Even the most energetic dogs love to take plenty of naps throughout the day. But how much relaxing is too much, and when should you worry?
Here's how much dogs should sleep a day, factors that affect their sleeping habits and when you should consult a vet.
Why Does My Dog Sleep So Much?
"Dogs should sleep anywhere from 10 to 14 hours during the day on average," says Dr. Amy Stone, DVM and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine.
It's normal to feel like your dog is sleeping a lot. Adult humans usually get 7 to 9 hours of sleep, and we do it all at night. Dogs also sleep mostly at night, but they're more prone to catching a quick nap or two during the day.
"Dogs listen to their bodies more than humans do," Stone says. "When the signals to the brain tell them to sleep, they do." That leads to more daytime naps when we humans are up and about.
Why Do Some Dogs Sleep More Than Others?
Most dogs sleep between 10 and 14 hours a day. Sometimes dogs sleep more or less than that, depending on these factors:
- Age. Puppies and senior dogs sleep longer—up to 18 or 20 hours per day, according to Dr. Stone.
- Breed. Conventional wisdom says larger dog breeds tend to sleep longer than others. However, the science on dog breeds and sleep duration is still inconclusive.
- Environment. Dogs sleep better in low-light areas with comfortable temperatures and without too much noise.
- Illness. Some sicknesses can cause dogs to sleep more or less, depending on the condition.
- Weight. Overweight dogs may be more lethargic and sleep more than their healthy-weight peers.
Sometimes your dog's sleep habits are completely up to chance—it's just who they are. So your dog sleeping more or less than others isn't necessarily cause for concern.
