What to do if your dog or puppy whines at night?

Dogs communicate with us in different ways, one of which is whining or whimpering. Such behavior usually indicates that something is wrong. But what does it mean when a dog whimpers at night? And how can you help?

In this article, we will explore various reasons why a puppy or adult dog may begin to whimper at night, and what you should do.

Why dogs whimper at night

Crying and whimpering are part of a dog’s communication. It’s completely normal and important that they whimper, because it allows us to understand what they are trying to communicate. Here are the most common reasons why a dog will cry or whimper:

1. Medical issue: They whimper from pain and need veterinary assistance as soon as possible.
2. Demands your attention: They are calling you to show them something because they want to go for a walk or because they want to spend more time with you.
3. Asks for your help: Perhaps they need to go outside for a break, they are hungry, or they need more water.
4. Separation anxiety: When dogs are left alone for too long, they develop separation anxiety and destructive behavior may start.
5. They are lonely: Some dogs will also whimper or cry to see if there is anyone in the house because they feel lonely. This is also a symptom of separation anxiety.
6. They are excited: Dogs will also whimper or cry when you come home from work or school because they are excited and happy to see you again.

Why your puppy whimpers all night

A puppy may cry or whimper at night — it’s normal. This is because they are used to a different home, where they sleep with their mother, brothers, and sisters. Now they are alone in a new place with strangers. It’s understandable that they would be a bit shy and scared on the first night. That being said, here are the most common reasons why puppies cry or whimper at night:

1. They are lonely and scared. The first and most common reason is that your dog is lonely and scared. The first couple of days in a new home with new people and away from family can be a big challenge for a puppy. They might cry at night, missing their family, you, or simply because they are sad.
2. They are hungry or want to drink. Another reason your puppy may whimper or cry all night is that they are hungry or thirsty. A puppy’s diet is a bit different from an adult dog’s diet, so you need to make sure they consume enough calories and the right nutritious food so they can grow healthy.
3. They are in pain. Finally, your puppy may cry because they are in pain due to illness. If they also show other dog illness symptoms, you should take them to the vet as soon as possible. Remember, puppies can be more vulnerable to certain diseases and cannot cope with symptoms for a long time.

How to Stop Your Puppy From Whining at Night

Now that we have explained the most common reasons why your puppy may cry and whine all night, let’s look at what you can do to help. Here are our simple tips to make your puppy feel better:

1. To rule out any medical issues, take them to the vet for a checkup.
2. Ensure they are eating enough during the day.
3. Place their bed in your room, at least for the first few weeks.
4. Make sure your room is comfortable for puppies and conducive to sleep.

Why an Adult Dog Whines at Night

Adult dogs usually will not whine and cry at night as they are used to you and your home. However, there are other reasons why an adult dog might start whining at night. Let’s look at the most common reasons why adult dogs cry or whine at night:

1. They’re calling for your attention. The first reason they might whine is to call for you. They could be calling you for a variety of reasons: perhaps there is noise in the yard and they’re alerting you, or maybe they’re hungry or need to go outside to relieve themselves. We should not ignore their calls as something could be wrong, but we need to understand the root of the issue to prevent it from happening again in the future.
2. They’re depressed. If your dog has recently experienced a sudden change in their life, such as the death of a loved one or a move to a different home, they may be suffering from depression. If this is the case, there are several things you can do to help them, such as allowing them to sleep in your room so they don’t feel lonely at night.
3. They’re experiencing separation anxiety. As with depression, your dog may be experiencing separation anxiety. This happens when your dog is used to being around you all the time, and when they are left alone, they start to worry and display destructive behavior.
4. They’re experiencing physical pain. Lastly, your dog may whine because of physical pain they’re experiencing from an underlying illness. If they are also displaying other symptoms, you need to take them to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

How to Stop an Adult Dog from Whining at Night

Now that we’ve identified the main reasons why an adult dog whines at night, let’s discuss what you can do to help them. Here are our tips:

1. The first thing you should do is take them to the vet to rule out any medical issues.
2. Before bedtime, make sure all windows are closed, curtains are drawn, and doors are locked.
3. Make their sleeping area cozy and warm so they can rest all night.
4. If needed, let them sleep in your room so they don’t feel lonely at night. You can also give them a blanket with your scent, as it will make them feel closer to you.
5. Ensure that your dog leads a healthy lifestyle, including quality nutrition, sufficient physical exercise, and plenty of attention!

We hope these tips will help you find the reason why your dog whines at night and what you can do to help. However, if you’ve tried these tips and their behavior hasn’t changed, you may consider consulting a dog behavior specialist to get to the root of the problem.