Why does my dog wake up at 3am every night
Why Do I Keep Waking Up at 3 a.m.?
There are many reasons why you might wake up in the middle of the night. Adopting certain habits may help improve your sleep quality, depending on the cause.
Waking up in the middle of the night isnt uncommon. Most people actually awaken several times at night without even noticing because they fall back asleep quickly. Some of the awakenings are only seconds long. Some of the awakenings may be long and falling back to sleep may be difficult and distressing.
If you wake up at 3 a.m. or another time and cant fall right back asleep, it may be for several reasons. These include lighter sleep cycles, stress, underlying health conditions, or even environmental factors. The latter might include the noise from the truck picking the garbage, the pet jumping on the bed wanting to play or go out.
Your 3 a.m. awakenings may occur infrequently and be nothing serious, but regular nights like this could be a sign of insomnia. Altering your sleep habits, reducing stress, and seeing your doctor about factors that may cause disrupted sleep can help you avoid these unwanted awakenings.
Read on to learn more about causes and solutions for waking up in the middle of the night.
Nighttime sleep involves multiple sleep cycles. Its not uncommon to wake several times a night during these cycles, though most of the time youll go right back to sleep afterward.
These cycles occur throughout the 7 to 9 hours of sleep adults typically need.
Sleep cycle stages
The stages of a sleep cycle include:
- a transition from wakefulness to sleep
- light sleep
- deep sleep
- REM sleep
The length of each stage will vary throughout the night. You have longer deep sleep cycles earlier in the night and longer REM sleep cycles as morning approaches. REM sleep is lighter sleep when dreams most often occur.
There are many reasons you may wake up at 3 a.m. You might frequently awaken during a time of stress. Or your 3 a.m. wake-ups may be a sign of insomnia.
It may be difficult to identify the cause of these bothersome disruptions to your sleep, but here are some reasons you may find yourself awake at 3 a.m.
Stress
Stress may be the first thing to consider if 3 a.m. awakenings are a new thing. When you feel stressed, your body activates your sympathetic nervous system, and you may jolt awake in the middle of the night.
You may experience an increased heart rate and blood pressure. These bodily changes can make it difficult to fall back asleep.
Your stress levels may be elevated if something in your life is causing anxiety or worry. Stress could be related to changes or uncertainty surrounding your job, relationships, health, or finances.
You should discuss your stress levels with your doctor if theyre prolonged. Therapy or lifestyle adjustments can also reduce stress.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a diagnosable sleep condition in which you have difficulty falling back asleep after waking at night on a regular basis. A significant portion of the population experiences insomnia. Have trouble falling or staying asleep 3 or more nights a week, for 3 or more months, with daytime consequences is considered chronic insomnia.
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Aging
Aging plays a huge role in your sleep cycles. When you get older, your sleep cycles change, you may take medications that alter your sleeping patterns, and you might develop another condition that impacts sleep.
As you age, the quality of your sleep decreases, as you spend less time in deep sleep. Therefore, youre more prone to awakenings from external factors like noise and light. Your sleep-wake times may also shift with age. You may go to bed and wake up earlier than you did at a younger age.
Discuss age-related sleep changes with your doctor if you experience insomnia or find yourself on an odd sleep schedule. One
Medications
You may take a medication that interferes with your nightly sleep. These can include:
Talk with your doctor if you suspect a medication is causing you to wake up in the middle of the night. You may be able to try another medication for your condition or practice lifestyle modifications that promote quality sleep.
Other health conditions
You may develop a condition that affects your sleep and causes a 3 a.m. wake-up. Some of these conditions include:
- Sleep apnea: This condition causes you to stop breathing during your sleep.
- Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD): GERD causes heartburn or indigestion.
- Arthritis: This type of inflammation makes moving your joints very painful.
- Restless leg syndrome (RLS): RLS causes your legs to feel jumpy.
- Depression: Depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, or anger interfere with your daily life. Medications used to treat depression may cause insomnia.
- Neuropathy: With this disorder, you experience tingling in your arms and legs.
- Enlarged prostate: An enlarged prostate can cause a man to feel the urge to urinate frequently.
- Menopausal symptoms: Night sweats or hot flashes may awaken you.
Treating an underlying condition may help you sleep better and manage insomnia. If you suspect you have one of these conditions, your doctor can help diagnose and treat it.
Lifestyle choices
Preparing yourself for quality sleep is very important. Not practicing good sleep hygiene may cause nighttime awakenings. Poor sleep hygiene can be caused by:
Changing these habits can improve your sleep significantly. Talk with your doctor if you think that you need professional assistance making some of these lifestyle adjustments.
There isnt a one-size-fits-all approach to better sleep. In most cases, sleeping medications arent going to be the magic pill to help you avoid nighttime awakenings.
Instead, using several of these strategies to get quality nighttime sleep may help you avoid the dreaded 3 a.m. wake-up:
- Aim for a consistent bedtime each night, and wake up at the same time each morning.
- Sleep in a comfortable, dark, quiet space.
- Make sure youre sleepy enough before going to bed, and dont lie there for 20 minutes or more if you cant fall asleep.
- Adopt a nighttime routine that helps you relax, such as reading or meditating before bed.
- Turn off screens well before you turn the lights out.
- Get adequate exercise during the day but avoid doing it right before bed.
- Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages after lunchtime.
- Eat dinner several hours before bedtime and avoid spicy foods.
- Reconsider drinking alcohol late at night.
- If you smoke, try to quit smoking.
Browse our sleep shop and discover all the best products for achieving deeper sleep
If you often wake up at 3 a.m. and have difficulty falling back asleep, its important to talk with your doctor. Your doctor may suggest you have a sleep study to learn more about your sleep cycles or diagnose a sleep disorder.
Treatments for insomnia may include lifestyle modifications, adjustments to your sleep-wake times, or cognitive behavioral therapy.
You may also want to see your doctor if these wake-ups cause problems for you during the day. Problems associated with a lack of consistent sleep may include:
- having trouble remembering things
- feeling very sleepy during daytime hours
- being unable to function at your normal levels
Waking up at 3 a.m. can be bothersome, but its not always a sign of a larger problem. Temporary stress could prompt you to wake up in the middle of the night every so often.
More frequent wake-ups at 3 a.m. that keep you up for a significant amount of time could be a sign of insomnia or another health condition.
If your sleep is disrupted regularly, talk with your doctor to find out more about the underlying reasons for the wake-ups. Practicing good nighttime habits before bed can help you fall and stay asleep.
3:00 am is generally when melatonin peaks in the body, meaning it continues to decline for the rest of your sleep. Cortisol levels are also rising, as cortisol begins increasing 2-3 hours into your sleep.
Its generally recommended not to go back on your phone if you cant sleep at night. Smoking a cigarette or having a glass of wine are also not recommended. Instead, try deep breathing exercises or reading a few pages of a book.
The brain is the most active part of your body when you sleep.
12 Potential Reasons Dogs Wake Up At Night & Solutions
This post will address some common reasons why dogs wake up at night.
In addition to being cute, puppies are also very loud and often prone to waking up at night.
Many times, this behavior is simply a result of teething or an overactive mind.
But if your puppy continues their nocturnal antics as they get older (and bigger!), it might be time to look into the reasons why this happens so that you can find a solution once and for all!
Reasons Dogs Wake Up At Night
Anxiety, stress, illnesses, pain, loud sounds, old age, traumatic event, nervous system disorder, and fear are all common reasons why dogs wake up at night.
Lets break it down further
The following are some common reasons why dogs wake up at night:
1. Environmental Sounds
At night, dogs can hear sounds that humans cannot.
They can hear sounds from far away and also high-pitched and low-pitched sounds.
This is because the dogs hearing is better than a humans in both of these areas.
Dogs can also hear very quiet or soft noises at night which are not loud enough for us to hear but will wake up the dog if it goes off in the middle of the night.
This causes them to bark or whine at it until we wake up ourselves and come downstairs to see what is going on.
So they get some company while being alone in their room all night long!
Therefore, environmental sounds can cause dogs to wake up at night and bark.
Read more: 17 Possible Reasons For Your Dog Acting Weird & Tips.
2. Anxiety
Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety which has many causes not just leaving them alone for an extended period.
They are anxious about being left alone, in a new environment, or even in a crate.
When you add up all of these factorsseparation, new environment, and crating its easy to see why some dogs wake up at night to check on their people.
If you find yourself waking up frequently because your dog is anxious during the night, speak with your veterinarian about possible treatment options for separation anxiety.
3. Nervous system disorder
Your dog may be suffering from a nervous system disorder.
If your dog is waking up at night, its important to rule out any medical conditions that can cause this behavior.
A nervous system disorder can result in excessive anxiety and restlessness, which could prompt your dog to wake you up during the night.
A number of different factors may cause a nervous system disorder, such as stress, a traumatic event, or genetic disorders.
If you suspect that your dog might have this issue, its best to contact your veterinarian, so they can help determine the root of their problem and treat them accordingly.
4. Old age issues
Dogs can suffer from insomnia as they age, which could explain why your pet wakes up at night and starts pacing the floor.
Older dogs may be more sensitive to noise, temperature changes, pain, and light.
Older dog anxiety or stress could be the reason that your dog is waking up in the middle of the night to go outside for a potty break.
Or because your aging dog has an upset stomach due to gas pains caused by eating something bad earlier in the day.
Read more: 15 Common Signs Your Dog Is Dying Of Old Age & How To Care.
5. Potty breaks
Your dog may need to go potty if it wakes up in the middle of the night.
If the dog wants to go outdoors right away to urinate, if it is a puppy, or if it is older, this is most likely the reason.
It would be crucial to keep letting it out to pee or poo fast in this situation.
It would be beneficial for pups to have some patience because they probably cant entirely regulate their bladders just yet, but they should eventually need to urinate less frequently at night.
It would be better to take it to the vet for a checkup if it is an adult because it may be caused by medical problems.
6. Hunger
If your dog is hungry, hes going to wake up in the middle of the night.
If you feed him too much food at once, hell also wake up hungry again at 1 am.
Dogs are less likely to wake up at night if they are fed small meals throughout the day rather than one big meal that causes them to feel full and satisfied for several hours.
Dogs will also wake up if they have been given an amount of food that is not quite enough for their needs.
Which can happen if an owner overestimates how much a dog needs or underestimates how much time has elapsed since their last meal.
For example, if you have fed your dog yesterday evening but forgot about it until today morning.
7. Hormone disruption
Another possible cause of night-time awakening is a disruption in your dogs circadian rhythm.
This means that your dog might be sleeping at times when they usually would be active, or vice versa.
This can happen if you change the surrounding environment too much, such as by moving to a new home or getting a different job.
It can also happen if you start feeding them something different from what they were used to eating beforethis is true especially if theyve been on the same brand and type of food their entire lives.
And finally, disrupted circadian rhythms can occur if your pet gets less exercise than usual due to any number of reasons.
Maybe theres construction going on outside your house, or maybe its wintertime and there are fewer opportunities for outdoor walks or runs because its cold out!
8. Illness
Your dog may be waking up at night because shes sick.
If your dog isnt sleeping well or eating well, or is just not feeling good in general, she might wake up at night to try to get some relief from the discomfort.
9. Having a lot of energy
Its also possible that your dog has been having a lot of energy at night due to not getting enough exercise during the day.
This would be more likely if it had a tendency to sleep well after a day of activity.
Assuring that your dog has been receiving the required amount of activity for breed might be beneficial.
10. Condition of sleeping space
Its also possible that the reason its been having trouble sleeping is an issue with the space it sleeps in.
Its possible that your dog is waking up because it is too hot, too cold, or too bright outside.
If it has started waking up at night after having to sleep in a separate room, this is more likely to be the case.
11. Owners lifestyle
Its also possible that youve been rewarding the behavior by giving the animal what it wants when it wakes up in the middle of the night.
When it wakes up at night, it may try harder if you tend to offer it additional attention so that it may earn more rewards.
Instead, praising it when it sleeps through the night and refraining from rewarding it when it wakes up at night unless it has to go potty might be beneficial.
Your personal lifestyle may also contribute to why you dog stay awake at night.
12. Perceived burglary threat
The majority of dog breeds were created to protect houses, and this guarding instinct is passed down from generation to generation, making them perceptive and alert to potential intruder dangers in their surroundings.
This kind of dog will always be the first to notice or identify any movement that might pose a threat of a break-in, and will make an effort to alert you by barking.
The majority of dog breeds are watchdogs who will alert their owners to a stranger, but they are not guarding dogs.
Always keep in mind that certain dogs, for instance, are great watchdogs, so keep a look-out for nighttime excessive barking.
How to help dogs sleep well at night
Here are some tips on How to help dogs sleep well at night:
1. You let them sleep with you all night every night
Your dog is a pack animal, and she instinctually wants to be near her pack at all times.
In fact, shes like a child who wants to be close to their parents in bed at nightexcept that dogs arent good at sleeping alone.
So if shes not allowed on the bed, shell often try to find ways around this rule by sneaking up there when no one is looking or barking until someone lets her up there (even though that doesnt solve anything).
Dogs can also get anxious during the night if they are left alone or sleeping alone.
2. Stop sending mixed messaging about sleeping
Dogs are pack animals, and they need to know where they fit in the pack.
If you have a dog who wakes up at night, its possible that your dog is trying to figure out its role in your homeeither because youve sent mixed messages or because you havent established one yet.
Dogs are sensitive to your body language and tone of voice, so pay attention to how you speak with them during the day.
Theyll pick up on any inconsistencies between what you say and whats happening (youre going out tonight but act like its no big deal when your pup greets you at the door).
If there are things happening around them that dont match up with what theyre hearing (you tell them go back to sleep while still walking around).
Then their minds will be racing all night long until they get some clarity on their situation.
4. Consult a veterinarian about behavioral changes
Your dog may be experiencing a medical issue if it is disturbing you from sleep more frequently than usual.
A good first step to exclude this possibility or detect issues early is to visit a veterinarian.
A veterinarian can assist you in determining the cause even if your pet is not ill.
A medical issue may be indicated by any notable changes in behavior or sleep patterns.
Gastric discomfort may be the cause of your dogs difficulty eating or eliminating, which keeps your dog awake.
The dog may be experiencing increased hunger as a result of diabetes or another metabolic disease if it wakes you up in the middle of the night to beg for food.
5. Go to sleep at the same time every night
Dogs have predictable sleeping routines, so if you get up early and hes still on the sofa, he may find it as perplexing as if you went to bed at 5 oclock every night.
If your dog has a late-night pattern that he hasnt followed in a while, he can also be perplexed. He may require your assistance in getting back on track.
Try your best to maintain a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
If your dog tries to wake you up before you are meant to get up, be persistent about not responding to them other than with a reprimand.
6. Exercise your dog before bedtime
Tire them out before you go to bed to lessen the probability that your dog may wake you up.
You may do this by increasing the amount of time you spend exercising with your dog. A sleeping dog wont be able to wake you up in the end.
Take your dog for a little stroll right before you turn in at night if you dont have time to exercise it during the day.
7. Reduce the stimuli for your dog before bedtime
Your dog may also be keeping you up because they are still awake, active, or just overstimulated.
Before going to bed, avoid playing with your dog for a few hours.
Keep toys away from your dogs sleeping area. Before going to bed, mute any music or television.
Making sure that the space where it sleeps makes it easy for it to fall asleep would also be beneficial.
It should be quiet, cool, and not very light. There should also be room for it to lay down.
8. Change your dogs sleeping space
You may think about letting your dog sleep in a different room if youve tried everything and theyre still waking you up.
You may ensure that you have a good nights sleep and that your dog is left alone throughout the night by putting him in another room.
If you place your dog in another room, make sure to give them a cozy bed.
Be careful that leaving your dog in another room might cause weeping, barking, or an upset dog, especially if they are accustomed to sleeping with you.
9. Start a clear crate training session
Some dogs could have trouble falling asleep without disturbing their owner which is why crate training is important.
High-energy dogs that are not crated at night are especially at risk in this regard.
Keeping your dog in a crate at night is a remedy for this.
Put your dog in a crate to teach them that nighttime is for sleeping and to prevent them from running around or disturbing you while you sleep.
Your dog wont jump up on you or lick you awake in the morning if you keep them in a crate at night.
10. Reschedule feeding times
By altering your dogs feeding schedule, you may also reduce the likelihood of your dog waking you up.
In the end, your dog may be waking you up because they are hungry or because they ate really late and are still active.
If you believe that your dog is waking you up because they are hungry, postpone supper by one or two hours. This will keep your dogs belly fuller for a longer period of time.
Move dinner up a little bit if you suspect your dog is waking you up because they are grouchy after the last meal.
Its possible that it has been having trouble falling asleep because of a problem with its food.
Making sure that it has been eating the proper food and that it has not been consuming harmful substances would be beneficial.
Conclusion
If your dog is waking up at night, it could be for any number of reasons.
The most important thing to do is take a closer look at what might be triggering it and adjust accordingly.
This will help ensure that you and your dog get the most rest possible throughout the day.
