This is Why Your Dog Sleeps So Much

Written by Marisa Wilson
Updated: January 24, 2023
Share on:

Advertisement


Everybody has encountered dogs that appear capable of dozing down anywhere, occasionally in the silliest situations. Dogs’ immune systems, metabolism, and other vital processes depend heavily on sleep. Dogs’ bodies spend most of the night producing proteins that repair the tissue damage done from when they are awake and are more metabolically active. Sleep is essential for dogs, but can too much be a bad sign? 

If your doggie is sleeping more than usual, there could be a few causes. Let’s review why your dog sleeps so much and when you should be worried. Try to stay awake as you read this post about your pup’s sleeping habits.

How much Sleep do Dogs Need? 

sleeping beagle

Dogs spend approximately 50% of their time asleep, although older dogs and puppies require the most sleep

©Kuznetsov Alexey/Shutterstock.com

Dogs typically spend up to 50% of their time sleeping, 30% of their waking hours relaxing, and just 20% being active. Older dogs need more sleep simply because they get tired quickly, and bigger breeds generally spend more time sleeping. How much sleep does your dog need? This section will cover it.

How much Sleep do Puppies Need?

Puppies play until they are exhausted, just like babies do. They may require up to 18 to 20 hours of sleep to restore their energy. They will need a sleep schedule because they aren’t yet physically able to go for extended periods without going to the bathroom. This is normal if you have a puppy under twenty weeks, and you shouldn’t worry.

How much do Adult Dogs Sleep?

Dogs’ peculiar habits may give the impression that they are constantly sleeping. Dogs don’t just sleep at night as people do; they also sleep for a while during the day. Although it may appear like they always take naps, they only get about 12 to 14 hours of sleep each day. You may be more aware of their sleeping habits because your schedule differs from yours.

How much Sleep do Senior Dogs Need?

You can anticipate your adult dog’s naps to lengthen gradually as they age—around seven. They will require more time to recover from exercise and become more easily exhausted. Changes in the timing of their naps are also typical. Older dogs sleep longer during the day and wake up more frequently at night. They may sleep around 18 hours as puppies do at this age.

When Should you Worry about Dogs Sleeping? 

brown dog sleeping on a leather dog bed

If your dogs sleeping pattern suddenly changes or they become difficult to wake up then you should have them checked out by a vet

©ResolutionDigital/Shutterstock.com

Concern should be expressed if your dog’s sleeping patterns or schedule undergo any significant changes, whether they’re napping more than usual or being active when your dog would usually be sleeping. Dogs who are particularly difficult to wake up or who lack the motivation to engage in their usual interests should be checked by a vet. 

Keep a sleep diary for your dog and schedule a visit with your veterinarian if you discover that your pup is sleeping more than usual or having difficulty waking up. There are a few reasons your dog might be sleeping longer. If your dog does change sleep habits, a checkup could help ensure your pup is in tip-top shape. Let’s look at some of the causes. 

Hypothyroidism

Your dog may have hypothyroidism if they have been recently very sleepy or if there are problems with their skin or hair. Fortunately, thyroid issues in dogs are simple to identify and treat. Vets know the effects of hypothyroidism in dogs and how to treat it, even though the precise origin of thyroid malfunction in our canine friends remains unknown.

Most frequently, dogs between the ages of 4 and 10 are found to have hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism in dogs is typically brought on by an autoimmune condition that decreases or inflames the thyroid tissue. No known genetic causes exist. 

Diabetes

dog head on bed

Sweet-smelling breath and excessive fatigue could be signs that your dog is suffering from diabetes.

©Patryk Kosmider/Shutterstock.com

Unusually sweet-smelling breath is another sign that your animal might be diabetic. Because your animal will be burning fat instead of sugar, their body will begin to produce ketones, specifically acetone, which can cause sweet, fruity breath. Animals with diabetes frequently exhibit signs of fatigue and reluctance to engage in some of their routine activities.

An animal with diabetes may experience weakening in certain muscles, and because they may also be suffering from malnutrition, they will spend more time sleeping and less time being active. Vomiting may result from ketoacidosis, particularly if your pet has advanced diabetes. Older animals are more likely to experience this, but it’s crucial to consult your veterinarian in case of vomiting.

Stress, Illness, or Diet

Stress or boredom are also factors that can affect your dogs sleeping pattern and cause them to sleep more

©nik174/Shutterstock.com

A dog experiencing emotional problems like worry, stress, or boredom would sleep a lot. If your dog is nervous or anxious, you’ll notice that they become lethargic and frequently fall asleep. Giving the dog a program of activities might help to stimulate and improve both its mental and physical health. Your dog may become more sleepy or lethargic due to various illnesses.

Infectious disorders frequently exhibit additional symptoms, aiding your veterinarian in diagnosing. People who consume sugar or high-fat diets tend to “crash” in the middle of the day, and dogs with inadequate diets will become sluggish and do the same. Their lack of energy or excess weight may also cause them to sleep more during the day. If you believe your dog’s increased slumber results from weight gain, think about portion management for your pet!

Conclusion

You may feel like sleeping more than eight hours a day is excessive, and it would be for humans! In dogs, it’s expected. Dogs sleep a ton, and often it’s normal. However, if you notice your doggie sleeping more than usual, it’s always best to get them a complete check-up. 

This will help your dog if they have any underlining health issues. Once the underlining problem is treated, they may be more energetic. It could be urgent if you notice your dog vomiting, coughing, or acting sick. 

Other dog owners may be worried about their dogs sleeping habits too. It may help them if you share this post with them, so they know what’s normal and what’s not. You might find our other articles helpful, and they are linked below.

Up Next:

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Kuznetsov Alexey/Shutterstock.com

Ready to discover the top 10 cutest dog breeds in the entire world?

How about the fastest dogs, the largest dogs and those that are -- quite frankly -- just the kindest dogs on the planet? Each day, AZ Animals sends out lists just like this to our thousands of email subscribers. And the best part? It's FREE. Join today by entering your email below.

What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

X-Small
Small
Medium
Large
Xtra-Large

If you have kids or existing dogs select:

Kids
Other Dogs

Should they be Hypoallergenic?

Yes
No
How important is health?
Which dog groups do you like?
How much exercise should your dog require?
What climate?
How much seperation anxiety?
How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
How trainable/obedient does the dog need to be?
How intelligent does the dog need to be?
How much chewing will allow?

Share on:
About the Author

Creepy-crawly creatures enthrall Marisa. Aside from raising caterpillars, she has a collection of spiders as pets. The brown recluse is her favorite spider of all time. They're just misunderstood. You don't have to worry about squishing the creatures as her catching, and relocating abilities can safely move stray centipedes or snakes to a new location that's not your living room.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Ultimate Pet Nutrition, Available here: https://ultimatepetnutrition.com/why-my-dog-sleeping-so-much-sudden/
  2. The Wildest, Available here: https://www.thewildest.com/dog-behavior/my-dog-sleeps-all-day-normal
  3. Pet Keen, Available here: https://petkeen.com/why-is-my-dog-sleeping-more-than-usual/
  4. Vet Help Direct, Available here: https://vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2020/05/23/is-my-dog-sleeping-too-much/