How Much Sleep Should My Dog Get?
How much sleep does your pup get in a day? The life of a dog can often times seem pretty lackadaisical. At Sit Means Sit South Denver, we hear from dog owners who fear their fur babies are simply sleeping too much. As leading providers of Lakewood dog training services, we are always happy to help dog owners dispel concerns and determine if they have reason to worry. If you are worried that your pup sleeps too much, consider the following. If you are curious if your dog should sleep in a crate we have an article here.
Do Dogs Require More Sleep Than Humans?
While it may seem excessive at times, dogs are actually hardwired to need more sleep than their human counterparts. Because their sleep pattern is different than ours, it is typical for a dog to spend 50% of their day sleeping, 30% resting but awake and 20% of their day being active. If your dog falls into this pattern, he or she has a healthy sleep pattern. Why do they need so much sleep? Because they only fall into a deep sleep 8% to 12% of the time, the rest is a slow wave sleep. To balance all of this out, our furry friends simply need to catch more z’s.
Do Older Dogs Need More Sleep?
We have already established that even young, healthy dogs require a lot of sleep. However, aging dogs require even more. Part of the canine lifecycle includes the need for lots of rest at the beginning of life, when they are rambunctious puppies, and later in life as they advance in age. Depending on the size and breed of your dog, they will enter their older years at different times. Larger breeds age faster than smaller pups. On average, your dog will start to need more sleep between the ages of 7 and 10. If you begin to notice your dog sleeping more at this point, it may very well be a product of aging.
Are Your Dog’s Sleep Patterns Indicative of Their Health?
If you feel that your pup is sleeping too much and is sluggish when awake, this can be the sign of a more serious health issue. Luckily, many of the health issues that can cause your dog to sleep more than usual can be treated. If you are concerned, we encourage you to make an appointment with your vet and log your pup’s sleep pattern in the meantime. This information can be very helpful in diagnosing the problem. Health issues in dogs that can contribute excessive sleepiness include:
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Hypothyroidism
- Liver Disease
- Heart Disease
- Kennel Cough
- Parvovirus
Give Your Pup a Natural Energy Boost!
If you feel your pup could use a natural energy boost, there are several things you can do to help put some pep in their step. Get more exercise together! Just as you feel lethargic when you are inactive, so too does your pup. Make it a point to take a brisk walk or a jog together. Just 10 to 15 minutes of cardio activity daily can get you both back on track. Speak with your vet about your dog’s diet. Can you switch up their food to something of higher quality that will give them more energy? And finally, play together! The stimulation of play can challenge your dog’s brain and again give them a natural energy boost.
Schedule Your Free Dog Training Consultation Today!
There you have it, if your dog sleeps a lot throughout the day it may very well be normal. If you feel that it is excessive, speak to your vet and rule out any health problem. If your pup checks out, make it a point to exercise and play together. We promise, it will do you both some good! Are you interested in receiving more tips and tricks from your favorite Lakewood dog trainer? If so, we encourage you to subscribe to our blog and schedule a free Lakewood dog training consultation. Allow us to show you the Sit Means Sit methodology first hand! Schedule your consultation today.