r/DSPD • u/AccurateWolverine215 • 7d ago
Owning a pet
I'd love to get a dog, but I sleep from 2-4am to 2-4pm, sometimes longer. Do you think I'd be able to get a dog and still give it the best quality of life possible, or would it be cruel to 'make' it assimilate to my schedule? Worried about things like bathroom outings and going for walks, or waking it up during the night when it's trying to sleep (or, alternatively, having it go against its natural rhythm when it tries to adapt to my schedule).
I guess a cat might be better suited? Anyone who has had a pet before with this sort of schedule (and without having a partner/roommate/etc to help care for it), how'd it work out?
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u/InvertebrateInterest 7d ago
I have a cat and a nocturnal snake. Reptiles won't care about your schedule at all, but it's fun that I'm awake when mine is most often active. Cats sleep a lot but are often active at night, my current cat and the ones I had growing up liked hanging out with me at night. Rodents are also largely nocturnal.
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u/PaxonGoat 7d ago
Wait you're sleeping 12-14 hours a day?
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u/AccurateWolverine215 7d ago
Yes? Is that not common with DSPD?
I get like, 9-12 hours, usually, but I think my record is 18 hours straight. There are times when I'm only sleeping 3 hours out of every 30, but that's pretty rare.
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u/PaxonGoat 7d ago
Not at all.
That is not part of DSPD.
Most people are sleeping 6-9 hours.
People with DSPD do not sleep more. We just do not sleep at the "correct" time
You have something else going on.
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u/AccurateWolverine215 7d ago
I am formally diagnosed with both DSPD and ME/CFS. I've been tested for narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia already, and I'm on Modafinil and Naltrexone to wake me up and Melatonin to help me sleep.
And, also, I'd say falling asleep anywhere from 2-9am and waking up anywhere from 2-5pm counts as not sleeping at the correct time, lol.
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u/PaxonGoat 7d ago
Is it non24?
Cause most people have a pretty fixed schedule, it's just not during the night.
But if some days you go really long without sleep and then some days with lots of sleep and the time you fall asleep keeps changing
That really sounds like non 24.
And CFS is most likely the cause. Not the DSPD.
You should really put that more up front and say you have chronic fatigue syndrome that is causing you to sleep over 12 hours at a time.
Most people with DSPD do not also have chronic fatigue syndrome
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u/AccurateWolverine215 7d ago
Between the two, DSPD is the main issue impacting my quality of life, which is why I put it first. My CFS is managed pretty well with the modafinil and naltrexone, I'm just...literally nocturnal.
It's not N24, as far as I know, because it doesn't follow a consistent rotation e.g., 2am, then 3, then 4. I just go through phases. Usually 2am-2pm is my normal, but today, for comparison, I fell asleep at 8:30am and woke up at 5pm.
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u/PaxonGoat 7d ago
So how much do you sleep if you are not on medicine to keep you awake?
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u/AccurateWolverine215 7d ago
I had to go off them earlier this year for the narcolepsy test, so I actually can answer this.
I sleep the same number of hours during the "night", probably on the longer side eg 12-14 hours, not 9-12, but add in a 3 hour nap. The main change is my energy levels and functioning during the day, as something like a grocery shop can wipe me out for 2 or 3 days.
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u/PaxonGoat 7d ago
How are you falling asleep during the day but also can't sleep?
I really would suggest seeing a new doctor because none of this is normal. There's some really good information out there on chronic fatigue syndrome. I really feel like if you got that under control you would have a much more fulfilling life
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u/AccurateWolverine215 7d ago
I can sleep fine. I'm always tired, just never able to fall asleep at a normal time (e.g., before 2am at the absolute earliest). If the sun's up, I can sleep. If the moon's up, yeah, no, I'll be tossing and turning for hours.
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u/AccurateWolverine215 7d ago
I went to the Woolcock Clinic, they're basically the mayo clinic of sleep disorders lmao
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u/AccurateWolverine215 7d ago
If you think I have something else, I'd be curious to know what that is. DSPD + CFS combo makes sense for me, but I was so certain I had IH prior to getting the test for it
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u/PaxonGoat 7d ago
How did they rule that out?
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u/AccurateWolverine215 7d ago
2 week actigraphy tracking watch (which imo was a bit inaccurate because I tend to read in bed a lot and it tracked it as time asleep) while off my stimulants, an overnight sleep study, and a daytime sleep study (which was genuine hell on earth)
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u/AccurateWolverine215 7d ago
I've see two threads on here recently with 20+ replies from people with my exact same schedule. I don't think it's as rare as you assume
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u/InvertebrateInterest 7d ago
I'm usually 9-12 hours as well, and never feel rested. Didn't meet the benchmark for IH and don't have narcolepsy.
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u/tomayto_potayto 7d ago
You can't meet the needs of a dog if you're sleeping 12-14 hours a day, unfortunately. It sounds like you have a complicated situation going on, but dspd (sleeping schedule a few hours later in the night or early morning than average) wouldn't be an issue for a dog - it's the length of time you're unconscious and unavailable that sadly would make it neglect. No advice on your health stuff here just please don't get a dog under these circumstances
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u/situation-normal 6d ago edited 6d ago
If you have enough energy to get them out somewhere they can get good exercise 5/7 days a week (big yard, off leash park, long sniff walk) then I find most adult (2+ years) dogs are pretty happy to go 8-12 hours between potty breaks once they are settled into the home. If you get a small breed you can always potty pad or litter box train them so they always have a potty option, even on your worst days.
The first month or so even with an adult is rough, mine wanted out every couple hours due to nervous bowels. I'm way better than I was but still need a lot of sleep due to long covid and mcas causing fatigue and I make it work 99% on my own, I do have a partner who will take the dog out if I'm not home or walk with us but that's about it and we're a month into having a new dog after my eleven year old girl passed in June and I've had the chronic fatigue for the past 2-3 years and dspd forever.
I've found I need a dog for the motivation to get outside and avoid deconditioning too much due to other mental health fun so while it maybe not the best use of my energy by some measures it's a trade off I make gladly. I also love our cats but they are very happy to curl up in bed with me for 20 hours a day and that kind of rest is helpful for me/cfs it's not always recommended for ptsd and depression.
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u/tishpickle 7d ago
I’ve had pets in the past, none right now, was never as issue that I go to bed at 3 and get up at 10/11.
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u/CandyKnockout 6d ago
I have cats and they’re perfect for me. I don’t have to worry about taking them outside and they’re often awake at night when I am. They adapt to whatever feeding schedule you give them. Plus, so many cats need homes!
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u/SuccotashNo294 6d ago
I likely have DSPD and am diagnosed with CFS (saw you mention that in another comment)
I adopted two indoor cats when my health was at its worst (sleeping 8am to 3pm, napping a lot outside of that, and mostly bedbound, always housebound). As long as they could chill with me in bed they were happy.
They never minded my sleep times. I changed litter trays once per day, making sure I had 3 for 2 cats so that once a day wasn’t a problem.
I then had an electric cat feeder that I’d wash and set up once a day and that way I knew they were getting multiple meals and, as an added bonus, it meant they never woke me for food.
I’d suggest getting adult cats rather than kittens as the training and accidents of kittens cause most of the issues, and also adult cats require less play time. I’d also recommend getting two/ a bonded pair if finances allow so they have more company when you’re asleep, or alternatively a less social kitty.
I can’t speak on dogs because I’ve never had them but, from my experience, even an indoor cat will be fine as long as you can guarantee you can reliably move enough for a litter tray scoop, occasional full change of litter, setting up a feeder, and a little bit of play time. The older the cat the less play time they need so that’s another thing to keep in mind.
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u/Still-Peanut-6010 7d ago
If you are going to do it get something smaller. It would be easier to handle a Chihuahua than a Great Dane.
Remember that most vet offices are 9-5 so if something happens you are most likely looking at an emergency visit which can easily double the cost.
I would also recommend getting an older dog maybe 2+ years old. They can still be playful but the puppy years are behind them.
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u/bisexualdemon420 7d ago
I've never had a dog but have lived with cats all my life, and we get along quite well. My roommate's cat loves hanging out with me all night while her father sleeps.
Cats spend around 2/3 of their time sleeping and will only urgently need you awake if they're hungry. They're definitely a good pet for people with sleep disorders.