good snacks for dogs before bed
Should I Feed My Dog A Late Night Snack?
You drag yourself from the car to the front door. Its late and today was beyond crazy. Poor Rover must be starving by now.
Is it okay to feed him this late? What happens if this becomes a regular thing? Will he be okay?
Maybe you should consider investing in one of those self-feeder thingies. Would that be a good idea?
It seems the smart people cant really agree on that one.
And what about a snack before bedtime? Is that the same as feeding Rover before bedtime, or is it somehow different?
After all, you have snacks before bedtime all the time, and your poor fur kid looks at you with those please-have-pity-on-me eyes, begging for just one bite of whatever youre having.
Can you share with him? What should he be having?
Weve got you covered. Read on as we tackle these questions and a few extras.
Is it Bad to Feed My Dog Late at Night?
Dogs get their energy through food, just like we do. If we only feed them once a day, or the meals are far apart, the poor fur kids get starved in between meals. This means they dont have the energy to do what they need to do, so theyll probably become lethargic, bored, tired, and depressed. Thats no fun.
When you feed them late at night, they also wont go running around after the meal, so they wont burn off the energy they just consumed with that meal. Yikes. Now, all of that unused energy converts to fat, causing your poor pup to become overweight.
So, no, dont give your pup a meal late at night. Its just not a good idea.
Should I Give My Dog A Treat Before Bed?
Say youre feeding your pup well-spaced meals, so hes not starved during the day. Hes probably also not hungry come bedtime because hes so well fed. But, just like us humans, he might be a bit peckish before bedtime. Can you give him a treat late at night? Would that be so bad?
Turns out, when done right, a bedtime treat isnt such a bad thing. In fact, it might help train your pup to settle down come bedtime. This is definitely useful for those with restless fur kids who dont want to go to bed. Five more minutes, mom?
If you consistently give your fur kid a treat before bedtime, it will train him to expect something yummy when hes about to settle in for the night. You can use this prospect as a training tool, where he associated the treat with going to lie down in his bed and actually going to sleep. Thats a win for both of you!
So, what is a healthy treat? Glad you asked.
What is a Good Bedtime Snack for my Dog?
There are many yummy treats available for dogs, but not all of them are healthy. Heres a list of healthy snacks you can feed your pup before bedtime. Remember that this is just a treat, not a meal. A little goes a long way.
Apples
Popcorn without any butter or salt
Carrots
Blueberries
Is it Okay for My Dog to Sleep After Eating?
If your pup runs around and acts all rowdy after a meal, he might end up with some digestive disturbances, like a tummy ache.
So, keeping calm to let the food settle down isnt a bad idea. Just mind the length of the nap and the time of the meal.
If your pup is going down for the night, he wont be using the energy from the meal he just ate, and thats not healthy (like we said above). But, if its a quick nap in the middle of the day, there seems to be no harm done. Hell still burn off all that energy, and hell be well-rested for it to boot.
What Time Should My Dogs Last Meal Be?
Like humans, dogs should have smaller, regular meals spread throughout the day. A good rule of thumb is to have breakfast around 7, lunch around noon, and dinner by 5pm. That way, your pup still has plenty of time to digest his dinner, burn off some energy, and go potty one last time before heading to bed. It also frees up your time in the evenings, so you guys can spend some quality time together before your fur kid hits the hay.
Note that this is just a suggested timeline your schedule might look different, so adjust things to suit your lifestyle. The main takeaway here is that your pup needs a bit of time between dinner and bedtime to help his body deal with the meal he just had.
Why is My Dog So Hungry All of A Sudden?
Maybe you had the meal routine down to a T, feeding your fur kid small, regular meals, and all that jazz. Then, suddenly, Rover is hungry all the time and insists on feeds late at night and at odd times during the day. This is probably a sign of internal parasites, unfortunately. These could be tapeworms, roundworms, or other nasties. These could come from fleas or from when your pup eats grass or something else that has roundworm eggs on it.
The vet can determine whether your fur kid has parasites by testing a stool sample. Luckily, these things are usually easily treated with some meds and potentially dietary adjustments.
Alternatively, your pup could suffer from diabetes or similar diseases that cause increased appetite. The vet can determine this through blood or urine tests. Unfortunately, these are potentially more severe and long-term than internal parasites.
Either way, if your pup suddenly shows increased appetite or other abnormal behavior, its best to get him to the vet for a checkup.
Is it Cruel to Only Feed a Dog Once a Day?
Our fur kids feeding schedules must synch with our daily schedules through necessity. These can be crazy since weve got work, exercise, social appointments, and many other things to fit into our lives. Some people feed their fur kids twice a day, and thats fine. Here, its important to note that your pups meals shouldnt be more than 12 hours apart. Suppose you stretch poor Rover longer than that. In that case, his stomach will become hyper acidic, which leads to nausea and potentially some other complications.
So, no, its not a good idea to feed your pup only once a day. The poor thing will feel miserable and suffer from all sorts of tummy aches and upsets. That said, you dont have to necessarily feed him more than twice a day.
Then, theres always the option of a self-feeder, or an automatic dog feeder connected to a timer. Thats for the super busy people who are afraid they might miss mealtimes once in a while. The verdict is still out on self-feeders, though. Some dogs do well with these devices and actually eat less than when fed at regular intervals. Others overeat and become obese as a result. This depends on your dogs temperament and breed.
Why Should I Avoid Late Night Meals for My Dog?
So, we know now that a late-night snack if fine for Rover, but a late-night meal isnt. Why is that?
Bathroom Breaks
After a meal, your fur kids body needs time to digest the food. Once this is done, hell need to go potty. If hes already in bed, he might not have a way to get outside to do his business. Then, the poor thing will hold it in until morning, or hell go inside the house. Both are bad, but for different reasons. If your pup holds it in, he will suffer short-term discomfort. If he does this regularly, he might end up with some long-term issues.
We dont need to unpack the downsides of your pup going in the house. Potty training is an absolute necessity for your peace of mind.
Energy Levels
If your pup goes too long without food, he wont have any energy to play or do other doggy things. This isnt good since it affects his healthy routine and daily functioning.
When you feed your pup too late, he has too much energy left in his system. Now, hell probably want to play, go for a walk, and generally goof around. So, he wont be able to sleep when hes supposed to. This messes with your schedule and his natural rhythm.
Weight Gain
This is linked to the previous point. Your pup now has too much energy in his system, but its bedtime. So, he probably wont burn all of that the way hes supposed to. Now, all that energy converts into fat, which leads to obesity. Not a great thing.
Health Risks
Late-night feeds throw off your pups natural internal clock and causes potential weight gain. Both of these increase the risk for conditions like heart disease and other related diseases.
Photo Credits
Photo by Marek Szturc on Unsplash
The 14 Absolute Best Snacks To Eat Before Bed
Like most nuts, almonds are rich in protein, healthy fats, and fiber, all of which can contribute to good sleep by keeping you satiated. But almonds also contain high amounts of melatonin, according to Medical News Today, as well as tryptophan and magnesium, which can directly affect sleep by helping your body relax.
Moreover, almonds are one of the best dietary sources of vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, explainsWeb MD. Lowering inflammation may improve sleep by minimizing discomfort and pain.
Additionally, almonds have a low glycemic index, meaning they release sugar into the bloodstream slowly. This helps prevent rapid spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels, reducing the likelihood of waking up in the middle of the night due to hunger or discomfort. Combined with their high fiber content, the tree nuts are more than filling enough to snack on before bed.
15 Bedtime Snacks to Help You Sleep Through the Night
When it comes to good health, factors like diet, physical activity, stress, and sleep are all connected.
That said, its not surprising that what you eat can affect your nighttime rest.
While the foods you eat throughout the day may have some impact on your sleep, your best chance to snack your way to better shuteye is just before you turn in.
Eating the right foods (or combination of foods) in the evening hours could mean the difference between fitful and restful sleep.
Find out why and how foods can help you sleep, plus 15 bedtime snacks that may help send you snoozing.
The link between foods and sleep comes down to whats in what you eat.
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For some people, a racing mind or feelings of anxiety are the cause of insomnia.
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If youve ever heard that turkey makes you sleepy, youre probably familiar with the effects of tryptophan. This amino acid converts to serotonin and melatonin, which both help the body relax.
Just like some foods can promote sleep, others can disrupt it.
You probably know that foods like coffee and energy drinks arent great nightcaps due to caffeine and common energizers like ginseng and yerba mate.
These arent the only choices to avoid before bed.
Eating spicy or acidic foods shortly before bed may cause indigestion or acid reflux, which could keep you tossing and turning.
Another culprit is sugary foods.
Eating foods high in sugar right before bed could make you feel sleepy, making it easier to fall asleep, but will also increase the chances of a restless nights sleep, says Kelsey Lorencz, RDN and founder of Graciously Nourished.
This is due to a sharp rise in blood sugar that releases insulin and other hormones to help bring blood sugar back down. This hormonal activity can disrupt sleep.
When hunger strikes at night, head to the kitchen for any of these pro-sleep snacks. Just note that eating too close to climbing into bed could backfire.
Do your best to avoid eating close to bedtime, says Rebecca Robbins, PhD, sleep expert for Oura sleep tracking devices. Robbins recommends finishing a snack at least one hour before hitting the hay.
Tart cherry juice smoothie
Some small
You might not like the mouth-puckering taste of tart cherry juice on its own, but using it in a smoothie with yogurt and a lower-glycemic sweetener like maple syrup can add a bit of appeal.
Pro tip: Sprinkle in some flaxseeds for extra omega-3 fats.
Smoked salmon cream cheese rollups
Salmon contains the highest omega-3s of most fish in the sea. Since these healthy fats may improve sleep efficiency, its a good idea to let them swim into your diet pre-bedtime.
Try spreading a layer of cream cheese on a tortilla and topping with smoked salmon. Then roll it and slice it into bite-sized pieces.
Whole grain toast with peanut butter
Keep it simple at bedtime with a tablespoon of peanut butter on whole-grain toast.
This magnesium-rich snack will help keep you full throughout the night without spiking your blood sugar, says Lorenz.
Blueberry-almond oatmeal
You might associate oatmeal with breakfast, but dont discount it as a nighttime snack! Lorenz recommends a bowl of oats with berries before bed.
Oats are a good source of tryptophan, which helps your body to produce melatonin to support a natural sleep cycle, she says. Sweeten oatmeal with berries for a fiber-rich, sweet bedtime snack that will produce a gradual rise and fall in blood sugar while you snooze.
Its also a good idea to add a handful of walnuts to boost your omega-3 fatty acids and protein, plus they can help prevent blood sugar levels from dropping too low.
Tuna cucumber bites
Canned tuna may be a humble snack, but it contains plenty of sleep-promoting omega-3s. Its also a source of vitamin B6, which assists in the production of melatonin.
Mix some with a little mayo and spread it on cucumber slices for a light, crunchy snack.
Kiwi slices
Sweet dreams are made of kiwi? Its possible!
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Handful of pistachios
Go nuts to go to sleep! According to a
Try snacking on a handful an hour or so before bed.
Cashew trail mix
Like pistachios, cashews are rich in melatonin. Plus, they boast another bonus: Theyre a good source of magnesium.
Create a trail mix with cashews, dried cranberries, almonds, or any of your favorite nuts and dried fruits.
Avocado toast
Avo toast makes a snack thats both filling and potentially sleep-inducing.
Avocados magnesium and potassium content are a one-two punch for promoting rest. Some
Spinach egg bites
Spinach and eggs may be a powerful combo for better sleep. The magnesium in spinach promotes relaxation, while its vitamin B6 is a co-factor in converting tryptophan to serotonin. Eggs, meanwhile, are high in melatonin.
To make spinach egg bites, follow these steps:
- Whisk 6 eggs, a splash of milk, and a pinch of salt.
- Stir in cups of cooked spinach.
- Divide among greased muffin cups.
- Bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes or until set.
Almond butter crackers
Like cashews and pistachios, almonds are another nut with bedtime benefits. They contain melatonin and magnesium to contribute to better rest.
Enjoy a schmear of almond butter on whole grain crackers for a little something creamy and crunchy before bed.
Chamomile tea with warm milk
Drinking chamomile tea before bed is a great way to reduce anxiety symptoms and support a good night of sleep, says Lorenz. Chamomile is particularly rich in the antioxidant apigenin, which works like an antidepressant and antianxiety agent to inhibit monoamine oxidases (MAOs).
According to a 2022 study on animal models, inhibiting MAO increases the level of monoamines, like serotonin, in the brain, which is associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms.
Add a splash of warm milk to your steaming cup for a soothing, creamy texture and a bit of healthy fat.
Tart cherry juice mocktail
Alcohol can disrupt your sleep, but a mocktail of tart cherry juice, OJ, and sparkling water makes an ideal nighttime tonic.
Warm smoothie bowl
A smoothie with yogurt, spinach, fruit, and peanut butter can be a great magnesium-rich bedtime snack, Lorenz recommends.
Even better: Try it as a warm smoothie bowl by heating it up in the microwave for a minute or so. You may find the cozy warmth especially calming.
Cherry pumpkin seed smoothie
Get creative with your smoothie-making with a mix of yogurt, pumpkin seeds, and cherries.
The magnesium from the pumpkin seeds, vitamin D from the yogurt, and melatonin found in sweet cherries will support a good nights rest, says Lorenz.
Coffee and tea
Its probably clear why caffeinated drinks like coffee and tea arent your ideal bedfellows.
Caffeine is well known for its stimulating effects. Besides their caffeine content, acidic beverages like coffee can also cause nighttime heartburn in more sensitive people.
Sweets
With their high sugar content, sweets like cookies, pastries, and cakes may disrupt your insulin levels, leading to a restless night.
Energy drinks
Downing an energy drink too close to turning in wont do your sleep any favors.
These beverages often contain caffeine and herbal stimulants designed to keep you awake, not put you to sleep.
Spicy or heavy foods
Save the fiery curry and zippy salsa for lunch or dinner timenot bedtime. Eating spicy foods stimulates the production of stomach acid, which can result in acid reflux that disrupts rest.
Steer clear of heavy, high calorie foods like fried food, red meats, and more than a small serving of cheese. These take time to digest and could cause indigestion if eaten just before laying down.
If you routinely struggle with insomnia, talk to your doctor or a sleep expert to rule out the possibility of a sleep disorder.
In the meantime, you can find helpful information on sleep disorders from the National Sleep Foundation.
If anxiety is what keeps you up at night, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America offers numerous resources.
Get the facts with these commonly asked questions.
What are the best foods to eat for good sleep at night?
Everyone may respond somewhat differently to various foods, but some of the best to eat before bed include:
- kiwi
- tree nuts, like pistachios and almonds
- tart cherries or their juice
- oatmeal with berries and nuts
- chamomile tea with milk
What foods should you avoid to sleep well at night?
Before bed, its best to steer clear of high-caffeine foods and beverages, spicy or heavy foods, and anything high in simple sugars.
What foods can babies, toddlers, and kids eat at night to sleep better?
If your baby is eating solid foods, try offering pureed magnesium-rich veggies like spinach or spoon-feeding them a smoothie. Toddlers can snack on foods cut into appropriate portion sizes (though they should not eat whole nuts, since theyre a choking hazard). Older kids are free to eat any of the foods on the list above.
What chemicals in foods make you sleepy?
Not all chemicals in food are bad! Melatonin, serotonin, and tryptophan have all been linked to promoting feelings of sleepiness.
What are the best foods for insomnia and anxiety at night?
A warm beverage may be the best choice to soothe anxiety and prevent insomnia. Like a warm bath, the sensation of heat often helps wash away the worries of the day.
Choose chamomile tea for its calming antioxidants, and add a splash of milk if you prefer a creamy taste. The extra fat will help too!
What fruits can help you sleep at night?
Kiwi and tart cherries have the strongest body of research to show their sleep-inducing effects.
The right snacks before bed could make a significant difference to your rest but remember that an overall pattern of healthy eating is important too.
Good nutrition is tied to good sleep eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and staying hydrated all contribute to our general health and our sleep health, says Robbins.
Choose your bedtime snacks wisely to set yourself up for sleep success.
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