This weight management and mobility support dog food was created with Hill’s unique understanding of the biology of overweight dogs.
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome for dogs age 7+
Supports energy level and beautiful coat in mature dogs
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced chicken to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Learn what a pet's microbiome is, how it contributes to your pet's gut & overall health, and why nutrition is important in maintaining healthy microbiomes.
Discover how and where to store your dry, as well as canned, dog and cat food. Learn how to find the "best before" dates on all Hill's pet food packaging.
Discover why water is the most important nutrient for your dog or cat to live a healthy life. Find out how much water your pet should consume each day.
When it's time for some shut-eye, you're probably eager to snuggle up with your cat or dog (or both!) and fall fast asleep. That is, until they start to fidget for hours. What's going on? Do dogs get insomnia? Is your cat not sleeping for a reason? Let's explore sleeping concerns among our canine and feline friends, including what causes these issues and solutions for helping them get a restful night's sleep.
The short answer is yes. Both cats and dogs can have issues falling and staying asleep, much like humans.
Abnormal sleep patterns have been detected in domesticated animals, including cats and dogs, according to the Sleep and Health Journal. Domesticated dogs can also experience narcolepsy, or a dysfunction of the brain's ability to control the sleep-wake cycle. Narcolepsy can be an underlying cause of insomnia in dogs. In a video from the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, you can see puppies gradually lose muscle tone in the limbs, start to sway and droop their eyelids during unexpected bouts of daytime sleepiness.
For humans, not getting an adequate amount of sleep can be linked to stress, work schedules, poor sleep habits, overeating before bedtime, medications, health issues, age and so much more, per the Mayo Clinic. Much like humans, sleep disorders in our pets may get triggered by medical problems, such as heart issues, cognitive dysfunction or a brain tumor. Additionally, sometimes pets that are itchy and uncomfortable due to allergies can have difficulty sleeping. The same is true for animals that are having difficulty holding their bladder through the night.
In some cases, what may be perceived as insomnia may actually simply be difficulty adapting to changes in your pet's environment or natural fluctuations in daily life. For example, when seasons transition and Americans adjust to daylight savings time, dogs sometimes have trouble catching up with the new shift in the day and night cycle. Changes in routine including the pet's feeding, potty break and walk schedules may lead to sleepless nights, according to Pet Health Network.
When it comes to cats, it's important to first understand what's normal. Cats are crepuscular animals, meaning are naturally hard-wired to be most active between dusk and dawn. The is derived from instincts you can see in their larger relatives, which is a natural drive to hunt at night. You can help manage this by slowly shifting their sleep-wake cycles to match your own. For example, although it may break your heart to wake them from their afternoon nap, by doing so and encouraging a little play time they will be more inclined to rest more in the evening. Additionally, consider using the timing of meals to help your cause. Cats are more likely to get extended rest after a hearty meal, so consider using this to your advantage through the use of timed feeding bowls that appeal to their hunting instincts or carefully planned meals that match when you may be getting ready for a snooze yourself.
While nighttime activity can be very normal in cats, aging may also bring on new sleep behaviors. Specifically, you might notice your cat waking up more during the night, or mixing up their days and nights, explains the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). This type of insomnia is often triggered by changes in the cat's hearing or sight as they get older. A little extra play in the afternoon can tire the pet, helping them sleep better at night. It's also important to know that cats tend
Some breeds are more prone to sleep disorders than others. Pets with short snouts (like Persian cats and Bulldogs) may experience insomnia related to sleep apnea, or a pause in breathing during sleep. This leads to excessive daytime drowsiness due to the poor quality of sleep at night.
Young pets may need several visits in their first year for vaccinations. Adult pets generally benefit from annual check-ups, while senior or special-needs pets might require more frequent visits.
It can be stressful if you and your pet aren't getting good rest. Thankfully, there are ways to manage insomnia in pets. The Pet Wellness Clinics says the best way to treat insomnia is to work with your veterinarian to diagnose the underlying condition causing your pet to miss out on a good night's sleep. Soothing an itchy skin condition, curing an undetectable bladder infection or mitigating the pain from arthritis will naturally allow your pet to get more restful sleep. Before starting any new supplements, home remedies or medications, you should talk with your veterinarian about your concerns. They will offer you guidance on having your pet evaluated and making sure any supplements/home therapies are safe for your pet.
Dog insomnia is real, and it's possible your cat is experiencing it too. We've learned that this condition closely mirrors what humans experience and can be best corrected by identifying the root cause of the sleepless nights. By paying close attention to any changes in your pet's behaviors, you'll get to the source of this health condition and help both you and pet get back to quiet nights together.
Angela Tague is a pet mom and writer living in the Midwest. When she's not making a mess in the kitchen, exploring nature trails with her dog, or attending a yoga workshop, she's writing full-time for multiple lifestyle and technology brands. You can find her on Twitter and LinkedIn @AngelaTague.
Feline Adult Perfect Weight Variety Pack
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of savory minced chicken to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Learn what a pet's microbiome is, how it contributes to your pet's gut & overall health, and why nutrition is important in maintaining healthy microbiomes.
Discover how antioxidants fight against free radicals in your dog or cat's body, and why they are so important to your pet's diet.
Discover why water is the most important nutrient for your dog or cat to live a healthy life. Find out how much water your pet should consume each day.
Discover how and where to store your dry, as well as canned, dog and cat food. Learn how to find the "best before" dates on all Hill's pet food packaging.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.