Many dog owners wonder if they should leave a light on for their dog when everyone goes to bed. There are some good reasons to consider doing this, but also reasons you may want to keep your home dark at night.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about leaving a light on for your dog at night:
- It can help with separation anxiety and fear of the dark in some dogs
- Older dogs may benefit from extra lighting for navigation
- Puppies feel more secure with a nightlight
- Too much light can disrupt sleep cycles in dogs like humans
- Consider using dim lighting rather than bright lights
- Try leaving a light on for the first few nights in a new home, then gradually darken the room over time
Does my dog need a light on at night?
The decision about whether or not to leave a light on for your dog at night will depend on your individual pet and their needs. Here are some factors to consider:
- Age: Older dogs may benefit from extra lighting to see at night when navigating around the home. Senior dogs are also more prone to disorientation and cognitive dysfunction syndrome, so lighting can help reduce anxiety.
- New environment: When bringing home a new dog or moving to a new house, leaving a light on at night can help them adjust and feel more secure those first few nights.
- House training: For dogs still being housetrained, some light can make it easier for them to see and find the outdoor potty area if needed at night.
- Fear of the dark: Some dogs are afraid of the dark due to lack of vision at night or reasons we don’t fully understand. Leaving a dim nightlight on can help alleviate this fear.
- Separation anxiety: Dogs with separation anxiety may associate the household going to bed with being left alone, triggering anxiety. A light can provide comfort.
- Natural preference: Some dogs simply seem to sleep better or prefer having a light on, while others are not bothered by complete darkness.
Benefits of leaving a light on
Here are some of the benefits that providing some light at night can offer:
- Minimizes separation anxiety in dogs afraid of being alone in the dark
- Lessens disorientation for senior dogs who may pace and vocalize at night
- Helps très anxious or fearful dogs feel more secure
- Allows puppies and new rescues to see their surroundings at night
- Can aid house training for young dogs needing to potty at night
Leaving a nightlight on for your dog is similar to allowing a young child to sleep with a room light on. It can ease the transition to nighttime when the household is quiet and settled down for bed. This is especially helpful for dogs new to your home trying to adjust.
Potential downsides to leaving lights on
While there are benefits, there are also a few potential downsides to leaving lights on for your dog at night:
- The light can keep you and other household members awake
- Too much light may disrupt your dog’s circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycle like humans
- The light can create shadows that may scare anxious dogs
- Your dog may not settle down as easily with the light keeping them awake
Try to avoid very bright overhead lighting if possible. The light source does not need to illuminate the entire room – just enough for your dog to not feel in complete darkness.
Tips for lighting at night
Here are some tips on providing lighting at night tailored to your dog’s needs:
- For senior dogs, place nightlights along staircases or dark hallways to light the way
- Try a dim lamp in your puppy’s sleeping area those first few nights
- Spotlights or outdoor security lights aimed at entrances can help dogs out pottying at night
- For anxious dogs, use plug-in nightlights rather than very bright lights
- Place the light low to the ground where your dog sleeps, rather than overhead lighting
- If crate training, cover most of the crate but leave a little area illuminated
- Purchase special “dog lights” designed to provide gentle lighting at night
Slowly transition to darkness
For new rescue dogs or puppies using lighting at night as a transitional tool, gradually make the room darker over a period of 2-4 weeks. Start with fairly bright lighting, then begin using lower wattage bulbs, then nightlights, before finally removing the lighting altogether. This gradual process can ease the transition to total darkness.
Observe your dog’s preferences
Pay attention to your dog’s reactions to determine if a nightlight helps them settle versus causing sleep disruption. Some signs your dog may benefit from lighting at night include:
- Pacing, whining, or barking when the household goes to bed
- Seeming anxious moving around in dark areas of the home
- Having accidents overnight in new homes, especially puppies
- Difficulty settling down in their crate or bed at night
If your dog seems distracted, overly energetic, or has trouble sleeping with lights on, they may do better in complete darkness.
Using dog cameras
Pet cameras that provide video of your dog at night when you are not home are another excellent option. This way you can observe your dog’s nighttime behavior and see if lighting helps or hinders their ability to rest and relax. Cameras also help monitor for separation anxiety.
Talk to your vet
If your senior dog is very anxious at night or your new puppy is having accidents, speak to your veterinarian. They can provide additional insight on your dog’s needs and whether special lighting could be helpful during the adjustment period. Vets may have additional recommendations beyond night lights to help dogs rest easy.
Safety precautions
When leaving any type of light on for your dog at night, be sure to take precautions against hazards:
- Avoid leaving lights where flammable materials like blankets and beds may overheat bulbs
- Keep all lighting out of reach of your dog so they don’t chew cords
- Never leave candles unattended around pets
- Use clamp or clip lights securely fastened so bulbs do not dislodge
- Check that all lighting is designed for indoor use per the manufacturer
Other options beyond lighting
While night lights can be helpful in many cases, they are not a magic cure-all for dogs struggling to settle at night. Some other options to try in conjunction with or instead of lighting:
- Playing calming music or leaving the TV on softly at night
- Providing a cozy enclosed bed that feels like a den
- Allowing snuggle time on your bed right before you turn in for the night
- Using an Adaptil diffuser with calming pheromones
- Leaving worn t-shirts in your dog’s sleeping area so they smell your scent
- Using an anxiety wrap designed to provide continuous gentle pressure
- Exercising your dog well before bedtime to promote tiredness
The takeaway on dog night lights
Leaving a light on for many dogs at night is a smart strategy to reduce anxiety and help them through big transitions. While it should not be used as an indefinite crutch, lighting can be an excellent short-term tool while your dog adjusts. Pay attention to your individual dog’s preferences and reactions to determine if a light helps or hinders their ability to settle down and sleep at night.
With a little trial and error, you can strike the right balance to meet both your dog’s needs and your own for restful nights. Just be sure to take reasonable safety precautions based on the type of lighting used.
FAQs on night lighting for dogs
Why do some dogs prefer lights on at night?
Reasons why some dogs seem to sleep better or settle down easier with lights on can include: fear of the dark or shadows, separation anxiety being alone as the household sleeps, inability to see at night in a new home, and comforting feelings of security the light provides.
What kind of light is best to leave on for dogs?
The best lighting to leave on for dogs are: nightlights, small lamps aimed away from sleep areas, dog specific LED lights, or outdoor security lights. Avoid bright overhead lights. Dim, indirect light is ideal.
Where is the best place to position night lights for dogs?
Good placement for night lighting includes: near the crate or bed, along pathways to doors for pottying, at staircases and entries for old dogs, and in corners to provide ambient light. Keep lights low and out of direct eyesight.
Can too much light at night cause problems for dogs?
Just like humans, too much light exposure at night can make it harder for dogs to settle down and sleep. Their bodies expect darkness and lighting disrupts circadian rhythms. Light can also create confusing shadows.
How long should I leave lights on for a new dog at night?
Provide ample lighting the first 2-4 weeks when bringing home a new dog or puppy. Then gradually reduce lighting over time as they adjust to their new environment before stopping use of lights altogether.
Conclusion
Leaving a nightlight or low light on for your dog can provide comfort and security during times of transition or anxiety. While not necessary for all dogs, those struggling to settle or sleep may benefit greatly from gentle lighting when the house is quiet and dark. Pay attention to your individual dog’s preferences and adjust accordingly for restful nights ahead.