Factors Affecting Sleep Among Dogs and Cats in a Veterinary Intensive Care Unit

Hospitalized dogs and cats experience sleep disturbances similar to those reported in human ICU patients. Ambient noise and light are significant factors contributing to sleep disruption in cats and dogs hospitalized in a veterinary ICU. The findings of this study support implementing efforts to promote patient sleep through environmental modifications in the veterinary intensive care setting. Additional research is needed to establish objective means of assessing sleep in hospitalized dogs and cats, to determine sleep patterns of hospitalized veterinary patients, and to quantify the impact of sleep disturbances on veterinary patient convalescence.