How Many Hours a Day Do Dogs Sleep?

You’re all ready to go for a walk and you turn around to find your dog asleep in his dog bed….again. That’s the fourth nap that he’s taken today – is it normal? Let’s take a look at how many hours a day dogs sleep.

Dogs Sleep a Lot More Than Humans Do

Adult dogs typically spend between 12 and 14 hours over each 24-hour period asleep. This exact sleep requirement can vary according to the dog, his breed, and his age. As your dog ages, he may need more sleep than he did when he was younger. Puppies tend to need between 18 and 20 hours of sleep, though their needs for sleep decrease as they age. Your dog will spend most of the night asleep, and then he’ll catch up on the sleep he missed with naps throughout the day. Dogs can sleep when things are boring, and can quickly be awake if a fun activity, like a walk, arises.

How to Help Your Dog Get Better Sleep

There are a number of ways that you can help your dog to get better quality sleep. Discomfort can disturb your dog’s sleep, so provide him with a soft spot, like a dog bed, where he can sleep. It’s also important to position this bed in an area where your dog feels secure. Putting the bed in a corner or other area which is somewhat secluded and which the dog sees as “his” can allow him to feel secure in going to sleep.

You can also help your dog to sleep better by providing him with lots of activity and exercise during the day. If your dog doesn’t get enough exercise on a particular day, he may have a harder time staying asleep because of his excess energy.

If your dog is suffering from a condition which causes discomfort, like arthritis, then the quality of his sleep may be affected. If you notice that your dog is sore or uncomfortable, take him to the vet for evaluation and treatment.

Signs That There’s Something Wrong With Your Dog’s Sleep

Dogs sleep a lot, but sometimes things go wrong. If you notice that your dog is suddenly sleeping much more or much less than he normally does, there may be something amiss. Other reasons to be concerned would be if your dog breathes unevenly or moans heavily in his sleep.

You will also want to keep an eye out for unusual lethargy. If your dog is suddenly reluctant to get up from a nap to go for a walk or have his dinner, it’s time to take him to the vet. Lethargy can indicate any number of illnesses and ailments, and it’s a symptom that you should never ignore in your dog.