Cocker Spaniel Not Sleeping at Night? [Causes and Solutions]

Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.

If you’re a Cocker Spaniel owner, you know that these sweet, energetic dogs can bring so much joy to your life. But we all know that from time to time, there are situations that catch us off guard and send us into panic mode.

Just like if your notice your Cocker Spaniel not sleeping at night. What can cause it?

Your Cocker Spaniel may not be sleeping at night due to several reasons such as having a medical condition, environmental changes, or feeling excessive anxiety and stress. There are ways to help it though like setting a routine or making use of calming treats.

As a fellow dog owner and someone with experience in canine behavior, I’ve helped many Cocker Spaniel owners overcome similar issues.

In this post, I will share all of these in detail and hopefully help you out. Use the table of contents below to navigate around.

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How Many Hours a Day Does a Cocker Spaniel Sleep?

How Many Hours a Day Does a Cocker Spaniel Sleep?

On average, a Cocker Spaniel will sleep for about 12-14 hours per day.

However, this can vary depending on the age, amount of exercise, and general health of each dog.

Puppies and older dogs may require more sleep, but adult dogs who exercise frequently will likely require less sleep.

If your Cocker Spaniel is not receiving enough sleep, it may exhibit symptoms including irritability, fatigue, and a decrease in appetite.

I suggest speaking with your veterinarian or a behaviorist for a personalized plan of action if this persists for a long period of time and if the steps below don’t work out.

How much do Cocker Spaniel puppies sleep?

Like other puppies, Cocker Spaniels need a lot of energy and rest for their growth and development.

They often need to sleep for 18 to 20 hours every day.

Although it seems a lot, it is entirely normal. If you had a baby before, you will know what I mean.

Puppies go through multiple sleep cycles (polyphasic) during the day, so they will frequently get up eager to play, explore, and eat.

Reasons Why Cocker Spaniels Don’t Sleep At Night

why can't my cocker spaniel sleep at night?

Dogs’ sleep cycles are much shorter than those of humans, which makes it difficult for them to sleep for long stretches of time.

As mentioned earlier, they have polyphasic sleep cycles, which means they sleep more often throughout the day than humans do in one extended period.

There are several potential causes for your dog’s lack of sleep at night, so read on to find out more.

Medical conditions

Some illnesses and medical conditions such as restless legs syndrome, canine epilepsy, narcolepsy, insomnia, and sleep apnea, will make dogs feel more restless at night.

In addition to being more tired during the day or appearing confused when performing routine chores, a Cocker Spaniel with sleep issues will whimper, cry, or wake up frequently at night.

As lack of sleep can lead to an accumulation of stress hormones, dogs with sleep difficulties may start displaying behavioral issues such as becoming more aggressive.

It may also impair a dog’s immune system, making infections more likely.

Aches and pains

As a dog ages, it may regularly feel aches and pains as conditions such as arthritis sets in.

If your Cocker Spaniel suffers from this or other problems that are not immediately apparent, you might have noticed that it appears more exhausted and lethargic than usual.

It won’t just be less active during the day; the discomfort can make it difficult for it to stay asleep at night.

Environmental changes

A dog may experience sleep problems when their routines or environment change, such as when they move to a new home or when they are separated from their family.

Since Cocker Spaniels are well known for experiencing separation anxiety, you might want to reconsider your options when going on extended trips.

An older dog might regress with a new puppy, or it has experienced the loss of family too.

Similar to people, dogs enjoy routine, and if it is disturbed by changes, they may become anxious and have sleeplessness.

Anxiety and stress

It’s not unusual for your dog to stay up late at night if they are worried about something.

They might also be misbehaving since they are unable to communicate their feelings in any other way.

This can be the result of an incident that occurred during the day, a recent vet visit, or just loud noises in the house (maybe a thunderstorm?).

If you recently moved into a new house or got your pet from an animal shelter or rescue, you might have noticed this.

Lack of daytime activity

Are you ensuring that your Cocker Spaniel has enough physical and mental stimulation during the day?

Is there anyone at home that can give it attention? Or are there enough toys around that can keep it entertained?

Finding activities for your dog to engage in during the day is essential if you work all day to prevent boredom and nighttime awakenings.

Wanna know if a foster dog thinks you abandoned it?

How Can I Get My Cocker Spaniel To Sleep All Night?

Dogs enjoy small and cozy areas as they are natural den animals.

As such, one way that dog owners try out is to let their dogs sleep on their beds (I will discuss the pros and cons later).

However, I have a few tips that you might want to try out first to encourage your Cocker Spaniel to get a good night’s sleep.

Establishing a nighttime routine

A regular schedule will help you both get a better night’s sleep. The key is teaching your dog that the night is for sleeping.

Limit your dog’s intake of food and water in the hours before bedtime.

You can play for a few minutes, followed by taking it outside to relieve itself before you go to bed so it may sleep through the night without being disturbed.

Providing your dog a comfortable bed

Pick one that fits well in your room or wherever it sleeps and is soft and fluffy.

This will ensure that your dog will sleep better than if they are forced to sleep on harsh surfaces like hardwood floors.

Key Benefits

  • Memory foam offers comfort and support for your dog
  • Extra material on top allows for digging and scratching
  • Bolsters made of foam provide a secure place for your dog to rest their head
  • Durable microfiber blend material resists tearing and is easy to clean
  • Cover is removable and machine washable, and resistant to fur and slobber.

Keep the place quiet and calm

The quieter your home is, the easier it will be to get a good night’s sleep, and that applies to your dog as well.

All lights and electronics should be turned off at least an hour before bed.

You should also inform your family members of what you are trying to do so that everyone can be on the same page.

Also, you might wanna consider keeping your pets apart at night to prevent them from disturbing each other.

The same is true for kids: try to limit them from being too noisy after bedtime to prevent waking up your dog when he needs to sleep the most.

If possible, keep your dog’s sleeping area cool and dark too.

Use a calming supplement

A dog with occasional restlessness or general anxiety may sleep better after taking a calming supplement at least 30 minutes before bed.

I know of many anxious dogs that find comfort in calming soft chews, which can be used as a bedtime snack and contain active ingredients like melatonin and L-tryptophan.

Plenty of exercise

If your Cocker Spaniel is having trouble adjusting to a change in habit or is generally inactive, burning off additional energy is a guaranteed way to help it feel exhausted.

Your dog needs a way to release its energy, and you may help by taking up a new sport, going for an extra walk each day, or playing entertaining dog walking activities.

Play white noise

White noise can assist in producing sufficient ambient noise to put your dog to sleep soundly and deeply.

If they were to sleep in a completely silent environment, it also helps to prevent them from being awakened by other loud noises.

You can either buy a white noise machine or simply use your mobile device for this.

Should You Let Your Cocker Spaniel Sleep In Your Bed?

Should You Let Your Cocker Spaniel Sleep In Your Bed?

Many dog owners find it difficult to get their dogs to sleep through the night and opt to let them sleep on their beds as a workaround.

There are some pros and cons you should be aware of even though it might perform effectively.

Benefits:

  • Providing comfort and security, not just for your dog, but for yourself as well
  • Better mental health as a dog can help you feel less anxious and lonely, divert your attention from the symptoms of your mental illness, control your emotions, and give your life more meaning
  • Increased comfort contributes to the cozy environment that most dog owners find to be so soothing
  • Strengthen your bond with your dog by letting it know that it is part of your pack

Risks:

  • Exposure to germs as they can bring in harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites
  • Lower sleep quality due to disturbances when your dog moves
  • Allergies caused by dog hair and dander
  • Dogs may develop aggressiveness as they become more protective

Ultimately, it is up to you to balance the pros and cons of letting your dog sleep in your bed.

A good alternative would be to set up its bed in your room instead.

Win-win for both!

Why Do Cocker Spaniels Sleep a Lot?

A Cocker adult sleeps up to 14 hours every day. That’s totally normal.

You might think that your dog is always taking naps, but that’s just how they are!

They could be hyper one minute and you find them curled up in bed the next.

Before long, they are up and moving around again.

That said, you should always be alert and monitor your dog for abnormal behavior like lethargy, excessive whining, or aggression.

When Should You Be Concerned if Your Cocker Spaniel is Not Sleeping at Night?

I believe that you should try to pinpoint the likely reason first before coming up with a solution, and when you do, you will benefit greatly from all of the tips mentioned above.

Additionally, make sure to rule out any potential medical issues, as these will obviously call for a veterinarian’s help.

Just keep in mind that dogs frequently nap both during the day and at night, so don’t be alarmed if your dog wakes up in the middle of the night.

You only need to take further action if this is accompanied by strange or harmful conduct.

In Conclusion: Why is my Cocker Spaniel Not Sleeping at Night

Dogs may have trouble sleeping at night for a variety of reasons, but there are ways to encourage them to obtain a restful night’s sleep.

Dogs require daily exercise, a cozy place to sleep, and a regular sleeping schedule.

After following the steps above, if you’re still having trouble with your dog’s sleeping patterns, talk to your veterinarian about what they can do to help.

Don’t forget to check out other articles on dog behavior such as why does my dog sleep with his bum facing me, do dogs sleep with their tongues out, dog peeing a lot after boarding, and many more on our blog.

You’ve made it to the end, but I hope it’s not the end of our journey. We want to hear your voice! Share your thoughts, problems, suggestions, or anything related to your dog in the comments section. And don’t forget to join our newsletter today too.

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Zack Keithy
Zack Keithy

Hey, I'm Zack, the Chief Editor here. I was formerly a Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) for a good 6 years before moving on to greener pastures. Right now, I am still heavily involved in dog parenting duties, and it is my desire to share all our knowledge with fellow dog owners out there! Connect with me on LinkedIn, or read more about Canine Care Central!

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