Ask Momma Gail: Is Your Senior Dog Pacing at Night? Understanding Dog Dementia & How to Help
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In our latest Dear Momma Gail corner, 89-year-old Momma Gail and Kellye break down why older dogs wander at night — and how a simple routine can restore peace to your home.
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,
Honey, he isn't being stubborn at all — the poor old fellow is just a little confused.
Just like us humans, our sweet dogs can develop a form of dementia as they cross into their golden years. It's called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, and it's more common than most people realize. When the sun goes down, their internal clocks can get completely turned around, leading to that nighttime pacing and wall-staring that has your whole house losing sleep.
First, give him grace. He isn't doing this on purpose, and he needs your patience now more than ever.
Second, make his world predictable. Keep your furniture exactly where it is so he doesn't bump into things in the dark, and add a few inexpensive nightlights along the hallway to guide his dimming eyesight. Familiar smells and sounds at bedtime can also signal to his brain that it's time to settle down.
And if he's a burrower by nature, try tucking him in with a weighted burrow blanket at bedtime. That gentle, cozy pressure mimics the feeling of being held — and for a confused, anxious senior dog, it can be just the thing to help his nervous system settle down and say goodnight. Our Burrow Blanket was made with exactly this in mind.
To ease his anxiety even further, my daughter Kellye swears by a soothing nighttime routine. A gentle paw massage using our all-natural, lick-safe Weenie Balm works absolute wonders. The pure lavender essential oils act like a natural spa treatment — calming his nervous system so you can both finally get some well-deserved shut-eye.
You're doing right by him just by paying attention, sweet friend. That old beagle is lucky to have you.
With love,
Momma Gail 🐾
Dear Momma Gail is written by Kellye Potter, inspired by her mother Gail and a lifetime of watching two generations of aging souls — human and canine — need each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my senior dog pace at night?
Nighttime pacing in senior dogs is often a sign of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), sometimes called dog dementia. Their internal body clock gets disrupted as they age, causing confusion and restlessness — especially after dark.
What is dog dementia and how common is it?
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction affects up to 35% of dogs aged 11 and older. Signs include nighttime pacing, staring at walls, confusion in familiar spaces, and changes in sleep-wake cycles. It's more common than most owners realize.
How do I help a senior dog with dementia at night?
Keep furniture in the same place so they don't bump into things. Add nightlights along hallways. Establish a calming bedtime routine — a gentle paw massage, a cozy burrow blanket, and familiar sounds can all help their nervous system settle down.
Can dog dementia be treated or slowed?
While CCD can't be reversed, it can be managed. Omega-3 fatty acids (especially DHA), antioxidants, and MCT oil have shown promise in supporting brain health in aging dogs. Your vet can recommend a plan tailored to your dog.
Is my senior dog just being stubborn or is something wrong?
Stubbornness and dementia can look similar, but dementia comes with confusion — not defiance. If your dog seems lost in their own home, stares blankly, or has sudden behavior changes, it's worth a vet visit to rule out cognitive decline.
Got a question for Momma Gail? Send your senior dog questions to Kellye at Bowwow Pet Care — we read every single one.
Shop our handcrafted Weenie Balm and Mr. Weenie's Burrow Blanket at bowwowpetcare.com 🐾