Why Do Dogs Pace at Night?

Watching a dog pace is exhausting and stressful — not just for them. Sometimes dogs pace at night because they’re overexcited about something, but other times something is wrong or they’re uncomfortable. Since your BFF can’t tell you what’s up, we’re here to help you identify what may be going on with your dog and if they need to see a vet. Whether it’s anxiety, pain, or anticipation, when you know how to get your dog what they need, everyone can sit and relax.

TL;DR: A dog pacing at night is usually their way of saying something is wrong. This could be anxiety, a neurological issue, pain, boredom, excitement, nausea, or just the realities of getting older. Check in with your vet to figure out what’s behind this behavior.

7 possible reasons a dog paces at night

Any stressor can leave a dog feeling unsettled. The following are some of the most common reasons why a dog might pace at night.

Pain

The most common cause for dogs pacing is pain. Joint pain, specifically, causing dogs to pace rather than settle, often goes undiagnosed. It may seem counterintuitive that a dog with joint pain would walk around rather than lie down. But the problem is that joint pain in dogs is most commonly found in the hips, knees, and elbows — all of which require bending to lie down. 

When a person has a bad knee, they can use a mobility aid or a handrail to ease themselves into a sitting position, but dogs can’t do this. Instead, they walk around stiffly to avoid bending the offending joint(s). The inability to escape pain, or the anticipation of it, can also cause anxiety, which can worsen pacing symptoms. Since there are no safe, over-the-counter pain medication options for dogs, check in with your vet for help.

Joint pain isn’t the only factor that can make dogs uncomfortable. Figuring out exactly what’s bothering them can be tough, since they don’t always show where they’re hurting. Pain that leads to pacing can come from things like pancreatitis, stomach problems, injuries to their back or neck, or even sprains and pulled muscles.

Anxiety and stress

Pacing is one of the most common symptoms of anxiety in dogs. Other symptoms of anxiety include following you around the home, startling easily (especially towards new things in their space or upon entering new areas), as well as panting, barking, or whining. Witnessing your dog being restless and struggling to settle can be hard as a pet parent. 

Signs they’re probably pacing because they’re anxious include:

• Pacing in front of similar areas daily, such as a door, windows, or outside an area you’re in that they can’t enter 

• Not pacing exclusively at night

• Showing any of the above symptoms

Demonstrating these behaviors after you leave is specific to separation anxiety. And exhibiting these behaviors near an exit for potty breaks (be it at a door or near their leash) may tell you they’re anxious to relieve themselves.

Anxiety medication is an option for anxious dogs, as is training. Since understanding the underlying cause of anxiety in your dog can be complicated, check in with your vet for a screening and recommendation. 

Understimulation

As all dog parents know, a bored dog will let you know they’re bored. This can result in destroying objects, overreacting to things, bringing you toys, begging for food or walks, bothering their siblings, or just staring at you like they’re in the pits of despair. 

Between these episodes, or as part of them, your dog may stand and walk around because they are too bored to settle. To overcome this tendency to pace throughout the day, make sure their exercise needs are met and that their home environment is enriching enough.

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Anticipation and excitement

Pacing is a great way to burn off happy energy, say all the canines in my home. Anticipating mealtime? Ready to go to bed? Parent is due home from work? Time to walk it out.

Excitement is a completely natural behavior and nothing to be concerned about as long as it isn’t in excess. These episodes should only last a few minutes — whether they’re worked up over animals, people outside, or whatever’s caught their attention — and will typically stop once you redirect their focus or their anticipation ends. If not, they may be showing signs of anxiety. 

Some of the most common times you may see your dog pacing because they need something:

• Before mealtimes

• When they need to go potty

• When you are near where treats are kept

• If their sibling is using a toy or bed that they want 

Nausea

An upset belly is no fun for anyone. Nausea, in particular, tends to trigger pacing because a dog is feeling vulnerable and seeks a safe spot to vomit. Walking also helps ease gastrointestinal (GI) pain and discomfort. That means dogs struggling with vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, and nausea are all prone to pacing, because it can feel soothing. 

Allow your dog to take slow, non-strenuous walks to help with their discomfort. But if they start vomiting or appear bloated, they may need to see a vet.

Neurological conditions

Unfortunately, some issues that affect dogs’ nervous systems can trigger pacing. Brain tumors, seizures (pre- and post-), and anything affecting the nerves to the eyes (which may cause blindness) can cause pacing. Cognitive decline in senior dogs, typically similar to dementia in people, may lead to pacing at night as well. 

Sometimes, other neurological symptoms will be present, such as a head tilt, rapid eye movements, dragging of paws, personality changes, and pressing their head against the wall. If your dog starts doing any of this suddenly, head to your nearest veterinary emergency room.

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Age

An aging dog is more prone to everything listed above. Cognitive decline is associated with age, and arthritis also progresses as they age. Anxiety, which often has underlying triggers such as pain and GI disease, will often develop in senior dogs due to underlying health conditions. 

Although aging doesn’t cause pacing, it’s very common to find old dogs who start pacing when they didn’t used to. If you have a senior dog at home like this, talk to your veterinarian to identify their trigger.

When should you go to the vet?

If pacing is accompanied by any of the following, your dog needs to see a vet:

• Vomiting

• Seizures

• Head tilting

• Paralysis

• Bloated belly

• Limping

If the nighttime pacing starts suddenly, and your dog will not stop or cannot be redirected (especially if this is out of character for them), contact a vet.

How you can help your restless dog

There are gentle measures you can try to help your restless dog, which will allow both of you to get the peace you deserve at night.

• Make sure they get adequate exercise and mental stimulation during the day.

• Provide a comfy, quiet, and dark area for sleep.

• Talk to your vet about joint supplements and pain medication for senior dogs.

• Stick to a predictable routine to ease your dog’s anxiety.

• Talk to a behaviorist and coordinate with your vet if you think your dog is anxious.

Commonly asked questions

Why is my dog pacing in circles?

If your dog is pacing in circles and they seem perky while doing this, they may just be excited. But if your dog seems out of it while pacing, this is a common neurological symptom and they should see a vet. 

Why is my elderly dog pacing?

A lot of elderly dogs will pace because they have stiff and ouchy joints due to arthritis. They need an extra comfy place to lie, in addition to treatment for arthritis (and potentially anxiety).

Is pacing a sign of pain in dogs?

Yes, pacing can be a sign of pain in dogs. If you know that your dog has an injury and the pacing has been progressive over time — or your dog is a senior — they may be pacing because they’re in pain. If their tummy is upset, you may also witness retching, vomiting, diarrhea, or refusing food.

References

DePorter, Theresa. “Nighttime Waking in Senior Dogs.” Veterinary Partner, 14 Dec. 2010, veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952996.

Heinrich, Anneliese. “Compulsive and Repetitive Behavior in Dogs.” Vin.com, 24 May 2023, www.vin.com/cattledog/default.aspx?pId=26671&id=11526425.

Riley, Elizabeth. “Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in Dogs.” Veterinary Partner, 8 Aug. 2017, veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=9773661.