How long do dogs sleep at night

We all know that humans need at least 7 - 8 hours of sleep per night to rest and recover for a new day. But how much do dogs sleep? If your dog is spending around 12 hours of the day sleeping - then that’s completely normal. Anything above or below that timeframe might be an indication that your pup’s sleep cycle needs review.

If you're new to pup parenthood and have no idea how to know if your dog is sleeping enough, it can be difficult to figure out how you can help your dog get the best sleep possible.

This guide covers everything from how much do dogs sleepand the best dog beds to support a healthy sleep routine.

How much should dogs sleep?

The canine experts at the AKC recommend that the ideal range of sleep for dogs is 12 hours of sleep. Similar to a baby, a puppy sleeps for much longer and can be found snoozing for over 18 hours a day. While older dogs sleep less, their sleep schedule can range from 10 to 13 hours of sleep. Adult dogs sleep in frequent patterns, and they often tend to take power naps during the day.

The importance of sleep is similar for most mammals. Not only does quality sleep help restore energy, but it’s also one of the most vital functions for the immunity system, nervous system, organ function, memory, mood, behavior, and growth. As for senior dogs, which are five years or older - their sleep schedule includes 15 to 18 hours of sleep as they require more rest than younger dogs.

Additionally, dogs spread their sleep out. There’s no doubt you’ve caught your dog indulging in multiple naps throughout the day. Each dog has different sleep habits, depending on its breed, size, weight, and health. If your dog is sleeping too much or too little, it may be a sign that they have a health issue that a veterinarian can help identify.

Why do dogs sleep so much?

It can often seem like dogs sleep a lot more than they actually do because they scatter their sleep throughout the day. Most dogs will spend a longer amount of time sleeping during the night, then they will have short bursts of sleep throughout the day.

Surprisingly, many dogs only spend about 20% of the day being active. It was concluded that 50% of a dog’s day is spent snoozing in their dog bed, and another 30% lazing about and resting. In order to recover from high-intensity play and exercise, sleep is vital for canine energy restoration.

Larger dogs tend to sleep much more than smaller dogs. Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Sara Ochoa, suggests larger dogs such as Mastiffs and St. Bernards, who can weigh in excess of 200+ pounds, will spend much more time sleeping than a chihuahua.

Dr. Ochoa explains that the reason larger dogs tend to sleep more is that they are burning more calories and their bodies need to recharge. This is mostly applicable to pets that live more of a sedentary lifestyle. Working dogs like farm dogs and police dogs won’t sleep as much as they are trained to stay awake and be alert, they’re highly reactive to their environment.

It’s not uncommon for mammals to spend most of their days sleeping. Cats spend around 15 hours a day sleeping, hedgehogs snooze for up to 10 hours a day, and squirrels sleep for around 15 hours a day when they are not hibernating in the winter.

Do dogs dream?

If you’ve ever caught yourself watching your dog sleeping and wondering why they are twitching or moving a lot, it’s highly likely they are dreaming.

While there is no definite research that has clearly identified exactly how and why dogs dream, science is yet to fully discover the reasons behind human dreams. Leading researchers came to the conclusion that it’s most likely that dogs do have dreams because they enter rapid-eye movement sleep (REM), just like humans do.

A dog's sleep cycle is quite similar to a human’s cycle. Dogs have periods of wakefulness, non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM), and REM sleep. In a 1977 study into the sleep patterns of pointer dogs, scientists discovered that over a 24-hour period, dogs transitioned between several sleep stages.

According to the findings, 44% of the time was spent being alert, 21% being drowsy, 23% was in NREM sleep, and 12% in REM sleep.

How to help your dog sleep better

One of the most important things you can do as a dog owner to help your dog sleep better is to ensure they have a comfortable, supportive, and washable dog bed to relax and snooze on. From large dog beds to luxury dog beds, and even cooling dog beds - there are endless options to upgrade your furry friend's sleep.

If you have an active dog, a memory foam dog bed is a popular choice. Memory foam has a contouring effect on the muscles and joints. It caresses and conforms when there is movement so it’s perfect for pressure relief after a long day of play and exercise.

Besides upgrading your dog's bed, another way to regulate your dog's sleeping patterns is to regulate their eating cycle. Digesting issues are one of the key disruptors to a dog’s sleep cycle. Specialists suggest dogs eat at least 2 meals a day, but should not go 12 hours without eating.

Leaving a dog unfed for over 12 hours can create a hyperacidic reaction in the stomach leading to nausea and discomfort. It is important to feed them in between their sleep periods.

FAQ

How many hours does a dog sleep in a 24 hour period?

The sleep patterns of a dog varies according to factors like the dog’s breed, size, weight, diet, and health. A puppy will usually need up to 20 hours of sleep, while adult dogs require less rest than puppies and will only need an average of 13 hours a day. Senior dogs aged five and up, will require an average of 18 hours of sleep. Larger breeds like Saint Bernards, French Bulldogs or Mastiffs, will also sleep more than smaller dog breeds.

Why does my dog sleep all day?

Sleep habits vary from one dog to another however, it is very common for dogs to take power naps and sleep most of the day. In fact, dogs only spend 20% of the day being active while 80% of the time is spent sleeping or resting. The average hours of sleep a dog needs is 12 hours. If your dog is sleeping more or less than that, it may be time for a check-up.

Is it normal for a dog to sleep 20 hours a day?

If your dog is a puppy, then similar to babies, puppies require long hours of rest to develop and grow. Senior dogs that are older than five years can also sleep for up to 20 hours. However, for younger dogs an average of 12 to 15 hours of sleep is efficient. If you think your dog is sleeping too much, you may need to change something in their diet or take them to a veterinarian for a check up.

How much sleep do dogs need by age?

Newborn puppies require the most amount of sleep, which can be up to 20 hours a day, while young dogs (under five years old) require an average of 12 to 15 hours of sleep. Senior dogs, which are older than five years, will need more rest so they can sleep up to 18 hours a day.

Conclusion: Dog Sleep Matters

By providing a comfortable and supportive dog bed and creating a regular eating schedule, you can really help your dog get the best sleep possible. If you notice your dog is getting much less or much more than 12 hours of sleep a day, despite having a great dog bed and healthy eating routine, it may be time for a check-up.

Comment below and tell us all about your dog sleeping positions and habits. 

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Disclaimer. We love sleep and we want you to get the best sleep possible. But we do not provide medical advice. This blog is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical info, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on our blog.

Dogs sure can snooze. Unlike humans, who generally stay up all day and then sleep for one long stretch at night, dogs spread out their sleep time. In fact, they might only spend five hours a day being active, with half the day devoted to sleeping, and the remaining time resting.

As with humans, factors such as activity levels, age and health can all affect a dog’s need to sleep, as well as the quality of that sleep. Breed, size, weight and environment will also have a bearing on how much shut-eye they’ll take.

How many hours’ sleep does a dog need?

Adult dogs should roughly get between 12 and 14 hours sleep a day. This may sound like a lot, but their ancestral genetic coding tells them to expend energy only when needed, whether for hunting, or play and socialising. Larger breeds can sleep for even longer; up to 18 hours a day.

Meanwhile puppies are likely to sleep even more than adult dogs during the daytime. Despite being little balls of energy one minute, keen to play and explore the world, young pups find all that stimulation an exhausting business. You might see them suddenly keel over and take a nap mid-way through an activity to recharge – try to leave them to it, if you can. Sleeping is important to puppies’ development, and they can easily notch up 18 hours a day.

Puppy sleeping habits

In the early days, when you bring your puppy home, nighttime can be stressful for a puppy (and their owner) as they get used to a sleep routine – be prepared for some whining or yapping. Establish a pattern by making their crate comfy and keeping noise and light levels low – these are cues your pup will come to understand as ‘sleep time’.  If your puppy needs a potty break, keep your voice calm and soothing as you deal with that, so there’s as little stimulation as possible.

Is all dog sleep the same?

Within those many hours of doggy downtime, experts have pinpointed different types of rest. A dog’s day is averagely about 50% deep, restorative sleep, while a further 30% is more of a snooze, when their ears might be on low alert for any activity worth getting upright for.

You may notice your dog’s eyes twitch, their paws flick, or even a growl or two, during sleep. Rather like our rapid eye movement (REM), this is their dreaming time, when they’re re-living the day – maybe finally winning that battle over the big stick with another dog in the park.

Sometimes your dog may express extreme agitation, which could be a nightmare. Don’t wake them up: they may be scared, or lash out in fear. You could try and calm a troubled sleeper by gently stroking their back and using a reassuring voice to soothe them.

Where should dogs sleep?

Curled up, legs sprawled out, tum exposed on their back, awkwardly ranged across floor and sofa... Dogs choose myriad – and often hilarious – sleeping positions! Depending on their breed, too, some will sleep in a way that lets them breathe more easily or keep warm (or cool). You may often see your dog circling or ‘digging’ before settling – a throwback to their wolfish past, when they’d make a sleeping den in the wild.

While they may nap all over the place, providing your pooch with a dog bed is essential for their wellbeing and happiness. It gives them a space which is only for sleeping, and somewhere to go if they want some ‘me time’.

A dog bed needn’t be expensive, but for older dogs, consider a thicker, comfier bed to provide support for fragile bones.

What’s stopping your dog sleeping?

If your dog’s sleeping behaviour seems to change radically – for example, a typically active dog seems constantly fatigued, or vice versa – there could be a number of reasons for the change, and it’s worth taking seriously. Causes of alterations in sleep habits could include:

A change in diet

Some foods may be less digestible for your dog than others, and their sleep could suffer as a result.

Pain

Restlessness can be a sign of pain in our pets. Many dogs experience some degree of arthritis as they age, which can make settling down a trial.

Underlying health conditions

Thyroid problems are often signalled by lethargy and a disinclination to exercise. Lethargy may also indicate an underlying heart condition or diabetes

Doggy dementia

Older dogs’ behaviour can change in many ways, including their sleeping patterns. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), also known as doggy dementia, may result in disturbed nights.

If you’ve noticed a big change to your dog’s sleeping patterns, it’s always wise to pay a visit to the vet, to check all is well.