Restless Pet

If the thing that's keeping you awake at night is your pet, there may be something you can do to remedy the situation. Speaking of Pets

September 18, 2010 by Mindy Norton You might not think that sleeping would be a problem for dogs and cats - in fact, most of them seem to be experts at it. But if that's the case, why do you lie awake, listening to the tick of the clock and the sound of your pet scratching or licking? Why is your best friend so restless at night?
It may be that your pet needs its own bed. Sleeping on a hard floor is not very comfortable.
And sleeping in your bed may be part of the problem.
A lot of pet supply stores (including online vendors) sell comfortable pet beds in all sizes and shapes to match any d?cor - or you can make one using a soft blanket or big pillow.
If the problem is not the bed, that restlessness could mean your pet needs to go out.
You can give a cat access to a litter box, but some dogs, particularly older dogs or young puppies, have trouble making it through the night without a potty break.
Give your dog the opportunity to relieve itself the very last thing before you go to bed at night.
Another reason your pet is restless at night could be that it isn't getting enough exercise during the day. If you're gone all day, your furry buddy is probably sleeping, or at least dozing.
Before you go to bed, take your dog for a nice brisk walk, or spend some time playing games with your cat. A little exercise might be just the thing to help your pet settle down for a good night's sleep.
Don't overlook the possibility that your best friend's restlessness could be an indication of discomfort. It may in fact be a symptom that calls for veterinary attention to determine if there's a physical cause for the problem.
Then again, your pet could just be a night owl. If that's the case, you may want give it a few toys to play with to keep it happy and confine it in another part of the house away from your bedroom.
Once you solve the problem of your best friend's restlessness at night, maybe you can both get some sleep and look forward to a new day tomorrow, when you're speaking of pets.

Speaking of Pets with host Mindy Norton (pets@apr.org) is for people who care about pets and about humane treatment for animals in general, and who want to celebrate that special relationship between us and our animal companions. Find out more about Speaking of Pets at Alabama Public Radio. © Copyright 2010, APR - ALABAMA PUBLIC RADIO
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