TL;DR
An old dog that pants or cannot settle at night usually has one of five problems: pain (most often arthritis), needing to go out more often, cognitive decline, trouble seeing or hearing in the dark, or an illness that affects breathing or hormones, such as heart disease, laryngeal paralysis or Cushing's disease. VCA Animal Hospitals lists restlessness, repeatedly getting up and lying down, and panting even at rest as possible signs of pain. A simple check you can do tonight: count your dog's breaths while it is asleep. Dogs with heart disease that is not causing heart failure breathe fewer than 30 times a minute in their sleep, so a sleeping rate that is consistently higher needs a vet. Panting with a swollen belly, blue or pale gums, collapse, or struggling to breathe needs an emergency vet now.
When panting at night is an emergency
Go to an emergency vet now if your old dog at night:
- struggles to breathe, breathes with its neck stretched out, or has blue, gray or very pale gums
- paces and retches without bringing anything up, especially with a swelling belly
- collapses, has a seizure, or cannot stand
- pants heavily and will not settle at all, after trauma or a possible poisoning
- has noisy, raspy breathing that is getting worse, especially in warm weather
Count the sleeping breathing rate
This is the most useful thing you can do at home, especially if your dog has a heart murmur.
- Wait until your dog is deeply asleep and relaxed, not dreaming.
- Count each time the chest rises over 30 seconds, and double it (or count for a full minute).
- Write it down, and repeat on several nights.
In a study of dogs with heart disease, dogs whose disease was not yet causing heart failure had average sleeping rates under 30 breaths a minute, and even dogs with heart failure that was well controlled on medicine had a median of 20. A sleeping rate that is consistently above 30, or climbing night after night, is a reason to call your vet promptly.
Why old dogs pant and get restless at night
Pain
VCA lists these as possible signs of pain in dogs: pacing or restlessness, repeatedly getting up and lying down, trembling legs, groaning when lying down, and panting even at rest. Joint pain is often worse after lying still, so a dog with arthritis may shift positions all night. The 2023 AAHA senior care guidelines note that owners often mistake chronic pain for normal aging. See arthritis in dogs: treatment and home care.
Needing to urinate
VCA's senior behavior guidance notes that diseases that increase thirst, such as diabetes and kidney disease, mean more urination, and a dog that cannot get outside may wake, pace or have accidents. A clear increase in drinking is worth a vet check.
Cognitive decline
Changes in the sleep-wake cycle are a recognized sign of cognitive dysfunction (dog dementia). VCA lists sleeping more during the day, sleeping less at night, and pacing or vocalizing at night. In a 2026 Australian survey of the owners of 205 dogs aged 8 or older:
- dogs with more severe cognitive decline had more trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, and more accidents overnight
- over half of the dogs were most unsettled between 2 and 5 a.m.
- restlessness in the late afternoon and early evening increased as decline progressed
- bumping into objects and responding less to sound were more common in dogs with severe decline
See dog dementia: signs and stages and senior dog pacing at night.
Vision or hearing loss
Dogs that cannot see or hear well may startle in the dark or feel uneasy when the house goes quiet. VCA notes older pets with sensory changes may scan their surroundings more and startle more easily.
Heart disease
Fluid building up in the lungs from heart failure makes breathing faster and harder, even at rest. Other signs include coughing, tiring quickly and fainting. The sleeping breathing rate above is the best early warning.
Laryngeal paralysis
A review in the Journal of the South African Veterinary Association describes acquired laryngeal paralysis as typically seen in old, large breed dogs, where the voice box no longer opens properly, causing signs of partial airway obstruction. It is now seen as part of a wider nerve disease (geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy). Signs include noisy breathing, a change in bark, and heavy panting that is worse in heat or after exercise.
Cushing's disease
VCA lists panting among the common signs of Cushing's disease, together with increased appetite, drinking and urination, a pot-bellied appearance, thin skin, a poor coat and skin infections. A dog that pants, drinks more and gets up at night to urinate fits this picture.
Flat-faced breeds and weight
Pugs, bulldogs and other flat-faced breeds have narrow airways and often breathe noisily and snore; extra weight makes breathing harder for any dog. Heat matters too: a warm bedroom or a heavy bed can make an older dog pant.
Anxiety
Thunderstorms, fireworks, a new home or being left alone can cause panting and pacing at night, and anxiety often increases with cognitive decline.
Other illness
Stomach upset, nausea and some medicines can also disturb sleep. VCA's senior behavior guidance recommends a physical exam for any behavior change, whatever the dog's age.
What to record before the vet visit
- When the panting or restlessness happens, how long it lasts, and what time of night
- Sleeping breathing rate on several nights
- Water drunk in 24 hours, and how often your dog needs to urinate
- Any cough, noisy breathing, change in bark, or fainting
- A short video of the panting or restlessness
Your vet may check blood pressure, blood and urine tests, chest X-rays or an ultrasound of the heart, and a test for Cushing's disease if the signs fit.
A night routine that helps
- Evening walk or sniffing game an hour or two before bed, to tire the body and mind. In a study of 72 older pet dogs, three months of physical or cognitive training improved some behavior measures, such as flexibility, social behavior and interest in new things.
- A late toilet trip right before bed.
- A supportive bed in a quiet, cool, draft-free spot; getting up is easier from a bed with good support and a non-slip floor beside it.
- A cool room. Older and flat-faced dogs overheat easily.
- A night light for dogs with weaker eyesight.
- Water within reach, but tell your vet if the amount has gone up.
- Daytime activity: keep your dog awake and engaged during the day so it sleeps at night.
- Keep the routine the same. VCA notes older dogs do not handle change well.
- Sleep nearby. Many restless dogs settle better near their people; block stairs and cover slippery floors.
Treatments your vet may suggest
- Pain relief for arthritis.
- Treatment for the underlying disease, such as heart medication, Cushing's treatment or surgery for laryngeal paralysis.
- Diet for cognitive decline: in a 2018 trial of 87 dogs with signs of cognitive dysfunction, a diet with medium-chain triglyceride oil and a nutrient blend improved all six categories of signs at 90 days. The study was funded by the food's maker.
- Melatonin: VCA describes off-label use for sleep and behavior problems under veterinary direction. A 2022 review notes it has been proposed for older dogs with sleep disturbance, but controlled trials in senior dogs are lacking. Never use human products containing xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
- Prescription medicines for anxiety, night-time distress or cognitive dysfunction.
Supporting the aging brain
DHA, an omega-3 fat, is concentrated in the brain. In a 2017 study, aged Beagles fed a DHA-rich algae improved on initial learning tasks. Our Brain & Cognitive Support Soft Chews provide 90 mg of algal DHA in 180 mg of total omega-3 per 2-chew serving, with turkey tail, ginkgo, lutein and antioxidants. The chews themselves have not been tested in a clinical trial, and they contain chicken and soy.
FAQ
Why is my old dog panting at night?
The most common reasons are pain, heat, anxiety or cognitive decline, but heart disease, laryngeal paralysis and Cushing's disease can also cause it. Count the sleeping breathing rate and see your vet if panting at rest is new.
What should I do if my old dog is panting at night?
Check for emergency signs first. If there are none, cool the room, offer a toilet trip and water, and let your dog settle near you. Count the breathing rate once it is asleep, and book a vet visit if the panting keeps happening.
Why do dogs pant at the end of life?
Pain, breathing difficulty, anxiety and the illness itself can all cause panting in a very ill dog. Your vet can treat pain and distress; tell them if panting is new or worsening.
Why is my old dog panting and restless at night?
Pain is the most common reason, followed by needing to urinate, cognitive decline and illnesses such as heart disease. Panting at rest with restlessness is worth a vet visit soon.
Is it dementia if my old dog paces at night?
It can be, but pain, thirst and sensory loss look similar. Your vet will check for those first.
Can I give my senior dog melatonin for sleep?
Only with your vet's guidance and a dog-safe product without xylitol.
References
- VCA Animal Hospitals. How Do I Know if My Dog Is in Pain?, Behavior Counseling: Senior Pet Behavior Problems, Helping Our Senior Dogs Age Gracefully, Cushing's Disease in Dogs, Melatonin.
- Porciello F, et al. Sleeping and resting respiratory rates in dogs and cats with medically-controlled left-sided congestive heart failure. The Veterinary Journal. 2016. PMID: 26639825
- Taylor TL, et al. Sleep-wake disturbance in canine cognitive dysfunction: guardian-reported patterns and a practical screening tool. The Veterinary Journal. 2026. PMID: 42571817
- Kitshoff AM, et al. Laryngeal paralysis in dogs: an update on recent knowledge. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association. 2013. PMID: 23718178
- American Animal Hospital Association. 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
- Pan Y, et al. Efficacy of a therapeutic diet on dogs with signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2018. PMID: 30619873
- Hadley KB, Bauer J, Milgram NW. The oil-rich alga Schizochytrium sp. as a dietary source of DHA improves shape discrimination learning in a canine model of senescence. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids. 2017. PMID: 28288702
- Essential oils and melatonin as functional ingredients in dogs. Review. 2022.
- The behavioural effect of short-term cognitive and physical intervention therapies in old dogs. PubMed 38568435.
For individual health questions, your veterinarian remains the best partner.
