Why does my dog sleep in the shower?

Dogs sleep in the shower for several reasons. One of the most common reasons is due to their age. When dogs get older, they tend to forget their routine and often find new places to sleep. It can also be a sign of arthritis. Warm weather can also make your dog sleep in colder areas like the shower.

3 reasons why dogs sleep in the shower

Dogs are animals that love having a routine. They even get stressed if their meal time is slightly changed or when they transfer to a new place, and they must adjust again.

This is why if your dog sleeps in the shower, assuming that this isn’t their normal behavior is something that you might take note of.

It’s not necessarily a cause for panic, but knowing the possible causes of your dog’s new behavior can help them if needed.

Confusion caused by aging

Like humans, dogs also experience confusion in their daily activities when they age.

This is a symptom of canine cognitive dysfunction, more commonly known as doggie dementia.

If your furry friend frequently does things they usually don’t, this might be caused by this. An example of this is sleeping in the shower, even if they have a designated sleeping place.

Other symptoms of canine dementia include:

• Incontinence.
• Abrupt change in appetite.
• Lower interest in social interactions.
• Growling at owners without provocation.
• Sudden drop in energy and activity levels.

You can delay the effects of doggie dementia by keeping your dog mentally active. This can be done through exercises, dog-friendly toys and feeding puzzles.

Heat exhaustion

If your pup frequently stays outside for both work and play, then there’s a chance they might get heat exhaustion. Since showers are generally cold, dogs tend to stay inside to lower their temperature.

This is especially true in the UAE and the GCC countries, where temperatures can be too much for canines.

If this is the case, you might want to help keep your dog’s temperature by prohibiting them from playing outside. 

If it can’t be helped, you can provide them with a consistent water supply in their playing area. You can do this by using a water dispenser.

Arthritis

If your dogs have painful joints caused by arthritis, they might choose to stay in cold places such as your shower floor.

Arthritis will give your dog discomfort and inflammation, usually soothed by putting their joints in cold areas. While it’s true that their pain can be alleviated for a while, it’s essential to know that extreme levels of cold or longer exposure to low temperatures can make their arthritis worse.

If you think this is the case, it’s best to visit the vet so you can purchase the necessary medication and mobility support tools your pup might need.