Sleep – for some of us it is one of our favourite things to do, for others dealing with insomnia this wonderful state proves to be downright elusive. It is a much talked about area, how well we slept, whether we had dreams, how little we slept… Like people, dogs will sleep for different amounts of time. Have you ever wondered about how long should dogs sleep? It’s something that I have questioned as my spaniel seems to spend vast amounts of the day snoozing. Here’s what I found out.
How long should dogs sleep?
Just as people’s sleep habits will vary from person to person, the sleep habits of our canine friends can vary greatly depending on the size and the breed of the dog. On average, a dog will sleep between 12 – 14 hours a day. Larger breeds or puppies can require around 18 hours of sleep. Most dogs will sleep while their owners are sleeping, which is roughly 8 hours at night. Naps taken at various points throughout the day make up the remainder of the sleep time. That’s a whopping 10 hours of sleep during the day for a big dog or a puppy.
Unlike humans, it is very unusual for a dog to experience insomnia. If your dog isn’t sleeping it could be due to a health condition. This could be arthritis pain or a kidney problem and needs investigation by a vet.
What does your dog’s sleeping position tell you?
The position in which a dog sleeps can tell us a lot about how relaxed the dog is. Many dogs feel most comfortable curled up in a ball sleeping nose to tail. Dogs in this position have their legs tucked in too so don’t tend to twitch or move much. If a dog sleeps on his side, this shows he is very comfortable and does not feel threatened by his surroundings. Sleeping on his stomach allows a dog to nap but it also allows him to get up onto all fours quickly if necessary.
What are the sleep stages in dogs?
Your dog goes through 3 sleep stages: non rapid eye movement, rapid eye movement, and short-wave sleep. Humans spend 25% of their sleep time in REM (the sleep stage where we dream), whereas dogs only spend 10% of their sleep in the rapid eye movement state.
How to get your dog to sleep in the car
Not all dogs find it easy to sleep on a car journey. Some dogs are too excited at the thought of going on an outing that they can’t settle down. Others are simply too anxious to relax enough to sleep. Ensuring your car is properly equipped for travelling with dogs is one way to reduce anxiety in your dog. Simply installing a vehicle-specific guard such as a Travall Guard means that the dog has a comfortable area at the back of the vehicle. The vehicle-specific design ensures a rattle-free fit, so there is no anxiety about the guard being noisy or having the potential to move out of place. Installing a Travall Liner makes the floor of the boot more comfortable. Adding in a favourite blanket provides some familiar and comforting smells. Your dog will be relaxed enough to snooze on a journey in no time, allowing you to get on with the important task of driving.
What to do if your dog is sleeping too much
So, how long should dogs sleep? There’s no hard and fast answer… but if you’re concerned – always ask your vet. If you notice your dog is sleeping more than usual there could be 2 reasons for this. The first is that he is quite simply bored and is sleeping for something to do. Give him more things to play with or more stimulation. If this resolves the issue you don’t need to investigate further. However, if the dog is still sleeping more despite your attempts at keeping him active, it may be that there is an underlying health problem and this may need a visit to the vet’s office.
Information given in this article is not a substitute for advice from a qualified medical professional. Please consult a vet for advice specific to your dog.
