Ask Momma Gail: Is Your Senior Dog Pacing at Night? Understanding Dog Dementia & How to Help

Dear Momma Gail,

My 13-year-old beagle has started doing this strange thing where he gets up at 2:00 AM, paces around the living room, and just stares blankly at the walls. He acts so lost in his own home, and it's keeping the whole family awake. Is he just getting stubborn in his old age?

— Sleepless in Shelbyville

Dear Sleepless,

Oh, honey. Those long nights can leave everyone tired and worried. When a familiar little face seems lost in a familiar room, it is natural to fear the worst. But please don’t label him stubborn, and don’t decide from a late-night search that he has dementia, either. A change like this deserves a conversation with his veterinarian.

Canine cognitive dysfunction is a condition your veterinarian may consider when an older dog has changes in behavior or apparent confusion. It is sometimes called dog dementia. But pacing, staring, and disrupted sleep do not establish that diagnosis on their own. Discomfort, changes in vision or hearing, toileting needs, and other health problems may also need assessment.

Give the veterinarian a picture of the whole day

Arrange an appointment and explain when this started, whether it came on suddenly, and whether it is becoming more frequent. Mention changes in daytime behavior as well as the nights. Is he having accidents? Does he hesitate in familiar places? Have eating, drinking, movement, or interactions changed?

Keep brief notes and, if possible, record a short video without provoking or prolonging an episode. Bring a list of medicines and supplements. Ask what your veterinarian needs to assess before deciding whether cognitive dysfunction is involved. You do not need to solve the diagnosis before making the call.

If confusion appears suddenly, your dog cannot stand, or he seems to be in severe distress, contact a veterinarian urgently. Trouble breathing, collapse, or a seizure calls for emergency veterinary attention rather than waiting for a routine appointment.

Make familiar spaces easier to navigate

While you arrange care, clear obstacles from his usual paths and avoid unnecessary furniture changes. A soft night-light may make a dark route easier to see. Keep water and a comfortable resting place accessible, and check that he cannot wander into stairs or another hazardous area.

Choose barriers and arrangements that are safe for him, and ask your veterinary team if you are unsure. Watch how he responds rather than assuming every change helps. An unfamiliar enclosure or forced handling may add to his distress.

Use a gentle voice and offer quiet company. Do not punish pacing or accidents. These changes are information about what he may need, not a reason to scold him. Mr. Weenie would tell you that a familiar person nearby can matter a great deal, even when that person cannot fix everything at two in the morning.

Ask about an individual care plan

If your veterinarian diagnoses cognitive dysfunction, ask which care options suit your dog, what goals are realistic, and when to review progress. Discuss his other health conditions and the demands of nighttime care on your household. Ask for clear instructions about any recommended medication, diet, activity, or environmental changes.

Do not start sleep aids, supplements, essential oils, or human medication on your own. A product being described as natural does not establish that it is safe or effective for your dog. Ordinary comfort items should not be presented as treatments for cognitive dysfunction.

Our earlier article suggested that a weighted blanket and lavender balm could calm a dog’s nervous system and included an unverified dementia statistic. Those claims have been removed. We cannot promise that a blanket or balm will treat confusion, anxiety, or disrupted sleep.

You need support through the nights, too

Tell your veterinary team if you are not sleeping or cannot safely manage the episodes. Ask a trusted person for a specific bit of help when possible, with clear care instructions. Needing rest does not make you less devoted.

For a broader letter about comfort and bedtime routines, read My Senior Dog Won’t Settle at Night. What Can I Do? This letter focuses on apparent confusion and the questions to bring to a veterinary assessment; neither article replaces that assessment.

Keep noticing and keep asking, sweetheart. You do not have to choose between compassion and getting professional help. Your old friend deserves both.

With love,
Momma Gail

Frequently asked questions

Does nighttime pacing mean my senior dog has dementia?

No. Pacing and disrupted sleep can have different causes. Your veterinarian should assess your dog before you assume cognitive dysfunction.

What should I record before a veterinary appointment?

Record when the changes began, how often they happen, and changes in daytime behavior, toileting, appetite, drinking, or movement. A short video and a medication list may also help.

How can I support a dog who seems confused at night?

Keep familiar routes clear, make water and a resting spot accessible, and consider a soft night-light. Offer quiet company and ask your veterinarian about arrangements suited to your dog.

Can blankets, balms, or supplements treat dog dementia?

Do not rely on these as treatment for cognitive dysfunction. Ask your veterinarian about an individual care plan and before adding supplements, sleep aids, or essential oils.

When does confusion need urgent veterinary attention?

Contact a veterinarian urgently for sudden confusion, inability to stand, or severe distress. Trouble breathing, collapse, or a seizure calls for emergency veterinary attention.

About Momma Gail

Nashville-born and raised, Momma Gail brings 89 years of Southern kitchen-cooked wisdom to the table. Her recipes helped care for Dixie through a remarkable 20 years of life. Here she shares a caregiver’s heart for senior dogs and the people who love them. This column is written by Kellye Potter in Momma Gail’s voice.

General caregiver information, not an individual veterinary diagnosis or treatment plan.