There's no need to worry — your dog can see in the dark. It's safe to take your pet for a stroll in the evening hours or let them roam around your house unsupervised at night. In fact, your dog's vision, in some instances, is better than a human's would be.
Is it OK for dogs to be in the dark? For short periods of time, yes. If you're going to be out for the evening, leaving a light on can make your home seem more “normal” in your absence, and it may help your dog relax if he's prone to separation anxiety.
Obviously, his stronger sense of smell is useful, but it's also because dogs can see movement and light in the dark, and other low-light situations, better than humans. They are assisted by the high number of light-sensitive rods within the retina of their eyes.
When encountering dark backyards, late-night walks, or a shadowy room, some dogs get anxious. They might avoid these areas, and even hurt themselves trying to escape them in the dark.
While they can still get around better than humans in total darkness due to their other senses, they will not be able to see. Although it's rare to have complete darkness, it's helpful to turn on a nightlight so your dog can see better at night.
Some puppies and dogs prefer a nightlight. They find it comforting. But for others, the light can provide too much stimulation and keep them awake and busy. For those dogs, make the house dark and quiet.
It's usually a good idea to leave a couple lights on when you're out of the house anyway – it's an excellent burglar deterrent, particularly if your dog is much cuter than he is intimidating! Depending on how long you're out, you may want to invest in a light timer.
Little research has been done on SAD or mood disorders in pets. One survey by the People's Dispensary of Sick Animals (PDSA) in the United Kingdom showed that owners do think that their pets get depressed during darker months. But the study was subjective, relying more on human perception instead of scientific method.
For instance, dogs have very sensitive hearing, and as a result, they can become easily restless at night from loud noises. Thunderstorms and fireworks are several examples of loud noises that are known to exacerbate a dog's anxiety. Exposure to different environments may also cause them to be fearful.
For a dog or a puppy, being separated from people can cause the pet to have canine separation anxiety. Because dogs have such a loving and loyal nature, they're very attached to their owners. But some dogs may develop an attachment which is unusually strong.
Whether you leave a light on for your pet will very much depend on your dog and what they have become used to. Social dogs often don't like to be left alone in the dark whilst others don't really mind.
Dogs can see better in the dark than humans, but the dark could change your dog's behaviour. Objects dogs see as normal in the daylight, may look scary in the dark. For example, someone wearing all black clothing may frighten your dog in the dark, so, it's important to keep your dog on a lead.
Lead walking
If you do decide to let them off the lead, do so in well-lit areas or in places your dog is familiar with so they're less likely to get lost. At any rate, don't try new walking locations when it's dark; save those for daylight hours.
It's when they feel most secure and comfortable. No wonder they try to replicate that feeling of warmth and coziness with you even after they grow up! Your dog wanting to sleep next to you is also a sign of affection and closeness. It means they like your company and consider you a member of the pack.
“Are dogs afraid of the dark?” is an ever-Googleable question, but it's rare that dogs actually have a standalone fear of the dark. Chances are, your veterinarian won't diagnose your pup with “nyctophobia,” even if it might seem like darkness is the problem.
Dogs process televisions and screens differently than humans do, but it turns out they do often recognize what they are seeing and hearing. Some dogs couldn't be bothered to watch TV, but, in other cases, pet parents report that their dogs are enthralled by screens.
It turns out that there are many reasons why dogs sleep on the floor rather than on their cozy dog beds, ranging from not feeling comfortable in it to wanting to protect their family.
It may be that your dog is more nervous at night, or that due to the quiet, he hears perceived threats more easily. Your dog may be on alert for predators, a real fear in the wild, or may be trying to do his duty and protect his family.
Plus, they spend hours alone while we go off to work or to run errands. So, do dogs get bored? Absolutely! Doggy boredom can lead to problem behaviors, but more importantly an unhappy dog.
Reviewed by Dr Jill McMaster BVM&S MBA MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon and in-house expert at BorrowMyDoggy on 6 June 2023. The short answer is yes. One of the emotions dogs can feel is loneliness. As you may know, dogs are pack animals and social creatures, and for this reason, they don't like spending too much time alone.
Ignoring them at night won't help them build confidence and may make them worse which isn't what anyone wants. They need to be taught how to be independent slowly. We would never recommend ignoring your puppy when they cry at night, especially in their first few nights.
Music as A Companion
Some dogs are filled with anxiety when left alone by their owners. Playing music in the background will not only help them feel less alone, the tunes can help muffle sounds from outside that may cause your pup stress when they are by themselves.