Sometimes an older dog or cat will get up in the middle of the night and begin pacing, walking compulsively, or even circling. They may also vocalize or caterwaul as though they’re calling out to someone.
People often call this **“sundowning.”** I’ve never really understood the name, but whatevs.
There are several possible reasons for this behavior.
One very common cause is **pain from chronic arthritis** — not necessarily overwhelming pain, but enough discomfort that lying down for several hours makes them sore. They get up to “walk it off,” and sometimes they just keep walking. The vocalizing can also simply mean, **“I hurt.”**
For that reason, managing the arthritis — or even trying an arthritis treatment to see whether the nighttime behavior improves — is often a very reasonable first step.
Sometimes the pacing and caterwauling are related to **anxiety**, especially as an older pet begins losing its hearing or eyesight. That kind of infirmity can create a genuine sense of confusion or distress. In those cases, we may try something to **help the pet sleep** or reduce the anxiety.
Finding the right amount is often a balancing act at first: too much versus too little. But usually, after a little adjustment, you figure out how much medication helps the pet settle down, relax, and sleep comfortably.
Options sometimes used include **diazepam, gabapentin, Bach’s Rescue Remedy, trazodone, acepromazine, THC Delta-8**, and others.
Another option is **AKTIVAIT**, which is intended to help with cognitive decline or dementia-like symptoms in older pets. It isn’t really a “drug” in the traditional sense; it’s a nutritional supplement designed to support brain function.
We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from owners who feel that AKTIVAIT reduces the nighttime pacing, vocalization, confusion, and other symptoms commonly associated with sundowning.
