12 reasons why your dog is extra affectionate in the morning

It’s the season of pet happiness (i.e. 24/7, 365 days a year) - and what better way to revel in your pup’s joy than to understand it a little better? Glad you’re on board - as here we’re cracking the question - why is my dog extra affectionate in the morning?

Why is my dog so affectionate in the morning?

Routine

So, let’s crack the question - why is my dog extra affectionate in the morning? Well while we’re sure you’ll agree that our furry friends are ultra fun bundles of joy, they sure are creatures of habit. 

What does that mean for dog owners? Well if your pup has gotten used to expecting a morning greeting from you, then a walk, then breakfast, then more parts of their routine that bring them reward, they’re likely to keep on cuddling first thing in the morning, if that’s always come first in the past.

And if you simply love your dog’s morning affection, keeping them in their routine (even while you’re away on vacation) is super important. To keep your pup in the routine that makes them feel happy and safe, and provide heaps of affection to their humans, you could welcome a dog sitter to look after your pup in the comfort of home while you’re away. 

Vets agree pets are happier when kept at home (and we can guarantee there’ll be no disgruntled snarls when you return!), so check out how welcoming a pet sitter works by clicking below.

Time for walkies

If you’re wondering - why is my dog extra affectionate in the morning - well while it’s partly because they adore morning cuddles with you, it can also be down to other motivations. 

And one of the most exciting parts of your pup’s day is walkies, so the morning nuzzles and snuggles can sometimes be down to excitement for what’s to come.

Circadian rhythms

Why are dogs so affectionate in the mornings, aside from the fact that it’s part of their routine, and they’re looking forward to getting out and about with your - their favorite human? 

Well like us, a dog’s sleep and wake pattern is governed by a circadian rhythm - a body clock. This will activate your pup’s system to wake up, feel energetic and ready for interaction - and an important aspect of this interaction is often morning cuddles.

It’s breakfast time

Why do dogs like to cuddle first thing? Well as you’ll be well aware as a pet parent, our furry friends love their food. And upon waking up, their excitement for the first meal of the day can motivate them to get pretty affectionate. Plus, getting you on side means getting what they want, and soon!

For some pups though, breakfast is - in itself - a motivation to get out of bed, far before any morning snuggles happen. Over on our community forum, our member Debbie shared the habits of two Scottish Terriers they frequently look after.

“We do a housesit with two Scottish Terriers. Finlay is a “morning dog”, bouncing down the stairs and greeting everyone excitedly. Charlie will not get out of bed until he hears the sound of his biscuits (kibble) hitting the bowl!”

Comfort and bonding

Physical contact is your furry friend’s love language - a sure sign your dog loves you. And as our canine companions are pack animals through and through, a morning snuggle helps to maintain strong bonds between pack members. 

Plus, as social animals, dogs love social interaction with their human family members, so a snuggle in the morning helps them to feel loved, secure and satisfied first thing.

They’ve missed you

While (generally speaking) we humans sleep in through big chunk of time, many of our furry friends might wake in the night for short periods of time. This is totally normal, but it does mean that your furry friend can grow to miss you overnight, hence the morning affection and excitement. 

Over on our community forum, our member Newpetlover shared their perspective on this.

“I think it may have something to do with the length of their sleeping periods and ours. We tend to concentrate our sleep mainly in one long period and I think that’s too long for them. So they are really excited when they finally get our attention in the morning, a bit like when we get back home and they greet us excitedly. But, once they have our attention (a big fuss, breakfast and bathroom) then they can go back to sleep.”

Keeping warm

And you’re probably wondering - why is my dog extra affectionate in the morning - aside from missing you and wanting some comfort? Well it can sometimes be down to the simple need of warmth when they wake up in the morning. 

Shorter-haired breeds might get especially chilly on winter mornings, so be sure your pooch has enough blankets to snuggle into.

Reduces stress

For a whole bunch of reasons, your pooch might be feeling stressed or anxious - whether it’s separation anxiety, or the need for comfort when it’s noisy outdoors. 

Coming in for a cuddle in the morning helps to reduce stress levels in your furry friend by a mile. In fact, sleeping can increase oxytocin levels (the love hormone) which makes them more in the mood for a cuddle when they wake up.

Excitement and energy levels

And why are dogs so happy in the morning, as well as cuddly? Well imagine it from your pup’s perspective - they’ve had a good night of rest and might have been waiting for you to wake up for the last hour or so. It’s no wonder the moment you’re awake, they have a sudden burst of energy at the sight of you stirring!

Satisfaction

Another reason why dogs are happy to see you in the morning comes from their instinctive urge to protect their pack. Seeing you first thing in the morning means they’ve done their job, so by showing affection, it could be relief that all pack members are safe and sound. 

Jealousy 

If you still don’t feel you’ve cracked the question - why is my dog extra affectionate in the morning - could it be down to jealousy? Whether it’s a new baby, sibling, friend or partner, your pup might be feeling jealous that they’re having to share your company, so getting a cuddle in the morning means they’ve bagged all-important quality time.

Positive reinforcement

One last reason why your dog is so cuddly in the mornings is that it’s a behavior that’s been rewarded in the past. As you’ll likely know, positively reinforcing behaviors means your pooch is likely to do it again. So, if they’ve been affectionate in the morning and you’ve naturally given it straight back, your pooch might be more likely to come in for cuddles at the same time the next day.

Why do dogs get so excited when you come home?

So we can agree that dogs are all about the cuddles in the morning, but why do dogs get so excited when you come home? Explore our blog to find out why it’s all wagging tails and face licks after work.