If your dogâs restlessness and panting only happen at night, itâs possible that your pooch is scared or uncomfortable being alone. Cognitive dysfunction is a common reason for night time waking in our older dogs. Although much of the panting and trembling done by older dogs has a benign cause, there is no guarantee that such behaviors in an elderly dog are harmless. Obesity can also lead older dogs to pant excessively. Also, old dogs may suffer from cognitive dysfunction, which may cause it to ⦠My dog Joey (retriever/lab mix, 7yrs old, approx 70 lbs) has recently started to pant and pace constantly for the past 4 nights. He Doesnât Feel Good. Panting in older dogs is more common than in younger ones. Dogs donât have a great means of communicating with humans that theyâre in pain. Panting, pacing, restless dog! There are different approaches to helping a panting/pacing dog, depending on why theyâre doing it. 1. Read through the following sections and see if you can hone in on why your dog is so restless. Any dogs that are between eight to fifteen years old may suffer this. Let's get you talking to the Vet. Advise Please! Why is my dog panting and restless at night? Dogs that feel discomfort may pace, pant, vocalize or be restless and these signs can be most pronounced at night. He has barely slept and seems ⦠What else should you look for here? Advise please! This is a less immediate problem, but it is still a major health concern. Respiratory Tract Disorders Problems affecting the upper airways may cause panting. Other symptoms that can help you to know that pain is the reason why your dog is panting extremely are showing signs of restlessness; you will also notice that it is whimpering to an irritating extent, shows reluctance in sleeping in their dog beds and constantly bite or ⦠If your dog is old or was diagnosed with a terminal disease, keep in contact with your vet or seek the aid of a hospice vet. ... Change in Behavior: Dogs may pant, get up, and change resting spots frequently, lick their paws, or vocalize. A dog in pain can feel restless and exhibit an inability to get comfortable and lie still. Panting, Pacing, Restless Dog! The panting may be indicative of cognitive changes. This is generally a slow, progressive disorder that is similar to dementia in people. My dog is panting and restless for the past 5 hrs and following me everywhere. In addition to increased panting, your older dog can also be seen pacing, bumping into things and circling. When an older dog wonât stop pacing or is restless at night over time, these can be early warning signs of canine cognitive disorder. It is cold in ohio and my vet can't get him in till wed AM. As stated previously, all elderly dogs are susceptible to CCD. I took his rectal temp since he is also very warm to touch and it was 38.2 c or 100.76 f. He is a 6 yr old chihuahua. Additionally, the condition affects every canine differently. ... Then, she got a bit restless, lifting her wobbly head around. If you notice your older dog panting regularly and you know that he's overweight, it's a good idea to consult with a vet on different ways that you can work to remove your pet's excess weight. Veterinarian's Assistant: I know panting can be worrying.