Dogs spend a significant portion of their time resting regularly, and differences can be seen depending on their lifestyle and age. But if it makes us feel like our partner is sleeping longer than usual, and we find other symptoms such as lack of appetite or sadness, we may be dealing with a pathology that will require veterinary intervention.
If you've made it this far wondering why does my dog sleep so much, keep reading, we'll explain everything in this article.
My dog sleeps a lot, is this normal?
If our dog is sleeping a lot and we are wondering what it might be, the first thing to do is check to see if his sleep periods are abnormally long. Dogs usually sleep about half of their time. This does not mean that they are in deep sleep for all these hours, since they will alternate between other stages of light sleep in which they will be awake.
Posture can give us an idea of where they are in their sleep. For example, a dog lying on its side or curled up will usually sleep more soundly than when it lies on its chest with its front legs flexed.
However, how many hours a day does a dog sleep? Once the puppies are born, they will sleep for many more hours. As they get older, their sleep hours will approach those of adults. On the other hand, as dogs age, it is normal for them to spend more time sleeping and their sleep patterns change.
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If your dog sleeps for many hours and also falls asleep in situations where we are not accustomed to do so, he may be suffering from a disorder called hypersomnia. It appears to have a genetic basis and has been identified in breeds such as the Labrador Retriever, Poodle, Beagle or Miniature Pinscher.
My dog sleeps all day - is this normal?
Surely, while watching your dog take a nap, you have at least once thought: “My dog sleeps all day... Is this normal?” Believe me, you are not alone. Nature has endowed dogs with the amazing ability to sleep as much as they want. It is absolutely normal for dogs to be asleep most of the day. Here are some reasons why dogs sleep so much.
According to Dr. Evan Antin, a veterinarian in California, dogs sleep approximately 12-14 hours a day. He also notes that the number of hours spent sleeping depends on the age, breed and activity level of the dog.
“Some dog breeds sleep more than others. These include French and English bulldogs. Service and working breeds of dogs are more active and sleep less,” says Dr. Antin.
Age also plays a role in how much a dog sleeps. For example, puppies sleep 16-18 hours a day. Older dogs sleep about the same and may be less active due to joint pain and arthritis.
Another reason why a dog sleeps all day is its lifestyle.
Dr. Antin explains it this way: “Pet dogs may sleep more than they need to, simply because they are less irritated and stressed. They do not need to hunt, run away and hide from predators, find a mate, etc. Wolves and coyotes have to look for food, a pack, and try to survive and reproduce. Domestic dogs have food, water and shelter. They are, as a rule, castrated, so there is no need to think about procreation either.”
I would like to note that having housing and food is good, but this also leads to the fact that the dog sleeps more - there is simply nothing for the dog to do. But let's be honest, this is preferable to having a pet chew on walls and furniture out of idleness and boredom.
Health problems can cause dogs to need more sleep than healthy dogs. “Hormonal imbalance and hypothyroidism are those diseases that “force” your dog to sleep longer. Any disease related to metabolism, as well as cancer, causes a decrease in activity in a dog,” explains Dr. Antin.
If you notice that your dog is less active or sleeping more than usual, first rule out “normal” factors such as age. Note, for example, that a dog eats a lot but does not gain weight; this may be due to metabolism. Observe your pet and if the issue is not resolved, you need to go to the veterinarian.
Dr. Antin says that he has patients with respiratory diseases, overweight, such animals do not sleep well at night due to difficulty breathing, so they do not get enough sleep at night. This leads to constant fatigue and decreased activity of the dog in general.
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Do dogs sleep more in winter?
Dogs' sleep patterns remain the same with slight variations throughout the year. If our dog sleeps a lot in winter and we wonder what it could be, we can find an explanation in our own behavior.
The coldest months of the year usually coincide with unfavorable weather conditions, forcing us to spend more time indoors. When we relax at home, our dog can accompany us, spending more time relaxing. Of course, if we notice other symptoms, we may be faced with pathology.
When do dogs sleep more?
The fewer problems a dog has and the more monotonous its existence, the more time it will spend sleeping. So, domestic dogs always sleep much more than street dogs. After all, they do not need to look for a warm corner and food, or to defend the territory. And there is much less entertainment within four walls than on the street. That's why apartment dogs sleep more out of boredom.
The length of sleep is affected by the size of the dog, and even the breed. So, the larger the dog, the more time it needs to sleep. They especially like to sleep:
Much depends on age. Puppies, like children, need a lot of sleep. As they age, they sleep less and less. But as the dog ages, he begins to sleep more again. Health conditions can also make your dog sleep more. Many diseases lead to drowsiness due to weakness.
When do dogs sleep less?
During the active periods of its life, the dog clearly has no time for sleep. At work, on a hike, or while hunting, she can remain cheerful for many hours. True, then, when everything is over, she will fall asleep for a long time, restoring her strength. Some diseases also cause overstimulation, which prevents the dog from sleeping peacefully.
How does a dog sleep?
In fact, not all the time when a dog lies with his eyes closed - he sleeps. Most of the time she simply dozes, completely controlling her environment, listening to all sounds. Dogs wake up very often.
The dog also has a sensitive sleep phase, when it is also able to control everything around it. And occasionally the animal falls into a deep or, as it is also called, restless sleep. It lasts for several minutes and at this moment the dog can yelp, squeal, move its paws as if running, growl, roll its eyes under closed eyelids and even jump up.
This dream is also called paradoxical. Usually there are one to three periods of such sleep, with short periods of restful sleep occurring between them. The dog lies in a variety of positions: on its stomach, on its side, curled up, on its back. The supine position is most often preferred by puppies and very young dogs. The deep sleep stage most often occurs when the animal lies on its side with its legs extended.
Your alarm clock starts ringing seconds after the dog's cold, wet nose presses against your cheek and its eager tongue licks your face. It's time to get up!
You force yourself to get out of bed to walk the dog and take a shower. An hour later, when you've both had breakfast, you have to go to work, while your furry friend goes to his bed, gets comfortable and begins to snore quietly. You sigh longingly and walk out the door.
Why do dogs sleep so much? Humans need six to eight hours of sleep per night, but how much should dogs sleep? It seems as if they sleep all the time, but is there a limit?
In fact, these questions can be answered. Unless your dog has suddenly changed his sleeping habits, there is probably no cause for concern.
The dog sleeps a lot in summer
And if our dog sleeps a lot in winter, this is normal, the same thing happens in summer. It's no surprise that during months with warmer temperatures we notice the dog sleeping a lot in the heat. Additionally, it usually sits in cooler areas such as bathrooms or kitchens with tile floors. A typical pose is one where the stomach is in contact with the ground.
In these cases, we will notice the most active dog in the morning and late afternoon, which coincides with cooler hours. It is also possible that dogs eat less in this situation. Again, the finding of other symptoms could be a manifestation of pathology.
The dog is older and sleeps a lot
Another situation in which a dog's sleep time may be increased physiologically is in old age. In these cases, if our dog sleeps a lot and we are wondering what it could be, the answer may lie in cognitive dysfunction syndrome. It is a brain disease similar to Alzheimer's disease in humans.
Affected dogs show changes in their behavior and may urinate in the house, become disoriented, exhibit stereotypical behavior, or suffer from sleep disturbances, so they sleep more during the day and less at night. You should go to the vet because before diagnosis it is important to rule out other diseases that are also common in older dogs.
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When should you contact a veterinarian?
Dr. Potoski says, “I would recommend taking your dog to the vet if he becomes extremely lethargic. Anything that goes beyond her usual behavior should alert you and be a reason to visit a specialist.” As a dog owner, you are the best person to tell what dog behavior is normal and what worries you. When you see changes that are concerning, consult your doctor!
No wonder they say that a dog is man's best friend. Many of us love them as much as we love family members, and taking care of their health is just as important. This is another reason to find out how long dogs should sleep.
Most people want to sleep all day. However, this is rarely possible for anyone, and it becomes more difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but, nevertheless, this is normal for dogs. On average, adult dogs sleep between 14 and 16 hours a day. The length of sleep in dogs varies greatly depending on several factors.
The dog sleeps a lot and is sad
If our dog sleeps a lot, it may be due to a psychological problem. If a dog sleeps a lot and is sad, although a physical cause should always be ruled out first, we cannot forget that it is possible that he is experiencing a depressive picture. A dog that sleeps a lot and doesn't play as usual may feel discouraged by boredom, isolation, loneliness, inattention, sudden and frequent changes in its daily routine, etc.
Additionally, if our foster dog sleeps a lot, it could be a result of abuse or early separation from his mother. There are also genetic causes, although they are in the minority. These dogs, in addition to being lethargic, will be lethargic, unresponsive, or unresponsive to interesting stimuli. They will need veterinary treatment to first diagnose and rule out physical causes, and then change the pet's daily routine and living conditions.
Does your dog really sleep all the time?
Dogs don't always sleep, sometimes they just rest. Their sleep is different from human sleep. Most of their daytime sleep is light sleep, because at the slightest unusual sound they become alert and alert. Dogs are dozing at this time, and their sleep is not deep.
All dogs, even if they are not guard dogs, watch their owners very closely. They do this practically 24 hours a day! Only at night do they completely relax and fall into deep sleep, which is necessary to rejuvenate the body and renew strength.
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The dog sleeps a lot and vomits
Finally, if our dog sleeps a lot, it could be due to poisoning. Ingestion or contact with toxic substances can cause a clinical picture that causes the dog to become drowsy and even in shock. If the dog sleeps a lot and trembles, has nervous tics, vomiting, diarrhea or neurological disorders, we should immediately consult a veterinarian, as we may face intoxication. Treatment is necessary and the prognosis remains unchanged.
Author of the article : Maria Besteiros.
