Do you find your dog sleeping most of the day? Well, you shouldn’t worry. In fact, some dogs will sleep alongside you through the night, while others will spend much of the day asleep. Most dogs will also sleep around 10 to 14 hours per day, as some could sleep as much as 20 hours. However, if excessive sleeping is something that deeply concerns you, then it might be time to get down to the bottom of it.
Serious changes in sleeping patterns can come as a result of aging or, in some cases, even disease, which is also why you should keep a close eye on your dog’s sleep cycle. Here, we will break down some of the most insightful tips and advice on a dog’s sleeping patterns, as well as some advice on how to encourage activity in your dog to keep them wide awake during the day.
How much sleep do dogs really need?
Many dogs out there could end up sleeping for around 12 to 14 hours during a regular 24-hour cycle. Nevertheless, how much they snooze also depends on a variety of factors. First, young puppies and older dogs are more likely to spend most of their time asleep.
Then, there are the overweight and sick ones: they are also prone to sleeping more than healthy dogs. Lastly, some breeds are predisposed towards sleeping more. However, in most of these cases, a dog with a sleep pattern of 12 to 14 hours a day is really no cause for concern.
That’s in fact quite normal. But owners should still be aware of the fact that excess sleep can be a sign of potential issues, especially if they notice a sudden change in the amount of time their dog spends sleeping. Your vet is the best person you can go to with such concerns.
Why do dogs sleep this much?
Studies have proven that many dogs can average a minimum of 11 hours in a 24-hour cycle. Moreover, they also take many resting periods with the smallest portion of the day devoted to fun activities. The vast majority of them could sleep more when they feel relaxed, and there isn’t any distraction or motivation to be active.
Since they don’t have smartphones to keep them busy, jobs to do overtime, or homework to avoid, sleeping is their own way of passing the day, especially if they are home alone and bored. But then again, this also applies: hours and hours of snoozing can be a sign of a health issue. Many diseases and age-related issues can come with a change in sleeping patterns.
How to effectively prevent napping out of boredom
Since most dogs don’t have to go to work or school, it’s quite common for them to be bored if they are alone for longer periods of time. I mean, put yourself in their paws: pair a long, lonely day with all the hours their human is asleep, and you will realize that’s quite a long time for your dog to spend sleeping. However, if you feel that your dog is sleeping his days away, you might want to come up with a series of activities for both of you.
Enrichment
The best and most efficient way to help your dog stay awake and active throughout the day is to provide plenty of interesting toys, games, and activities. For instance, puzzle toys can be a wonderful way to keep your dog both busy and active during the day.
You can hide kibble or even treats inside a towel or a leftover egg carton (but make sure your dog doesn’t eat the towels). You can check on your dog using a dog camera to see if he’s playing with the puzzle toys or ignoring them.
Exercise
You can easily spice up your dog’s schedule with some midday dog walks and more prolonged bouts of exercise in the morning or even the evening. Some dogs can also enjoy a doggy daycare setting, where they get to play with other dogs as much as they like.
If you notice your dog sleeping when there are many things to do, or if he’s apathetic, no longer engaging with things that he used to do, then this could mean something else is going up. Speak up with your veterinarian for advice on what you should do next.
When it’s time to call the vet
As a general rule, it’s quite standard for your dog to spend a huge amount of time asleep or resting. With that being said, too much sleep can also be a sign of an issue with your pup’s health. If you’re deeply worried, try to keep track of your dog’s sleep patterns and any other symptoms worth paying attention to.
Also, make sure he has a healthy weight and plenty to do during the day to enrich his alone time. If he is still asleep for an unusual amount of time, then it might be time to go to the vet. There are a couple of tell-tale signs that your dog could be oversleeping:
- sleeping when there’s something else better to do, especially if it’s the kind of thing that would usually grab their attention, like sleeping through meals
- running into difficulty when it comes to waking up
- limping or unwilling to walk, run, or jump
- obvious increase or decrease in eating, urination, or defecation
- vomiting, diarrhea
- coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing
- a noticeable increase in sleep alongside other sleeping behaviors
- disorientation, confusion, getting “lost” in the house, staring at walls and corners
- increased aggression and fearfulness
- pacing and other obvious signs of anxiety
Your vet might have plenty of questions and could need to run some tests to establish a proper diagnosis. Getting a thorough workup from your vet could also include a complete physical exam, blood work, and even other tests will help uncover the main issue and get your pup feeling her best again.
Some of the most important signs might have developed slowly over time, especially if we’re talking about older dogs. It’s always very important to discuss your dog’s age with your veterinarian, since there could be many ways to make your furry friend more comfortable in their golden years.
Is it really normal for a dog to average 20 hours of sleep?
It can be, in fact, quite normal for some dogs to sleep as much as 20 hours a day, especially if they are older, younger, or just extremely bored. But if your dog is all of a suddenly sleeping more than he used to before, you should definitely call your veterinarian.
Do dogs like sleeping as much as humans do?
Dogs are known to be social and affectionate animals. They generally enjoy sleeping close to their people. Some dogs even enjoy cuddling in the bed, while others prefer their own space. They often want to sleep in the same room as their people.
Have you noticed any sleeping patterns that might have changed recently? If so, feel free to let us know in the comments section down below, and maybe we can ask our own professional vets and come back with an answer!
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