How Much Sleep Does My Dog Need?

While you look at your adorable pooch napping, have you ever thought about how much sleep he/she actually needs? It might even seem like your pup sleeps more than you do. Is that the case anyway?

Here are the answers to your questions:

Dogs fall asleep fast

By now you must have noticed that dogs fall asleep rather quickly. One minute they are playing, the next they are on their bellies dozing off into dreamland.

This is an evolutionary wonder for dogs. It was their ancestors’ way of conserving energy for hunting. When they are bored or having nothing to do at the moment, they tend to nap so that they are ready for whatever. Cool, right?

Do they need eight hours too?

Yes, but dogs need more than that. Most adult dogs require 12 to 14 hours of sleep to function optimally. Of course, other factors might even lengthen that time such as warm weather, increase exercise, or even boredom. Puppies on the other hand sleep up to 20 hours a day. Usually, these naps are spread into multiple naps. As they approach seniority, dogs tend to sleep more than adult dogs unless they are disturbed by some sort of illness or pain.

Is my dog sleeping too much?

It’s not easy to tell if your dog is sleeping too much as it will differ based on factors such as age and breed. In most cases, however, the answer is no unless it is combined with other abnormal behavior such as reclusiveness, loss of appetite or not playing as much. If you are concerned, be sure to consult your vet.