If your senior dog can’t settle at night — this is for you.
Most assume it’s physical discomfort. And don’t get me wrong — that’s often part of it. A dog with stiff joints and sore muscles is going to have a hard time getting comfortable at night.
But here’s what most dog parents don’t know.
Over eight years of building Lolahemp I’ve had hundreds of conversations with senior dog owners dealing with this exact issue. I’ve spoken with vets about it more times than I can count. And there’s one thing that most dog parents never connect to nighttime restlessness — even when it’s the primary cause.
Cognitive decline.
Specifically something called sundowning. It’s the same phenomenon that happens in humans with Alzheimer’s disease. And it’s far more common in dogs than most owners realize.
As dogs age the brain regions that regulate their internal clock — their circadian rhythm — are among the first to be affected by cognitive decline. Their brain loses its ability to distinguish between day and night. So they sleep during the day and become restless, confused and disoriented when the house goes quiet at night.
28% of dogs aged 11 to 12 show signs of this. 68% of dogs aged 15 to 16.
And here’s the most important number — only 12% of owners ever mention these behavioral changes to their vet. Most assume it’s just aging. Most never make the connection.
Here’s what actually helps:
🔦 Nightlight — softens the darkness that can disorient senior dogs at night
🛏️ Sleep near them — your presence is calming
👕 Worn t-shirt near their bed — your scent lowers cortisol
☀️ Limit daytime sleep — supports a more natural sleep-wake rhythm
🐾 Activity during the day — mental and physical stimulation
🚶 Short evening walk — signals to the body that night is coming
And daily internal support — Lolahemp Golden Drops. Hemp for nervous system balance, MCT oil to fuel brain function, L-theanine for calm, turmeric for a healthy inflammatory response.
Trusted by over 100,000 dog owners and counting.
👉 Shop the drops at lolahemp.com or link in bio 🌿
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