It is one of the most heartbreaking sounds for a senior dog parent: the click-click-click of nails on the floor at 2:00 AM.
You watch your old friend circle their bed, sigh, lie down for a moment, and then get right back up to pace again. They look tired. You are definitely tired. But no matter how many times you tuck them in, they just can't seem to settle.
If this sounds familiar, you aren't alone. "Nighttime restlessness" is one of the most common complaints among owners of dogs over age 10.
The good news? It is rarely "just behavioral." There is usually a physical reason for it, and that means there is something you can do to help.
The 5 Reasons Your Senior Dog Paces at Night
1. Silent Joint Pain (The #1 Culprit)
Arthritis is cruel because it often flares up when the house gets quiet. During the day, your dog is distracted by smells, food, and activity. But at night, when the temperature drops and the distractions fade, the dull ache in their hips and elbows takes center stage.
If your dog circles multiple times before lying down, or stands staring at their bed before collapsing onto it, they are likely anticipating pain.
2. "Sundowners" Syndrome
Just like humans with dementia, senior dogs can experience Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). This often messes with their internal clock, causing them to sleep deeply all day and become anxious, confused, or "active" once the sun goes down.
3. Anxiety and Vision Loss
As their eyes get cloudy and their hearing fades, the world becomes a scarier place—especially in the dark. Shadows look different. Familiar hallways feel narrower. Pacing is often a self-soothing mechanism for a dog that feels vulnerable.
4. The "Cold Floor" Effect
We often turn the thermostat down at night to save energy. For a young dog, this is fine. For a senior dog with stiff joints, a 3-degree drop in temperature can make their muscles seize up. If they are getting up from their bed to move to a rug, they might simply be hunting for warmth.
5. Inadequate Support
Take a look at your dog's current bed. Is it a soft, fluffy "cloud" style bed? While these look cozy, they are often terrible for seniors. Soft filling shifts under their weight, causing them to sink until their joints are practically touching the hard floor. They pace because they can't find a position that supports their spine.
Why "Memory Foam" Isn't Enough
For years, vets have recommended orthopedic memory foam. And while support is critical, it only solves half the problem. Support stops the pain from getting worse, but it doesn't make the pain go away.
To actually soothe the ache keeping them awake, senior dogs need Active Heat Therapy.
- Increases Blood Flow: Heat dilates blood vessels, flushing out the inflammation that causes stiffness.
- Relaxes Muscles: It physically stops the muscle spasms that happen around arthritic joints.
- Deep Sleep Trigger: Warmth mimics the feeling of sleeping in a "puppy pile," which naturally lowers a dog's heart rate and anxiety.
Meet the Bed Designed for Deep Sleep
At ElderPaws, we realized that standard dog beds were failing our seniors. The ElderPaws Ortho-Heat™ System was designed to fix this.
- Therapeutic Warmth: Gentle, veterinary-safe heat that penetrates deep into stiff hips.
- Senior-Proof Design: Features a waterproof protective layer and a machine-washable soft cover—because we know accidents happen.
- Auto-Safety: Featuring the Petbee® Thermal Core, it utilizes intelligent auto-shutoff sensors to prevent overheating.
Your dog has spent their whole life bringing you comfort. Now, you can return the favor.
Shop Ortho-Heat (Get 20% Off Pre-Launch)*Stock is limited. Secure yours before the official public release.
