Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much? | Here’s The Main Reason You May Not Know

As a dog owner, you will notice that your dog spends most of its time while sleeping. It may make you curious and a little bit worried too.

You may think that why do dogs sleep so much? Is there anything wrong with my dog? Well, in most cases, it can be a very normal thing but in some cases, it can be an indication of a serious problem.

So, how do you find out your dog’s sleeping duration is normal or not? Keep reading to find out.

Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much?

If we see this on a biological level, then a dog’s body generally needs lots of sleep which is around 12 to 14 hours a day. They spend half of the day while sleeping and it’s completely normal. This includes the overnight sleep and naps they take during the day.

This might be a surprise to humans because we generally sleep for 7 to 8 hours a day. You might be more surprised to know that there are also some creatures such as lions who spend 16 to 20 hours while resting and sleeping.

However, puppies and older dogs are known to sleep much longer than adult dogs. When a dog is in his initial life stage, they spend 20 hours while sleeping, according to Purina. This sleep cycle continues till the age of 12 weeks.

There can also be some other reasons why your dog is sleeping more. For example, they might be suffering from any disease or they may belong to a breed that sleeps the most such as Shih Tzu.

Boredom can also be a reason why your dog sleeps so much. Because most of the time dogs don’t have anything interesting to do which leads them to sleep. If this is the case with your dog, you can do the following things:

• Get some toys for your dog. This will bring more fun to their day.
• Play any kind of sports with your dog.
• Go for a walk with your canine buddy. This is one of the best things you can do. It won’t only prevent your dog from sleeping but also provides a good amount of mental stimulation.

Include these things in your dog’s daily lifestyle, most likely your furry friend will not sleep much during the day. But if he does, you should contact your vet.

So, in summary, dogs are creatures who tend to sleep much longer than humans. If your dog sleeps between 12 hours to 14 hours a day, then sit back and relax, there is no need to worry.

But if you notice your dog is sleeping more than normal, it’s time to take professional help. Because it can be an indication of a health issue. And of course, it is necessary to address it at the right time, otherwise, it could lead to complications.

How To Know How Much Sleep Your Dog Actually Needs?

As we mentioned above that a dog sleeps around 12 to 14 hours a day. But this is just a general figure and doesn’t apply to every single dog. How much sleep is enough depends on many factors, including:

• Breed – The breed of your dog plays a major role. Many dogs breeds require more sleep than other breeds. For example, small size dog breeds tend to sleep between 14 to 16 hours a day. On the other hand, medium-sized dog breeds sleep less than the small size dog breed, around 10 to 14 hours a day. And the large dog breeds sleep the most which is between 14 to 18 hours.
• Age – Puppies and older dogs sleep longer than adult dogs. They sleep between 18 to 20 hours. These long periods of sleep help puppies to grow. And help older dogs to get more rest throughout the day as we know they get more tired at this life stage.
• Health Conditions – When a dog is going through a disease then, of course, they usually need more sleep than normal. Make sure you never ignore this factor. Whenever you notice that your dog is not good with his health, visit your vet as soon as possible.

When Is The Time To Go For Professional Help?

See, if your dog is sleeping between 12 to 14 hours a day, then you should not worry. But if you feel that your dog is sleeping more than normal, you should definitely ask your vet for help.

If your dog is showing signs like changes in sleeping patterns, laziness in walking or exercising, preferring sleep above eating or drinking, anxiety, more aggression or fearfulness, etc. Then it is a must to take your dog to the vet.

Also, if your dog is lethargic from waking up to going to sleep, this is the sign that your dog needs the attention of the vet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are a few questions asked by many dog owners and you may also have some in your mind. Have a look:

Do Dogs Sleep All Night?

Most likely, yes. Dogs complete most of their sleep during the night. But that doesn’t mean they complete their whole sleep during the night. After the night sleep, they still have around 3 hours of nap during the daytime.

Do Dogs Dreams While Sleeping?

One word answer: Yes

Our four-legged friends also dream. Here are a few signs that may indicate your pup is dreaming:

• Twitching Whiskers
• Chattering paws
• Or running paws

Should I Sleep With My Dog?

Sleeping with your dog is not recommended at all. Because any disease transmission can take place. It happens very rarely but still, there is a risk for both of you, so try to avoid this.

Conclusion

Dogs are creatures that generally need more sleep. If you notice your dog sleeping 12 to 14 hours a day, you shouldn’t worry and treat this like a very normal thing.

But if your dog is sleeping more than normal and showing some changes in sleeping habits, then you should visit your vet immediately. Because there can also be some underlying health issues causing your dog to sleep excessively.

So, that was all about why do dogs sleep so much? Now we hope that this article was helpful to you.