No Sleep for the Bulldog: How Illness and Stress Affect Sleep Quality

My two dogs, Roland the English bulldog and Mina the chiweenie, both came down with canine flu just before Christmas. Brachycephalic dogs are prone to breathing difficulties, so Roland’s recovery has been a long and exhausting road, with plenty of sleepless nights for him, my wife, and me.

One night in particular stands out. It was a night I will probably never forget.

That night, my wife and I were sound asleep, with Roland snoozing in his crate on my side of the bed like he does every night. Suddenly, Roland woke up, making a noise I can only describe as this: a seal being attacked by a great white shark. I had never heard him make that sound before. It was not just a cry. It was a scream.

Not a bark. Not a whine. A full-on, underwater, documentary kind of scream. The kind of noise that makes you sit straight up in bed and immediately wonder two things. First, is my dog okay? Second, why does it sound like a marine mammal is fighting for its life in my bedroom?

My wife and I rushed over to his crate to check on him. We petted him and tried to calm him down, and within a few minutes, he was fast asleep again. As far as we could tell, there was nothing physically wrong with him. In fact, within moments, he went right back to his snot-filled bulldog snore that had become the usual since he became ill, while my wife and I just lay there awake, staring at the ceiling and wondering what on earth had just happened.

That got my wife thinking. Did he just have a night terror? And that got me wondering, can dogs have night terrors? So, I started doing some research, and what I found was very interesting.

When the Body Can’t Fully Relax

When a sick dog suddenly cries out, thrashes, or wakes up confused in the middle of the night, it’s easy to assume they’re having a nightmare. But in many cases, what looks like a “night terror” isn’t about fear at all. It’s about the body struggling to rest while it heals.

Illness is stressful. And stress affects sleep.

Do You Sleep Soundly When You’re Sick?

When a dog isn’t feeling well, whether from an infection, upset stomach, joint pain, or other issue, the body shifts into recovery mode. Hormones change. The immune system activates. Discomfort may increase.

Research in both humans and animals shows that inflammation and elevated stress hormones can fragment sleep and alter REM cycles.

Think about how well you sleep when you have the flu. You don’t. And if you’re lucky to fall asleep, you probably toss and turn all night. Dogs experience something similar. Their sleep may become lighter and easier to interrupt.

That can lead to:

• Sudden yelping or whining
• More intense twitching
• Startled waking
• Difficulty settling back down

Pain Is a Common Cause

Pain is one of the most common reasons for nighttime disruption.

Studies in veterinary medicine show that chronic pain, especially orthopedic pain, can alter rest patterns and reduce sleep quality.

When a dog shifts position during sleep and feels discomfort, that can trigger a sudden wake-up. If nighttime episodes increase during illness, it may simply mean your dog isn’t fully comfortable yet.

Illness Affects More Than We Realize

Even if a dog seems relatively normal during the day, being sick places stress on the whole system. Illness activates the stress response system, increasing cortisol and sympathetic nervous system activity. Stress and inflammation are both known to interfere with normal sleep patterns.

Sleep is when the body repairs tissue, supports immune function, and restores balance. Thus, ongoing sleep disruption may slow recovery.

What This Means for Pet Owners

Rather than asking, “Is my dog having nightmares?” it may be more helpful to ask:

• Has this started since they became sick?
• Could they be uncomfortable?
• Could they still be in pain?

 If episodes are frequent and severe, please speak to your vet. But in many cases, night disturbances improve as the dog recovers from illness.

Why This Matters for the Pet Industry

For companies developing pet foods and supplements, and for industry partners like BSM Partners who guide formulation, brand, and product positioning, this highlights an important paradigm shift. Sleep isn’t just behavior. It can be a signal of whole-body health.

Rather than leaning on emotional “calming” claims, brands can focus on supporting recovery and comfort. When nutrition and thoughtful product design are connected to real outcomes like sleep quality, the conversation moves beyond marketing claims and toward meaningful support.

When we pay attention to how a dog rests, we can learn a lot about how they’re healing.

Roland eventually got over the flu, and thankfully, the late-night seal impression only returned one more time. The nasal congestion, though, has stuck around, which we’re still trying to address. Some nights, he’s back to his usual bulldog snoring, which at this point has become part of the soundtrack of our house.

However, some nights when the house is quiet, I still find myself listening intently for his nose rattle to begin.

Sometimes the quiet hours tell us the most about how our dogs are really doing.

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About the Author

As Vice President of Product Innovation at BSM Partners, David Perez brings nearly 20 years of experience in the pet food industry, specializing in formulation and product development. He has played a key role in driving innovation, developing products that align with evolving industry trends and consumer needs. Always looking ahead, he enjoys tackling challenges and finding creative solutions that push the industry forward. Outside of work, David can be found competing on the tennis court, composing music in his home studio, or enjoying a good scary movie—always bringing the same curiosity and energy to everything he does.