How Long Do Dogs Sleep?

How long do dogs sleep? Dogs sleep at least half of their lives. You only need short sleep phases and not every nap of the fur noses leads to deep sleep. But lack of sleep can have serious consequences. In this article, you will get an answer to the question “How long do dogs sleep?”!

How long do dogs sleep? How much do dogs sleep?

How long do dogs sleep? Many dog owners ask themselves this question, but there is no general answer. A dog’s need for sleep depends on various criteria. Seniors and puppies can sleep up to 22 hours a day. The same goes for sick animals. A healthy dog in its prime sleeps at least 12 to 14 hours a day, some up to 18 hours.

In addition to age, the need for sleep also depends on race and temperament. Examples of particularly tired animals include:

• Beagle
• Boxer
• Bulldog
• German shepherd dog
• Golden retriever
• Labrador Retrievers
• Pug

Basically, large dog breeds need more sleep than small ones. Active breeds tend not to sleep as much of the day, but they sleep differently. And that is exactly the main reason why dogs need so much sleep: they rarely sleep soundly.

How long does a dog sleep a day?

The average daily sleep time for an adult dog is between 14 and 18 hours. Puppies, as well as old and sick dogs, can sleep over 20 hours a day.

Types of sleep in dogs: dozing, resting & deep sleep

Dogs are generally alert. This character trait corresponds on the one hand to their origin as wild animals and on the other hand to their current tasks. If there are unusual noises or movements around the house during the night, the dog reacts by growling and barking. A dog in the house is always a good watchman. According to a study by the University of Graz, around 50 percent of burglars who have already been arrested said that they avoided houses and apartments with dogs. They fear the risk of being caught by the dogs barking.

Dogs fulfill their task as natural alarm systems because they rarely sleep soundly. Most of the time they just rest and doze off. Unlike humans, dogs only experience two different types of sleep.

Slow Wave Sleep (SWS) is an early stage of sleep, a short nap or doze. In this phase, the dog relaxes, but is physically fully active and reacts immediately to noises and movements.
As in humans, the REM phase is also the deep sleep phase in dogs. He dreams, maybe snores, and twitches his legs. Occasionally he squeaks in his sleep or barks softly to himself. He processes the experiences of the day in his dreams. At this stage, the dog is effectively recovering and should not be awakened.

How long does a dog last at night?

Dogs adapt to the sleeping habits of their humans. As a result, they often sleep or doze throughout the night. After eight hours at the latest, however, the dog should have the opportunity to do its business. Puppies and seniors need the opportunity to do this after just a few hours.

How Long Do Dogs Sleep During REM? While humans spend around 25 percent of their sleep time in the REM phase, dogs only spend ten percent. Dogs compensate for this difference through increased rest periods in light SWS.

The four-legged friend adapts his sleeping times to his environment and the demands placed on him. If the animals live in a family, they usually also sleep at night. At the same time, they are particularly alert at night and therefore do not sleep deeply. To compensate, they distribute their sleeping quota in small units throughout the day. Working dogs, as well as police, service, and service dogs, work during the day. You only sleep well enough after work, so to speak. If they are not in use, they put in longer sleep phases. Unlike most people, dogs do not enjoy their sleep in one go, but in many small portions.

Extensive sleeping during the day can be a sign of boredom in dogs. As a result, the dog can no longer sleep at night. Insomnia then torments him precisely at the time when his people are not available to him. It is therefore important to exercise dogs sufficiently during the day. In addition to walks, small four-legged friends need at least 30 minutes of mental work a day, large dogs more. You can find tips on keeping your dog busy in our article “Keeping a dog busy”.

Effects of sleep deprivation in dogs

In all mammals, sleep is an important prerequisite for their physical and mental well-being as well as their performance. Permanent lack of sleep has serious consequences, such as:

• earlier occurrence of age-related diseases
• shortening of life expectancy
• reduced ability to concentrate and learn
• increased forgetfulness
• increased nervousness and irritability
• development of depression

Does it make sense for a dog to sleep all day?

If a dog sleeps 24 hours a day, an illness may be the cause. This excessive need for sleep must be checked by a veterinarian.

In particularly bad cases, a permanent lack of sleep can even be life-threatening for the dog. It damages the immune system and the metabolism and in the worst case can lead to a complete collapse. Dogs show the lack of sleep in different phases:

• restless to overexcited behavior
• gross motor, unfocused behavior
• irritability and nervousness
• sickness and aggressiveness
• serious illnesses to chronic illnesses, severe health hazards

While the dog initially attracts attention due to its exaggerated and restless behavior, it already appears unconcentrated with a persistent lack of sleep and shows strong gross motor skills. If the lack of sleep persists, the next phases gradually occur. In the last phase, the dog finally falls ill. The search for the causes of this is difficult if the lack of sleep goes undetected. It is therefore important to observe and support the dog intensively at the first signs.

When the dog doesn’t want to or can’t sleep

There are many possible causes of lack of sleep. They range from banal external influences such as excessive noise exposure to chronic health problems and pain. Excessive stimulation of the animal by frequent disturbances in its sleep phases leads to a lack of sleep, as does the smell of a bitch in heat in the nose of a male. While the bitch goes into heat after a while, it is up to the dog owner to give his animal the rest it needs. Children in the household should also learn not to disturb the sleeping dog and ask them to play.

Dogs are often sensitive to changes in their living conditions. A move, separation from one of their owners, or having a baby in the house can upset the dog so much that he can’t sleep. Even sleep apnea is possible in dogs. The danger is particularly high in dogs with short muzzles such as bulldogs, Boston terriers, or pugs. When a dog snores, owners should monitor the breathing.

The following diseases can also be responsible for insomnia in dogs:

• osteoarthritis pain
• cardiovascular diseases
• lung problems
• allergies
• thyroid dysfunction

Last but not least, the sleeping place of the dog can be the cause of his sleep disorders.

What happens when a dog sleeps too little?

Lack of sleep initially leads to restless, nervous behavior. In the long term, it can cause aggression, depression, and serious illnesses.

Does the dog sleep a lot?

A dog’s excessive need for sleep can also have serious causes. If the dog suddenly sleeps more and longer than usual, a veterinary examination should ensure safety. Typical diseases in which dogs noticeably change their sleeping behavior are, for example, diabetes or a malfunction of the thyroid gland.

How to encourage dog sleep

Dogs learn how to sleep properly when they are puppies. Like small children, they often cannot judge for themselves when it is time to sleep. It is therefore important to support the puppy in this. He needs a quiet environment that is as noise-free as possible. It is often helpful that his human lies down with him. Light massages with slow circular movements with the fingers on the body calm puppies and adult dogs.

It’s helpful to take the dog to his favorite spot right after the walk and give him a small treat or chew. So he nibbles himself to sleep with relish. A constant daily rhythm with fixed sleeping times is also useful.

How do dogs sleep best?

For a peaceful night’s sleep, dogs need a place to sleep close to their humans, but in a quiet area of the room.

The right place to sleep

The dog’s sleeping place is another important aspect for adequate sleep. Dogs have different habits and favorite places. However, some general rules support you in your healthy sleep. The following criteria are therefore important for the optimal sleeping place:

• quiet area in the room
• near the people
• with one’s back to the wall
• protected from drafts and sun
• not right next to the heater
• sufficient freedom of movement

Freedom of movement is important when choosing a pillow or basket. Many dogs feel safe in a protected area like the dog basket or their dog crate. However, they should also be able to stretch out comfortably in it. Some dogs also love to rest their heads slightly higher on a pillow. Dog beds with soft borders offer the perfect opportunity for this.