Should You be Worried if Your Dog Sleeps All Day?

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One of the most important things dog owners have to do is make sure their dogs are alright and as healthy as possible. One of the things that can indicate health issues is a messed-up sleeping schedule. One of the questions we often receive is, “Should I be worried if my dog sleeps all day?” and the answer is - it depends. Here is what you should know and look for if your dog sleeps all day.

Sleep schedule

The first thing you should do is make sure your dog actually sleeps more than usual. Dogs have a different sleeping schedule than humans have. They need more naps, and different breeds have different preferences. Lazy dog breeds need more sleep, and active breeds, like the Belgian Malinois, need more activity and less sleep.

On average, dogs sleep between 12 - 14 hours a day, so it is easy for us to think our dog sleeps all day. If you spend a significant time at home, you will undoubtedly notice your dog sleeps a lot. However, that can be completely normal. A longer sleeping schedule is something you should expect from your dog, and typically, it is not something you should worry about. Here are some of the reasons your dog might sleep longer than usual;

If you want to know more about a healthy dog sleeping schedule, check out this article - How long do dogs sleep?

Age

Senior dogs are generally less active. If they are not active, they will prefer spending their time napping in a cozy position. Puppies need more sleep, and an average puppy can sleep up to 18 hours a day, so don’t be surprised if your puppy sleeps all day.

Breed

Some breeds simply need more sleep than others. Frenchies, Mastiffs, Greyhounds, St. Bernards, and many other breeds are not that active by nature. They prefer living a peaceful lifestyle that doesn’t involve too many activities. They have no reason to be active at home, so they go with the flow and nap.

Stimulation

Dogs that live in households with fewer stimulations will sleep more. There is no reason they have to be active. They don’t need to search for food, mates, shelter, or water. Less stimulation means less stress, and when a dog is relaxed, they will want to sleep.

Health issues

Unfortunately, dogs are not immune to illnesses, diseases, and health issues that might cause a change in their sleeping schedule. In most cases, dogs sleeping all day is no reason to worry. However, if you have an active breed that suddenly started sleeping a lot more, especially during the parts of the day they were active in, it can be a worrying sign. Here are some of the potential health issues that can cause your dog to sleep all day;

Hypothyroidism

Dogs that have hypothyroidism will want to sleep all day. A severe hormonal imbalance will mess up their body, and the chemical imbalance will make them tired and sleepy. The thyroid gland will not produce enough hormone that turns food into energy (thyroxine), which means the dog’s metabolism will slow down. The dog will be tired and sleepy, and the natural response is to sleep.

Cancer

Dangerous diseases like cancer can cause your dog to sleep all day. Their body will be exhausted, and your dog will constantly feel tired. Cancer can take a toll on your dog’s body, so if you notice them sleeping a lot more than usual, you should take your dog to the vet and get them checked up.

Obesity

Overweight dogs often have breathing problems that influence the quality of their sleep. This might seem weird, but obese dogs will actually not get enough sleep, which will cause them to be constantly tired. Obese dogs will try to sleep all day, but they won’t do it successfully. You should change your dog’s diet and help them lose some weight.

Other symptoms

A rapid change in your dog’s sleeping pattern usually means something is wrong with them. You should keep a close eye on your dog and make sure you notice anything unusual about them. If your dog wants to sleep all day, it can be for hundreds of reasons. If you noticed it as an isolated incident that lasts about a day or two, they are probably fine. However, if that behavior lasts for a couple of days, you should probably visit your vet. Keep an eye on other symptoms that might accompany your dog’s sleeping schedule;

• Lethargy
• Increased thirst
• Refusing water
• Pain
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Increased appetite
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Incontinence
• Lower activity

As dog owners, we need to keep a close eye on our dogs and notice things that are unusual for our dogs. Any change in your dog’s usual pattern can mean something is wrong with their health. If you catch a disease early, the chances of recovery are a lot better.

World Dog Finder team