonin for Dogs by Pet Wellbeing, or Quiet Moments Dog Calming Aid Soft Chews Plus Melatonin by NaturVet. In the UK, a similar product but without the melatonin is available from Overby Farm (Quite Moments Dog Calming Aid Soft Chews Plus Ginger). Follow the dosage instructions on the labels.
Pheromone therapy
Although not strictly natural, pheromone-based products, such as those by Adaptil (for dogs) and Feliway (for cats) can be beneficial.
Massage
Gently stroke the inside of your pet’s back feet, just above the paws, in an up-and-down motion to help them relax.
Animal healing/pet Reiki
Energy healing techniques such as pet Reiki can be helpful, especially in older or anxious pets. A trained healer can work on relaxing your pet to help them sleep better.
Homeopathy
HomeoPet Anxiety Relief is a commercial homeopathic product designed to relieve anxiety and promote better sleep. It’s suitable for dogs and cats.
Rohini Sathish, DVM, MSC, MRCVS, MHAO, MCIVT
Dr Sathish is an award-winning holistic vet with 22 years of experience. After training in acupuncture, acupressure, energy healing, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), animal communication and herbal medicine, she now actively integrates conventional veterinary treatments with complementary therapies and is co-author of You Can Heal Your Pet (Hay House UK, 2015). You can contact Dr Sathish at her website: www.rohinisholisticvetcare.com
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