Last Updated on September 16, 2022
The reason why your dog is twitching or jumping up suddenly while lying down could be one of several reasons. Sometimes, your dog doesn’t feel comfortable lying on its side and is struggling to find a comfortable sleeping position. It might be that the ground is too hard for it, or your dog is experiencing medical problems that make it uncomfortable. The best way to solve this problem is to see your vet.
Arthritis
There are several reasons your dog may jump up suddenly when lying down, and they may not be related to health problems. Some physical conditions can lead to sudden jump-ups, including anal gland problems, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, kidney stones, fleas, ticks, urinary tract infections, and high blood pressure. Other possible causes of sudden jump-ups in dogs include high blood pressure and a slipped disc.
A medical cause for sudden jumping may be osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of the joints that affects older dogs. Healthy joints are covered in cartilage that makes movement easy and smooth. However, if this cartilage wears down, the dog will have pain whenever they move. Consequently, the dog will jump up suddenly when lying down to shake off the pain and get some rest. Sometimes, this problem is a sign of a medical condition, and a visit to a vet can help determine the exact cause.
If your dog is prone to sudden jumping while sleeping, she may have a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections often develop in older dogs and prevent a dog from holding urine for long periods. While this condition isn’t life-threatening, it can cause your dog to jump up intermittently as a way to relieve herself. A bloated stomach can also lead to sudden action. A dog with a bloated stomach will be incontinent and will be unable to lie down comfortably.
Kidney stones
If your dog is jumping up suddenly from lying down, it may be a sign of a kidney stone. Kidney stones develop due to an imbalance in blood or an infection in the kidney. If your dog has broken or large stones, he may experience pain, vomiting, fever, abdominal discomfort, or even traces of blood in the urine. Your vet can prescribe medication and make necessary dietary changes.
The symptoms of this condition are similar to those of human high blood pressure. Aside from pain, your dog may also experience difficulty sleeping, heart murmurs, and nosebleeds. In addition to jumping up, your dog may be prone to guarding or protesting while sleeping. If your dog seems to be gassy, you may need to give him an antacid to reduce farts.
Physical causes of your dog’s sudden jumping include anal gland problems, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, and kidney stones. Some dogs may also be prone to jumping up when spooked or frightened. Other physical causes of sudden jumping include: hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, slipped disc, and fleas and ticks. You may also see a doctor if you notice your dog jumping up when lying down.
Pancreatitis
Many different reasons can cause your dog to jump up suddenly when lying down. A dog with a urinary tract infection will have a hard time holding its urine for long periods of time. This will cause your dog to jump up every now and then, but the action looks more like a sudden act than it actually is. In some cases, a dog may be experiencing bloat in the abdominal region. This is painful for the dog, making it difficult to lie down.
Fortunately, most of these reasons are easily treatable. Dogs with a sudden jumpy behavior may be suffering from a medical condition called osteoarthritis. This degenerative disease affects older dogs. Healthy joints are full of cartilage. As they get older, this cartilage wears away, causing your dog to jerk or jump up. In some cases, your dog may simply be spooked. However, in other cases, this behavior can be caused by high blood pressure, kidney stones, and osteoarthritis.
If your dog isn’t getting comfortable in his sleeping area, he may be prone to a sleeping problem. When he’s trying to get comfortable, he may twitch or jump up. It could be something as simple as a hard floor, or as serious as a medical problem like arthritis. No matter what the cause, it’s important to get to the bottom of it quickly.
Excessive gas
Your dog may have excess gas in his stomach and intestines. This condition is also called “flatus” and occurs when gas escapes the dog’s intestines through the anus. A vet can recommend a specific diet for your dog or determine if there’s an underlying health condition causing this behavior. Here are some steps to help your dog rest well during a nap.
If your dog is jumping up suddenly when lying down, he or she could be experiencing a urinary tract infection, a common medical condition affecting older dogs. These infections make the dog incapable of holding urine for long periods of time. While jumping up may seem sudden, it is actually a result of a bloated stomach. A bloated stomach causes abdominal discomfort, which makes it difficult for your dog to lie down comfortably.
Another cause for sudden jumping in dogs is osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of the joints. Generally, healthy joints have cartilage, which makes movement smooth and easy. When the cartilage wears down, movement becomes painful and unnatural for your dog. So, while your dog may be acting out his dream, you may be doing the same. In either case, it’s important to seek medical attention for your dog.
Focal seizure
Your dog might jump up when it lies down for a number of different reasons. One possible cause is physical health. Some dog breeds may experience this condition more frequently than others. Examples of physical conditions include osteoarthritis, slipped discs, or anal gland problems. A dog that has this condition can also experience pain and bloating. Other causes of sudden jumping up when lying down include anal gland problems, urinary tract infections, and nightmares.
Sleep behavior disorder is another common reason why dogs suddenly jump up when lying down. This condition is similar to a human sleeping disorder, wherein nerves get compressed. A dog with this disorder will cry out in pain if you try to press on one of these nerves while it’s asleep. If you wake up a dog that is suddenly waking up during the night, the problem may be severe and require immediate medical attention.
The main reason for your dog’s sudden waking up from a nap is because he or she is scared. A dog will naturally remove itself from the location that has scared him or her. But sometimes a dog can’t help it and jumps up while lying down. The first thing you should do is call the vet to discuss the cause of the jump up. Your vet will most likely prescribe potassium bromide, a medication that can take up to three months to be absorbed by your dog.
Excessive gas in dog’s system
In many cases, excessive gas in a dog’s system is a sign of a more serious medical condition. This condition, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus, occurs when the stomach is filled with gas and swells up. This condition cuts off the supply of blood and oxygen in the digestive tract, causing your dog to suddenly jump up when lying down.
One remedy for bloat in dogs is ginger. Ginger, which has a pleasant aroma and is used as a human remedy, can also help your dog. Ginger is given to dogs at a rate of 10 to 25 mg per pound of body weight. Although it does have a little heat, ginger can be given in supplement pills or capsules to reduce the symptoms of gas.
If the condition persists, your dog should see a veterinarian. Gastric dilatation-volvulus is a potentially life-threatening emergency that affects small dogs. Gastric dilatation-volvulus is caused by excessive gas in the dog’s stomach, causing the intestine to twist and block. If the condition is not treated, it could lead to death.
Another symptom of gas is your dog’s inability to sleep. If you notice your dog suddenly jumping up while lying down, you should consult a vet. He may prescribe potassium bromide or Clonzepam, but these medicines can take months to work. It’s important to note that your dog’s symptoms are often worse when he has an overdose of these drugs.
About The Author
Gauthier Daniau is a freelance problem solver. He first discovered his knack for trouble-shooting when he was still in diapers - and hasn't looked back since. When he's not slaying zombies or internet ninjas, GAUTHIER enjoys working with animals of all shapes and sizes. He's also something of a social media expert and loves to get lost in numbers and figures.