Sleep Patterns Of Healthy Adult Dogs, According To Science

Sleep Patterns Of Healthy Adult Dogs, According To Science

For those who are interested in the sleeping patterns of dogs are not alone. The assistant professor of behavioral medicine at NC state has studied dogs for countless years and has been able to find different sleep patterns.

She speaks about the age-related gaps between our dogs’ sleep cycles and dedicates her time to learn more. In a recent study she conducted, there was much to be revealed. This study monitored 42 healthy adult dogs, 21 male, and 21 female, who ranged from 2 years old to 8 years old.

In a 2 week period, these dogs wore activity monitors, along with a nightly sleep questionnaire that their parents were required to fill out. Almost all the data showed that dogs have two peak times of activity, one from 8 am to 10 am and again from 5 pm to 11 pm. Additionally, dogs were more active on the weekends, instead of the weekdays.

The work time of humans played a large role in their dog’s activity, and studies linked human interaction to the activity of their dogs. When humans were back from their jobs, the dogs’ activity levels would also rise, and studies also linked gender to this as well. Female dogs were shown to be more active than male dogs during the day, and healthy male dogs were less active during the average activity times.

In the future, scientists are hoping to distinguish more advanced activity traits in our dogs, and form different baselines for their sleep patterns.

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