Do Dogs Need More Sleep than I Do?

Does my dog need more sleep than I do? It may seem like your pooch naps quite a lot. How much sleep do they need, and are they getting more shut-eye than you? Read on to discover these little-known facts about your doggy’s dozing habits, including the amount of sleep your pup needs, stages of sleep, sleep positions, and how your dog squeezes his many naps into the day.

How Much Sleep Does a Dog Need?

Your dog spends about 12-14 hours each day sleeping, though this will vary by breed, age, activity level, and health.

●     Like human babies, growing, learning puppies sleep much more, up to 2 hours more per day.

●     Large breeds nap more than smaller breeds.

●     Active working breeds, such as Border Collies, sleep less than sedentary breeds like the English bulldog.

●     As your dog ages, he will tire more easily, thereby sleeping more.

The Doggy Sleep Cycle

Like all mammals, dogs go through different sleep stages. Unlike humans, who spend 15-17 hours awake and 7-9 hours sleeping, the sleep-wake cycle of your pooch is shorter: 15 minutes asleep to 5 minutes awake. He can fall quickly into a deep sleep, reaching REM sleep about 10 minutes in, where he may roll his eyes and twitch as he dreams of chasing your neighbor’s cat. He does not sleep as deeply as you, however. With a built-in protection mechanism, your dog wakes more quickly and easily, but this comes at the cost of the need for more frequent naps to achieve a sufficient amount of REM sleep.

Common Sleep Positions

●     Stretched out– when he’s feeling ultra-relaxed.

●     4-paws in the air– when he feels safe and secure.

●     Curled up– when he’s in a defensive/rapid-response mentality, or just trying to keep warm.

Your Dog’s Daily Sleep Schedule

Your dog spends half his day sleeping, a third lying around, and the remainder playing, pottying, and begging for food. He has a flexible schedule, easily shifting his habits to see you off, greet you when you get home, and stare at you through supper.

How Much is Too Much?

Though your dog does sleep a lot, there is such a thing as too much. If your pooch seems excessively lethargic, he could have a health problem. Sleepiness is a common symptom of serious diseases like diabetes, hypothyroidism, Lyme disease, and parvo. Stress from situational and emotional upset can also make your pup increasingly tired.

Helping Your Pup Get a Better Night’s Sleep

You can help your dog get better sleep with plenty of exercise and daytime stimulation, alongside a healthy, nutrient-dense diet, and by providing him a comfortable spot to snooze.

Rover restless? Give him the gift of a better night’s sleep. Schedule a day of doggy daycare fun or a relaxing evening spa visit with DoGone Fun today.

This article was previously published at: https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/owning-a-dog/do-dogs-need-more-sleep-than-i-do/