Why Does My Dog Move From Spot To Spot While Sleeping? (10 Reasons And Solutions)

Indeed, it can be somewhat bothersome to wake up in the middle of the night just to notice that your dog is restless and constantly switching sleeping spots when you expect him to have had a peaceful drift to the snooze land.

The common reasons why dogs change spots while sleeping include separation anxiety, itchy skin, new or uncomfortable sleeping area, extreme temperature, exposure to strange noise or smell, exercise deprivation, and health problems causing pain.

This could also be a result of sleeping disorders or canine cognitive dysfunction.

Let’s go further to explain the various reasons why dogs often become restless and move from one spot to another during sleep alongside possible solutions.

1. Pain

Dogs react to pain in different ways but if you notice that your dog is changing his sleeping location, chances are that he may be experiencing either mild or severe pain. You can look out for other symptoms of pain like yelping, limping, aggression, back arching, muscle twitching, or labored breathing.

While giving your pooch OTC medication for pain may seem like a no-brainer, the best way to treat pain is by finding out the underlying cause. Hence, taking your dog to the vet for a thorough examination is crucial in this case.

2. Separation Anxiety

Sometimes when dogs bond with you, they tend to feel nervous and insecure when you are not around them. Hence, your pooch can become a restless sleeper, moving from spot to spot if he sleeps in a different room. This is known as separation anxiety.

Restlessness while sleeping may be a mild symptom of separation anxiety. If your dog is showing any sign of anxiety, it is important to seek the help of a professional otherwise this condition may progress to advanced stages where your pooch is characterized by destructive behaviors like self-harm, damaging furniture, and excessive jumping.

Calming your dog before bedtime will also help to reduce the symptoms of separation anxiety.

3. Fido Is Deep In The Dreamland

Dogs have similar brain activities and sleep cycles as humans, experiencing both Rapid Eye Movement (REM) and non-REM sleep cycles. Dreaming happens in the REM cycles and slight body movements may be seen.

A part of a dog’s brain stem known as the pons is responsible for muscle relaxation during REM sleep. The pons is often less functional in senior dogs and underdeveloped in puppies. Hence, puppies and old dogs tend to move more frequently in sleep.

Most commonly, dogs twitch and paddle their feet when they are dreaming. However, this can cause your pooch may move to a new sleeping spot over time without realizing it.

4. Skin Problems

Any skin problem that can cause itchiness or irritation of your dog’s skin is capable of affecting the quality of your dog’s sleep and possibly forcing him to move from one spot to another.

The skin problems could range from bacterial, viral, or yeast infection to a mite, tick, or flea infestation as well as allergic reactions. Additionally, there is the possibility of having insect bites especially if your dog sleeps on a bare floor or outside.

If you suspect itchiness in your dog’s skin, you can quickly inspect your dog or better consult your vet to find out what is wrong with your pooch.

5. Sleep Disorders

While trying to find out the exact reason why your dog changes sleeping spots, do not rule out sleep disorders. There are 4 types of sleep disorders in dogs: REM sleep behavior disorder, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and insomnia.

Excessive physical activities and violent movements during sleep are typical of REM sleep behavior and this is usually more intensified than is seen in normal REM cycles. Dog owners often report cases of their dog running into barriers, biting, or hitting surrounding objects.

6. Unsuitable Temperature

Sleeping in a room, bed, or environment that is too hot or too cold for your dog’s liking can throw your dog into a state of restlessness. Dogs often adapt pretty well to a wide range of temperatures but they may prefer certain temperatures when the opportunity presents itself because it feels better and more relaxing to them.

While there is no optimal temperature for dogs, it is important to understand your dog’s temperature preference and necessary arrangements to ensure that your pooch gets the best out of his bedtime.

7. Your Dog’s Bed Is Uncomfortable

Dogs value comfort like humans and if your dog is moving from spot to spot while sleeping, you may need to reassess the comfort of your dog’s bed. As in the aforementioned case of temperature preference, dogs can be deprived of comfort and quality sleep when their bed is excessively warm or cold.

When your dog’s bed is too soft, he may also be worried because it does not offer adequate support for his body. Hard bed surfaces may result in pain and a lack of comfort for your dog. The wrong bed size could also force your dog to find relief in more comfortable sleeping locations.

It may also be that you placed his bed in the wrong spot. You can take note of where various spots your dog moves to while sleeping and move his bed to these spots.

Sudden changes in your dog’s sleeping arrangements can also affect your dog’s comfort, requiring him to adapt to the new arrangements.

8. Dementia

Canine cognitive dysfunction is a condition that is common in older dogs where there is a decrease in cognitive functions characterized by disorientation, decreased awareness, loss of memory and learning abilities, and altered sleep-wake cycles.

Dogs with this condition tend to wake up intermittently at night and may start pacing due to confusion. This is a possible reason why your dog moves from spot to spot while sleeping.

9. Environmental Disturbances

Dogs are naturally alert creatures with keen olfactory and auditory senses. Strange noises or smells that you may not perceive as a human may be enough to disrupt your dog’s sleep and when your dog wakes up at night, he may move to other sleeping spots in search of security.

If the noise is too loud for your dog, for example, in the case of thunderstorms or fireworks, it may trigger canine anxiety and stress. Insect bites constitute environmental disturbances for your canine.

10. Exercise Deprivation

All dog breeds require a specific exercise requirement to ensure they receive enough physical and mental stimulation.

When these exercise requirements are not met, it may make them restless and full of anxiety at night. This is more evident in energetic breeds because they require plenty of exercises to burn off pent-up energy.

Exercise improves your dog’s sleep patterns, helping him to have a calm and restful sleep.

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It is always satisfying to watch your dog snuggle peacefully and when you discover that your dog no longer maintains a spot while sleeping, it can be quite unsettling.

From separation anxiety, itchy skin, pain, uncomfortable sleeping spot, sleeping disorders, unusual noise or smell, to lack of mental and physical stimulation, there is no single reason why dogs become restless when sleeping.

Make sure you consult your vet quickly if your dog feels uncomfortable sleeping. You can also help your dog by providing suitable sleeping arrangements as well as regular exercise to prepare your dog for a night of healthy sleep. Also, your dog may require crate training if you want them to maintain a designated sleeping area without feeling confined.