How much sleep do dogs need? A commonly asked question, especially by new pet owners. The exact answer depends on your dog’s age, breed, and lifestyle, but most adult dogs spend over half the day asleep! We’ll explore this, along with how to ensure your pet gets their much-needed shut-eye.
Why is sleep important?
Sleep is essential for both physical and mental health. It gives your dog time to rest and repair, which is needed throughout their life. Sleep is also important for energy conservation, a necessity for your dog’s wild ancestors between stints of hunting and socialising.
A dog that doesn’t get enough sleep could start to show behavioural issues and may struggle with other aspects of their day. We’ll look at the best ways of setting your dog up for sleep success later!
How much sleep do dogs need?
While the exact amount of sleep each dog needs can vary between breeds, activity levels, and health status, things can be broadly broken down into life stages –
Puppies
Puppies go through a period of rapid growth and brain development. Sleep plays an important role in this, but they can be unsettled at night – just like human babies!
A study by the DogsTrust demonstrated that younger dogs sleep for less time at night than older dogs do, but they make up for this with more naps in the day. This is probably because their brains are processing lots of new information, but also because they need to toilet more frequently than an older dog. The good news is that most dogs will sleep through the night by around 4 months of age.
A puppy is likely to need 18 to 20 hours of sleep when they are very young, which drops to around 14-16 hours by the time they are 6 months old.
Adult dogs
Most adult dogs will spend around 50% of the day sleeping, which is more than most humans. The exact amount will vary between different sizes, personalities, and lifestyles, but the average dog will need 12 – 14 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period. This includes a solid block of deep sleep overnight as well as a couple of lighter naps during the day. Large breeds may sleep longer than this and could rest for 18 hours a day!
Senior dogs
Older dogs will still need 12- 14 hours sleep each day. You may find that your pet tires more easily as they age, which, to a certain extent, is normal, but it could also indicate an underlying issue.
If your older pet is spending more time sleeping and less time exercising, it could be an indicator of a health problem such as painful osteoarthritis, metabolic disease, or a heart complaint.
Alternatively, some owners report that their dog starts to wake up more at night. Again, there are multiple reasons why this could occur, but canine cognitive dysfunction is common in senior pets. Some people refer to this as ‘doggy dementia’ and may notice other signs like increased vocalisation and confusion.
Establishing a dog sleep schedule
From an early age, a dog sleep schedule or bedtime routine can help your dog settle more easily in the evenings –
Ø Don’t feed your dog too late. Ideally, feed your dog 3 hours before bedtime. This allows him time to digest his meal before a long overnight stretch.
Ø Allow him one last toilet attempt. Make sure your dog goes out last thing before bed so that they empty their bladder and bowels.
Ø Have a nighttime cue. Encourage your dog into bed each night with a command word or phrase. A small treat may help to build a positive association.
Ø Make sure your dog’s bed is a safe space. Your pet’s bed should be in a quiet, draft-free location.
Ø Try to encourage them to stay in their bed. Dogs and their owners tend to get a better night’s sleep with fewer disturbances when they sleep in their own beds, rather than sharing.
Don’t forget to try and leave your dog undisturbed when they choose to have their daytime nap. It’s important to build some downtime into your day so that your dog has time to recharge.
My dog’s sleeping hours have changed – what should I do?
If your pet’s sleeping habits have changed, then speak to your vet for advice. Sleeping more or less than normal could be a sign of an underlying health issue. If your vet rules out medical problems, and a behavioural issue seems likely, then they will be able to help you tackle this as well.
Summary
Sleep is essential for your dog’s health, and it is important that they get enough each day. If your pet’s sleep habits change, then you must discuss this with your vet, in case there is an underlying health issue that needs addressing.
