When is the time to start worrying about your dog’s sleeping schedule? If you’ve been asking yourself lately why your dog sleeps so much, maybe it is time to read about these 7 possible reasons behind it.
There are other questions that need to be answered, which are of great importance. For example, is this something that started recently? How long does your dog actually sleep? And, are there other changes in your dog’s behavior?
Answering these questions will give you the answer to why your dog sleeps so much. However, it is important to know that if you suspect your dog has health issues accompanying sleeping disorders, or showing symptoms such as avoiding food, throwing up, etc. — take your dog to the vet.
Now, let’s answer those questions.
Why Does My Dog Sleep So Much?
First of all, let’s see how long dogs sleep every day. The normal hours of sleep for a healthy adult dog is around 15 hours a day. This is the total amount of naps and sleep time they have during the day.
They sleep so much because they can. It is as simple as that. Dogs don’t have busy schedules, jobs, kids, phones, TV shows, and other social activities we people do every day that distract us from sleeping.
Your Labrador Retriever has no one to pick up from football practice, and they don’t have to do all the chores or answer all the emails. So, they can allow themselves to sleep as much as they feel like.
Who knows… maybe we would sleep just like dogs if we had the same amount of time.
However, a dog will sleep more than usual for these 7 reasons.
1. Dog Age
Puppy, adult, and senior dogs have different sleeping schedules. It is normal for puppies and senior dogs to sleep more than adult dogs.
That means you can find your puppy sleeping even more than 15 hours a day. Of course, they don’t sleep continuously for 15 hours without waking up.
They have more naps throughout the day.
It is the same for senior dogs. But, keep an eye on your senior dog. If you notice he’s getting lethargic or avoiding food, a trip to the vet is a must.
If you want to have some sense of order in your home, it is very important to make a good puppy schedule and stick to it.
2. Dog Breed
Not all dog breeds need the same amount of sleep during the day. Some dogs were bred to be more active than others. This is usually some working group of dogs or hunting dogs.
Also, bigger dog breeds tend to sleep more than small dog breeds, but this isn’t a rule. The Pekingese is a small dog breed, and they like to sleep a lot, too.
Some other dog breeds that like to sleep more than other breeds are:
- Newfoundland
- Great Dane
- Greyhound
- Shih Tzu
If you plan on getting a dog, but you don’t have the time for long, everyday walks, you can choose one of the low-energy dogs that don’t need that much exercise.
3. Boredom
If they have nothing to do for the most part of the day, dogs will simply sleep more than usual. They will wait until you are free to play or spend time with them.
There is nothing wrong with this behavior; however, if you leave your dog bored for too long every day, some dog breeds can turn that boredom into destructiveness.
This is often the case with highly active dog breeds, such as Border Collies.
If you can’t play with your dogs because you have a lot of work to do, or for whatever reason, you can get some interactive dog toys.
These toys will keep your dog occupied and help with boredom.
4. It Is Too Hot
We all know how hot weather can leave us lethargic and with a lack of interest in anything, wishing we could sleep the whole day until the cooler weather comes.
Well, this is the same for dogs.
Dogs feel a lack of energy when it is too hot. So, a dog does the thing its body is telling him to do – sleep more than usual.
When it comes to hot weather, you have to take care of your dog and protect him from heatstroke and sunburn. Make sure the dog always has fresh water available. Also, don’t take your dog out during the day.
Choose mornings and evenings for the walks.
5. Changes In Life
If you change the schedule you have planned for your dog, he needs some time to get used to it. This adjustment period can present itself as more sleeping time for your dog.
He needs more energy because the new schedule leaves him more tired. Of course, this is temporary until your dog gets used to the new schedule.
If you add a new dog to your household, the same thing can happen. A younger dog or a more energetic dog can tire your old dog or less-active dog out and leave him sleeping more than usual.
Also, if you suddenly start leaving your dog alone at home for a longer period of time, dogs can adapt to this new situation by sleeping more.
These are all normal changes, and you shouldn’t look too much into them. But, always look out for some universal signs that tell us there is something wrong with our furry friends; for example, not eating, not drinking water, not wanting to play, etc.
6. Nutrition
A dog needs high-quality dog food, whether it is kibble or canned, and they all need to have the same ingredients: a high percentage of proteins, and a low percentage of carbohydrates. Dog food also needs to have an appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals.
If you want to enrich your dog’s diet with more vitamins and fiber, you can add some veggies or fruits to your dog’s meals.
For example, Brussels sprouts, bananas, cucumbers, cranberries, etc.
If you think your dog lacks good nutrition, talk to your veterinarian. They can tell you what kind of diet is a good one for your dog.
7. Medical Issues
And, unfortunately, the reason why your dog sleeps so much could be some medical issue your dog has. There can be a number of medical issues that could alter the sleeping schedule and sleeping time of your dog.
Some health conditions that usually have a higher impact on your dog’s sleeping are:
- Kidney failure
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Urinary infection
Even joint pain or hip dysplasia can lead to your dog not wanting to get up. They will sleep more often to avoid movement that causes painful sensations.
When Is The Time To Act?
A dog sleeping a bit more than usual is not a problem. Most reasons why your dog sleeps so much are not serious, and don’t require special actions.
However, some reasons need our attention, and we need to take our dog to the vet. Those reasons are medical issues and symptoms that come with them:
- Lethargy
- Not eating
- Not drinking water
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
If you notice any of these symptoms, it doesn’t matter if you have a puppy, adult, or senior dog – take him to the vet.
These are signs that your dog has some (more serious) medical issue that needs attention. Even though it doesn’t have to be anything life-threatening, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to our dogs.
The Conclusion
As you can see, there are many reasons why dogs sleep so much. These were the 7 most common reasons why a dog becomes a sleepyhead.
To sum it up… it is completely normal for your dog to sleep around 15 hours a day, having multiple naps. All dogs have their sleeping schedules, and if you have more than one dog, you will notice that they have their own nap times during the day.
They don’t have to sleep at the same time. It all depends on the dog’s traits, health, age, and activity levels.
As long as you can see that your dog doesn’t show signs of serious health issues, and your dog acts normally when he’s awake – everything is alright.
Enjoy your nap times with your doggie, or enjoy watching your dog take a nap – they are too cute when they sleep, especially when they are just small pups.