When an old dog begins pacing at night, walking from room to room, panting, whining, or unable to settle, it can be exhausting for both the dog and the household.
Nighttime pacing is almost never random — it is usually a sign that your senior dog is uncomfortable or struggling with changes related to aging.
We outline the common reasons why an old dog may start pacing at night, what you can do at home, and when to seek veterinary help.
Old Dog Pacing at Night: Why It Happens
An old dog pacing at night is usually experiencing cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, pain, nighttime confusion, digestive discomfort, medication side effects, or a medical condition that disrupts sleep.
Senior dogs often become more restless during nighttime hours because their internal rhythms, comfort levels, and brain function change with age. While the behavior can be frustrating, it is also an important sign that your dog needs help.
Old Dog Pacing at Night: Common Causes
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (Dog Dementia)
One of the most common causes of nighttime pacing in older dogs is cognitive dysfunction, often compared to dementia in humans. When the brain begins to age, memory, orientation, and awareness decline.
Dogs with cognitive dysfunction often pace at night because their sleep–wake cycle becomes reversed.
They may wander the house, pant, or stare at walls because they no longer understand their environment the way they used to.
Nighttime seems especially confusing for them, and quiet hours often amplify their anxiety or disorientation. These dogs may appear restless for long stretches, unable to lie down even when exhausted.
Some dogs become vocal or clingy, while others pace silently with an expression of confusion. As cognitive decline progresses, nighttime pacing often becomes one of the earliest and most persistent symptoms.
Read more: Old Dog Pacing Constantly (What nonstop pacing means)
Anxiety and Nighttime Fear
Nighttime anxiety in senior dogs becomes more common as hearing, vision, or cognitive clarity decline.
A dog who was calm during the day may pace at night because they feel vulnerable in low light or because nighttime silence heightens their sense of isolation.
Dogs experiencing separation anxiety often pace when their human goes to bed, especially if the dog feels lonely or insecure in another room.
Storms, distant noises, nighttime wildlife, or shadows can trigger fear-based pacing. Some dogs pant heavily, shake, or cling to their owner, while others pace quietly but nervously. Nighttime anxiety can appear suddenly or gradually worsen as the dog ages.
Pain
Pain is a major driver of nighttime pacing. Senior dogs may become more uncomfortable at night when temperatures drop, when inflammation worsens after a day of activity, or when lying down makes certain joints ache.
Dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, or spinal problems may pace because they cannot settle into a comfortable sleeping position.
Internal pain from conditions like pancreatitis, gas, or digestive discomfort can also cause nighttime pacing, especially if lying down increases the discomfort.
Dogs in pain often pant, shift weight frequently, or stand for long periods before pacing again.
Because pain often increases during rest periods, nighttime is when owners most clearly notice pacing caused by physical discomfort.
Digestive Upset or Nausea
An old dog pacing at night may be experiencing gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, bloating, or gas.
Digestive issues often feel worse when a dog lies down, prompting them to get up repeatedly. Dogs with acid reflux may pace after dinner or late-night snacks because stomach acid causes discomfort when the dog tries to rest.
Dogs experiencing nausea may lick their lips, swallow excessively, or seek to go outside repeatedly. Senior dogs are particularly sensitive to digestive upset, especially if they have dietary intolerances, pancreatitis, kidney disease, or chronic digestive inflammation.
Nighttime pacing associated with GI discomfort may come and go, depending on recent meals or underlying illness.
Kidney Disease or Organ Decline
Dogs with kidney disease often need to urinate more frequently, especially at night. When the bladder fills quickly, the dog may pace restlessly until they can go outside.
Kidney-related nausea and discomfort can also create anxiety that disrupts sleep. Dogs with liver disease may experience nighttime restlessness due to toxin buildup in the bloodstream, which causes discomfort, confusion, or agitation.
Some senior dogs walk in circles, pace hallways, or repeatedly change resting spots because internal illness prevents them from relaxing.
Medication Side Effects
Many medications prescribed to senior dogs can cause nighttime pacing as a side effect. Steroids such as prednisone are especially known for causing restlessness, panting, increased thirst, and nighttime agitation.
Pain medications, thyroid drugs, and certain anxiety medications may also lead to nighttime pacing in sensitive dogs.
Side effects may appear suddenly after a dose increase, new prescription, or even after long-term use as the dog’s metabolism changes with age.
Medication-induced pacing usually occurs shortly after taking the dose and may intensify at night when the dog is less distracted.
Sensory Decline
As dogs age, their vision and hearing often decline. Low-light environments can become confusing or frightening, causing dogs to pace because they cannot see clearly or hear familiar cues.
A dog who is visually impaired may not recognize the room, the hallway, or even their own bed in dim light.
Dogs with hearing loss may become startled by unfamiliar nighttime sensations or feel uneasy when they cannot hear family members. Sensory decline–related pacing often worsens at night due to darkness and silence.
Environmental Changes or Sleep Disruptions
Senior dogs depend heavily on routine. Changes such as moving furniture, introducing new pets, rearranging rooms, altering sleeping areas, or hosting visitors can trigger nighttime pacing.
Even something as simple as a new blanket, different lighting, or new sounds outside the home can unsettle an old dog.
Dogs experiencing changes in sleep location — such as being moved out of a bedroom or crate — may respond with anxiety-driven pacing until the environment feels familiar again.
Read more: Old Dog Circling and Pacing (Neurological or cognitive causes)
What to Do If Your Old Dog Is Pacing at Night
Begin by creating a comfortable, quiet, predictable nighttime environment for your dog. Keep the room softly lit if your dog has vision decline, and provide comfortable bedding with good joint support.
Take your dog outside for a bathroom break before bedtime, especially if kidney or bladder problems are contributing to nighttime restlessness. Spend a few minutes offering calm reassurance — gentle petting, slow breathing, or soft talking — to help ease anxiety.
Avoid punishment, as pacing is a symptom, not a behavior choice. If pain seems likely, limit strenuous activity during the day and offer gentle warmth or orthopedic support until your dog can be evaluated.
Observe whether nighttime pacing follows feeding, medication timing, or loud noises, as these patterns help identify the cause.
Because nighttime pacing is rarely harmless, schedule a veterinary visit to rule out underlying medical issues.
When to Call or Visit Your Vet
Seek veterinary care if your old dog is pacing at night and shows:
• Panting, shaking, or signs of pain.
• Confusion, disorientation, or nighttime anxiety.
• Vomiting, drooling, or signs of nausea.
• Increased thirst or frequent urination.
• Hind-leg weakness, wobbling, or circling.
• Sudden personality changes or agitation.
• Weight loss, decreased appetite, or lethargy.
• Vision or hearing decline that worsens at night.
• Swollen abdomen or difficulty breathing.
• Nighttime pacing that appears suddenly or escalates.
Nighttime pacing in senior dogs is a clear sign that something needs attention — medically, neurologically, or emotionally.
Read more: Old dog behavior change (Age-related behavior shifts)
Key Takeaway
An old dog pacing at night is usually experiencing cognitive decline, anxiety, pain, internal illness, or a disruption in sleep patterns.
While the behavior is challenging and often exhausting, it is an important signal that your dog needs support.
With proper evaluation, gentle home adjustments, and appropriate medical care, many senior dogs regain comfort and rest more peacefully through the night.