Difficulty Sleeping or Altered Sleep Patterns

Your pet with heart disease may not sleep well at night or be restless, and some dogs may no longer want to sleep under the covers. In pets with congestive heart failure, fluid buildup causes this disrupted sleep as breathing becomes more difficult. Dogs may sleep on their chest instead of their side or back. They may wake up in the middle of the night and seek out fresh air near a window. Close observation of their breathing will help you identify early changes in your pet.

If your pet is being treated for heart failure, a change in breathing or sleeping patterns may indicate a need for a change in medication.