Sleepless

[Delphinus]

Hi all,

I don't think I knew this group existed (prolly a good thing, as I'd be here all the time!), but when I was thinking of who I could ask for advice, something said check out and see if there is a place for pets on DU.

So, my problem is my little dachshund, 9-years old, is no longer sleeping through the night. I don't know - maybe the time change did something (I know it f*cks me up), but 4 AM comes and she's awake. It's been going on for about two weeks now, which is why I question if it's DST (can't remember if this happened last year or not).

I am at my wit's end as I can't exist on 5 hours of sleep. I went to the Health Food store and got a flower essence remedy for pets that was a calming agent - it worked one night, but hasn't since.

Any suggestions?

[Sanity Claws]

1. I look forward to hearing suggestions too

One of my cats starting mewing very early this morning, waking me up from a sound sleep. I think he's excited at seeing the birds outside.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Perhaps you can feed him later in the evening?..or perhaps take him on a long walk late in the day.

As for cats..I beleive that is a lost cause. They are nocturnal animals. I know that mine get up and prowl around during the night, and then come back to the bed...If you have a cat that is mewing..perhaps the late feeding might help with that too.

[Delphinus]

3. I do wish she was a

"grazer" instead of a "wolfer"!

I'm going to try a bedtime snack tonight and see if that works. Even when she gets me up at 4, I don't feed her until 5. All I do is lay there and freaking yell - trying to make her stay awake since I can't go back to sleep. I'm up at 5:30 - so 5 would not impact me as greatly as 4.

Beyond being physically, mentally, and emotionally tired, I'm simply tired of being angry with her. That's just not the kind of relationship we have.

As for the walk, since she's gotten me up so early, I've been taking her out for a little over a mile walk before the sun even comes up. By the time I'm done with work, I'm wiped so, in that respect, it's worked out well.

Thanks for what you shared, BrklynLiberal. It's much appreciated. :)

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Sounds like what she needs is a treadmill.....

:rofl:

I do really understand about being tired of having those angry feelings toward her.
I have gone thru that with one of my cats. The only male..he seems to enjoy harassing one of my 4 females, and it was getting tiresome in the middle of the night. I started locking him out of the bedroom at night..which was sad for both of us, since he is a real cuddler, and I am crazy about him. But his behavior was causing so much stress to the other cat, and therefore to me, that I felt I had no choice.
He is a bit better know that he knows he will be thrown out of the bedroom if he starts trouble...but he still has some nights that he misbehaves.

Keep me posted on how you are progressing.

[Grateful for Hope]

5. This made me laugh out loud!

Our furbabies are really like little kids, aren't they?

Reminds me of my daughter telling my two-year-old grandson that he will go into time out if he doesn't stop upsetting his little brother. And, he REALLY hates time out, so he stops!

[Delphinus]

6. I know!

She sleeps with me and my bed seems really lonesome without her right there cuddled up next to me. I moved her bed to my study and made her sleep there last night.

It was 4 AM again, even WITH a bedtime snack, so I'm going to work late and not feed her until later (by 30 or 45 minutes). I was at least able to go back to sleep and didn't lay there yelling at her, so that in itself is progress!

I had her urine checked at the doctor's yesterday, just to be sure there wasn't a UTI issue going on and I also went back to the pet store and got some treats that have lavender and chamomile in it, which the guy there swears by.

I'm feeling better - like I know we'll get through this - it just isn't going to happen as quickly as I'd like.

[Grateful for Hope]

7. I do hope things get better for you, Delphinus

There is nothing more miserable than constant fatigue.

[Delphinus]

8. Thank you, Hope.

:hug:

[IowaGirl]

9. Have you tried one of those back packs with weights in it to tire her out?

That's kind of what I'm planning to try if my new little pup turns out to be too hyper. So far, I've been able to wear her out by just playing fetch and tug with her a lot but the dog whisperer uses those packs a lot.

[China_cat]

10. Not for dogs with long backs

such as bassetts and daschunds. Too much danger of spinal damage.

[IowaGirl]

11. Good point.