Behaviour & Mood

Why Is My Dog Pacing and Restless?

5 min read Vet-informed guidance

A dog that paces, circles or just can’t seem to settle is often a worried or uncomfortable dog. Restlessness is a signal worth paying attention to — it can be behavioural, but sometimes it points to discomfort or a health issue. Here’s how to think it through.

Common causes of restlessness

Pacing and an inability to settle most often come from stress or anxiety, but they can also reflect pain or discomfort, needing the toilet, too little physical or mental exercise, or — in older dogs — age-related cognitive changes.

What to look for

Notice the context and any other signs.

Pacing, circling or repeatedly resettling
Unable to relax even in a calm environment
Panting or whining without an obvious cause
Restlessness that’s worse at night
Other changes — appetite, toileting or behaviour

How to help

Cover the basics, then support calm.

Make sure they’ve had enough exercise and enrichment
Create a calm, comfortable, predictable environment
Give a safe space to settle in
Use calming support for anxious dogs
Rule out discomfort, especially in older dogs

Signs to look for

PacingCan’t settlePantingWorse at night

When to see your vet. See your vet if restlessness is new, persistent, or comes with other changes — pain and several medical conditions can cause it, and it’s important to rule these out, especially in senior dogs.