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Hush! There is finally some peace at home, and the sofa cushions are in their perfect place. That's when you really know your dog is sleeping. Of course, you would adore your dog while they're asleep, but this might also leave you wondering- how much do dogs sleep on average in a day? Let's find out more about the sleeping habits of your furry friend!
How Many Hours a Day Do Dogs Sleep?
Research shows that dogs sleep for around 10 to 12 hours over a day. However, comparing adult dogs who are 1 to 5 years old, puppies and older dogs have irregular sleep patterns and need additional sleep. Adult dogs require around 8 to 13.5 hours of sleep every day. Puppies and old dogs, on the other hand, sleep for 18 to 20 hours a day.
Let's finally unravel why our dogs sleep in polyphasic patterns, meaning those who sleep in multiple bouts throughout the day with an average sleep time of 45 minutes.
Breed Of Dogs That Sleep The Most
Some breeds of dogs are known to have unlimited energy, known and petted for being enthusiastic and with a brim of energy. Still, certain breeds of dogs sleep like a 2-month-old baby; that is almost throughout the day!
Below mentioned are the top 5 breeds of dogs that sleep the most:
1. Bulldog: known for its absolute commendable ability to sleep all day long. They are lazy, sweet, and friendly. Unfortunately, they are known to snore loudly.
2. Mastiffs: being one of the giant breed dogs, they require a large amount of energy to run around, thereby making up for lost energy by sleeping throughout the day.
3. Greyhound: often called the couch potato, has a running speed that is almost impossible to catch and match for a human being. Nicknamed a sprinter, these dogs sleep a lot during the day to replenish their energy.
4. Saint Bernard, another giant breed that assisted in finding lost travelers through heavy snow, is one of the strongest dogs that would be found sleeping a lot throughout the whole day.
5. Great Dane: recognized as the largest dogs in the world, they need a lot of energy to not hurt people with their weight and space. Although the most docile ones, they would be found being cozy and sleeping all day long.
REM Sleep In Dogs
REM, or Rapid Eye Movement sleep cycles as it is referred to, is the eyes moving around rapidly in a range of directions but not sending any visual information to the brain. As a result, dogs' sleep cycles are pretty short, ranging to 45 minutes, unlike humans, who can have continuous hours of sleep.
During that time, dogs will cycle through REM and non-REM sleep twice, spending about six minutes in the REM or dream stage. You would notice your dog twitching or moving when he's in his sleep for 20 minutes, indicating they're experiencing eye movements but no visual sensations in the brain.
REM lasts about two to three minutes in dogs. During that time, the dog's mental activity is highlighted, including increased breathing patterns and hefty sounds. In addition, researchers have found out that dogs' smaller muscles aren't paralyzed during this time, unlike their major muscles.
How Much Do Puppies Sleep?
Pondering the fact, “do puppies sleep a lot ?” Why do pups sleep all day long? The answer on their sleeping and diet factors.
On an estimate, puppies sleep so much, say for 18 to 20 hours a day which is slowly reduced as and when they grow old and intake sufficient nutrition while they're in their nascent growth stages.
How Much Does An Adult Dog Sleep?
Commonly dogs spend around 50% of their time sleeping throughout the day. Generally, adult dogs require 8 to 13 hours of sleep for a day, but the sleeping average is positively below 11 hours throughout 24 hours. In comparison, humans sleep at a stretch for 8 hours or more, making us monophasic sleepers.
How Much Sleep Does A Senior Dog Sleep?
You're not the only dog parent who always thinks, “if the dog sleeps by age? “. Yes, this is true. A senior dog if belonging from:
- Small dogs: are considered senior citizens of the canine community when they reach 11 years of age.
- Medium-sized dogs: become seniors at 10 years of age.
- Large-sized dogs: are seniors at 8 years of age.
- Giant-breed: are seniors at 7 years old
Can sleep for 18 to 20 hours a day. The older the dogs get, the more sleep they need. Just like humans of 60+ an age need more rest, an older dog requires more sleep when compared to their younger fellow mates.
Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much?
Being curious about your dog’s sleeping pattern and time is an expected behavior among pet owners. Ranging from factors like breed, dietary habits, climate, and sleeping cycles are often the reasons for the same. However, most dogs prefer sleeping if there is nothing better to do for the day. Below mentioned are some top reasons why dogs sleep all day?
1. Dogs are much more receptive to sound and visual motions: making them alert continuously.
2. Dogs have an extremely sharp sense of smell. Therefore, their capacity to remember smells is attentive, even if they are pungent or soothing.
3. Being the creatures who are active all day long, running, hounding, chasing, and being proactive, they are required to replenish their energy.
4. Dogs tend to have much shorter sleep cycles, ranging from 35 to 45 minutes, making them rest more.
5. They drool throughout the day, breathing heavily, leading them to snore for the maximum time of the day.
As mentioned, pups sleep more than adult dogs as they need additional vitality to grow robust and agile.
Is It Normal For Dogs To Sleep All Day?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, dogs spend at least 50% of their time sleeping a day, rest 20% of the time they can be playful and active, while the remaining 30% of the time, they lay around or be lazy about the place.
So, researchers say that it is ABSOLUTELY NORMAL for dogs to sleep all day long. But dog owners must also be vigilant about excessive sleeping patterns of their dogs and consult vets if these habits increase continuously over a period of time.
When To Seek Medical Advice
Generally, it is optimal to find your dog sleeping most during the day. Still, if your dog is sleeping more than what seems normal to their patterns, that's when it might be a sign they have a health issue. Situations when you need to consult your vet:
- While you're playing with your dog, they want to sleep instead. This condition is called narcolepsy.
- When your dog's sleeping hours or pattern or habits have changed. Likely in positions, reduced sleep cycle, or high limb movements during sleep.
- It's hard to wake up your dog out of bed in the morning.
- Your dog's eating and playing time are disturbed or changed.
- If there is an unwillingness to run, perform body movements, and play their favorite games by them
- Your dog overlooks their favorite treat or activity and prefers to sleep over it.
- Increased urination or decreased appetite.
- Blackout and zoning out during random moments on most days.
How To Make A Dog Go To Sleep?
Humans follow a sleeping routine and thereby maintain a healthy lifestyle. Similarly, curating a fixed sleep schedule, eating orders and playing time for dogs will help them recognize the specific duration of particular activities.
Do not share your bed with your dog. Instead, get a comfortable dog bed and give them favorable environment to sleep in but not extremely cool places as it can make them lazy or sick.
Give your dog enough exercise and physical movements throughout the day, making them tired and leading to better fulfilling sleep.
Natural Sleep Aid For Dogs
Organic and natural remedies like valerian, chamomile, and passionflower help with canine insomnia. They have calming properties to soothe restless dogs.
Give these herbal remedies one hour before the dogs' sleeping time for up to two weeks. Then, with an iterated schedule, you will experience the results shortly.
Conclusion
Ultimately, it is normal for a dog to sleep all day or 50% of the day. Of course, sleeping hours may vary from breed to breed, dietary patterns, and climate, but dogs, being hyperactive, tend to use a lot of energy.
The final blow would be considered if your dog has changed its sleeping habits, is more lethargic, or is getting blackouts during their favorite time and activities of the day. It then would be the time to consider taking your dog to a veterinarian.
