How Long Do Dogs Sleep?

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It seems that our dogs are sleeping a lot more than we do, and if that is also your case, you are not wrong. Dogs require a lot more sleep than we do, and if you do not know exactly how long do dogs sleep, you came to the right place.

How many hours a day do dogs sleep?

Your average house pet that isn’t an extremely active dog sleeps 12 to 14 hours a day. Dogs require so much sleep because only 10% of their overall sleep is in the REM stage. That stage is crucial for getting rest. Unlike humans, dogs do not sleep in one uninterrupted “shift,” and they have numerous, shorter naps during the day.

If you are interested in finding out if dogs dream, check out this article.

Day naps are not that deep, and your dog is most likely ready for action in a matter of seconds. They demonstrate that by springing into action when a mailman arrives or a motorcycle passes close to your window.

How much sleep do dogs need?

One might argue that so much sleep is not needed, and there are many reasons why dogs can sleep. The obvious one is - dogs sleep when they are tired. But they also sleep when they are bored. If you have a pet whose main job is to hang around the house, it is not unlikely that your dog can sleep when it has nothing better to do. Many things can influence your dog’s sleeping needs, and some of the most influential things are their lifestyle, age, and breed.

Lifestyle

Active breeds like the Belgian Shepherd or a Border Collie might require less sleep. Working dogs need to be awake and alert for most of the day, so they have a sleeping schedule that is closer to our own (during the night and when they are off duty). Dogs with lower energy levels are notorious sleepers, and they prefer spending most of the day with their eyes shut.

Breed

There are over 400 internationally recognized breeds, and they all have different sleeping requirements. Some dog breeds are naturally more active and thus require less sleep. Larger breeds like the Tibetan Mastiffs, Greyhounds, or Saint Bernards love spending their time sleeping. It is true that larger dog breeds sleep a lot more than the smaller ones (unless they are working dogs).

Age

Age is an essential factor when it comes to sleeping. Just like we humans have different sleeping needs throughout our lifetime, so do the dogs. Senior dogs might spend up to 16 hours a day sleeping and lounging around. Their energy is lower, and they feel most comfortable when they are asleep. Adult dogs (12+ months depending on the breed) usually require 12-14 hours of sleep a day. Puppies, just like human babies, sleep the most.

How much do puppies sleep?

If you just became a puppy owner, you will undoubtedly notice how much your new puppy sleeps. They are new to this world, and growing and developing is a hard job. There is a lot of playing and socialization that needs to be done, and that can tire your puppy pretty quick. Puppies live by one rule, and it is “Play hard, sleep hard.” When it comes to sleeping, puppies are hardcore, and they will spend 18-20 hours a day asleep. The interesting thing is that they will explore the world around them literally until they drop dead from tiredness. Surely you will see your new puppy sleeping in the weirdest positions and situations. Pretty soon, you will have the answer to the question; Do puppies sleep a lot?

If you are thinking about getting a dog, check out Best Dog Breeds For First-Time Owners.

Sleeping schedule

If you recently got a puppy and are having trouble with their sleep during the night or your puppy “does the business” during the night, think about making a sleeping schedule for your puppy. As a general rule - your puppy can sleep one hour for each month plus one hour of their life. Let’s say you have a 4-month puppy; that would mean your puppy can sleep for 5 hours before it has to go out to take care of business. As your puppy grows, the sleeping schedule becomes more flexible, and adult dogs can wait 10-12 hours before they have to go out.

Sleeping problems

Just like in humans, sleeping problems in dogs can be symptoms of more significant health problems. If you have an adult dog with a healthy, stable sleeping pattern, sudden sleeping changes can be alarming. If your dog suddenly sleeps a lot more than they used to, it can be a sign of issues like;

• Loss of hearing
• Canine depression
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism

So if you started noticing rapid changes in your dog’s sleep, call your vet and ask for a consultation. Your vet will help you determine if sleeping problems are a behavioral or health problem, and from there, you will be sure what steps you should take next.

World Dog Finder team