- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Dog sleeping positions run the gamut from cozy to goofy—but each posture, no matter how silly, serves a purpose for your pup. Whether your dog is preserving warmth or projecting security, their sleeping pose can tell you a lot about their comfort and needs.
Dr. Stacy Kolb, ER vet at Thrive partner South Carolina Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Care, explains how our dogs’ sleeping poses can help us make educated guesses about:
- whether a dog is feeling hot or cold
- if they’re experiencing achy joints or arthritis
- how secure they feel in their environment
In this article, we’ll review different dog sleeping positions, what they can mean about your dog’s comfort, and how to interpret shifts in sleeping poses over time.
Dog Sleeping Positions Chart
What a dog’s sleeping position means is dependent on the context, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But in general, you can make some guesses about how comfortable your dog is in their environment and how warm or cold they are at the moment.
| Position | Comfort Level | Dog’s Temperature |
| Side | High | Warm |
| Curled Up | Medium | Cool |
| Lion’s Pose | Low | Neutral |
| Sploot | High | Hot |
| Belly Up | High | Warm |
| Raised Head | Medium | Neutral |
| Burrowed | Medium | Cold |
Side Sleeping
Sabine demonstrates a youthful side sleeper pose. Image courtesy of Katie Nowak
When a dog sleeps on their side, they typically have part of their belly exposed, head on the ground, and their legs straight out. You might find your in this position on a bed or on the floor, maybe with their head propped on a bolster.
Comfort level: high. Dogs who sleep like this are probably very comfortable in their surroundings. Exposing their bellies means that they aren’t positioned to immediately jump up or defend their space.
Temperature: warm. One reason a dog might sleep this way is to cool down. Because a dog’s belly has a lighter layer of fur, it doesn’t retain warmth very well—so exposing it helps a dog release heat. If you find your dog on sleeping on their side on a wood or tile floor, you can bet they’re trying to cool off.
New position? Check for soreness. Dr. Kolb explains that in some cases, a change your dog’s go-to sleeping position can mean they are experiencing some soreness or trying to better control their temperature. If your dog isn’t typically a side sleeper, one reason for the shift might be some aches and pains, either in their joints or from tired muscles. Or it could be that your dog is just plain pooped and they fell asleep as soon as they hit the floor.
Curled Up, “Donut,” or “Cinnamon Roll”
Ruby relaxes in donut form. Image courtesy of Katie Nowak
When dogs sleep curled up, they curve their bodies and tuck their nose into their tail. Dogs can adopt donut position anywhere, but you’re especially likely to find them bolstered against furniture, cushions, or dog beds.
Comfort level: medium. For some dogs, curled-up is the coziest sleeping position because it allows them to fit into their favorite sleeping space with bolsters on all sides. Other dogs adopt this sleeping position when they’re a little nervous or unsure, since donut pose protects the belly.
Temperature: chilly. Dogs who sleep curled up may be running cool. Covering up the parts of their body that lose warmth the fastest (like their bellies) can be one strategy to preserve heat.
New position? Check temperature and stress. If your dog doesn’t usually sleep like a cinnamon roll, consider whether they might be feeling cooler than usual. Have the seasons changed? Did they just get a new haircut? Are they wet from being outdoors? In some cases, a new environment could promote this more protective posture, or potentially an event that makes them nervous, like a thunderstorm.
Lion’s Pose
Julia Suhareva via iStock
The lion’s pose is a position where your dog is resting on their belly, with their head resting on their paws or the floor and hind legs tucked underneath or out to the side (think Sphinx, or a sleeping lion). Dogs might rest in this position for short periods of time.
Comfort level: low. This position usually means that your dog is not in a deep sleep. They may choose to sleep this way because they want to be able to get up quickly if needed. Sometimes they might sleep this way because they are less sure of their surroundings: a new place, new people in the house, lots of commotion. It could also be because they don’t need a deep sleep—just a little rest.
Temperature: neutral. Lion’s pose is neither warm nor cold—so your pup is probably just right.
New position? Check for busy environment. If your dog doesn’t usually sleep this way, they might be a little bit more excited or alert than usual. If they’re anticipating a walk, if they’re in a new place, or if there’s just a lot of commotion in the area that they want to keep track of, they might adopt this half-resting-half-attention posture.
Sploot or “Superman”
iStock/Photography by Adri
Dogs in the classic sploot pose have their belly to the floor, their hind legs stretched out straight behind them, and their front legs stretched straight forward. Their head is usually splayed right between the front legs.
Comfort: high. While the sploot or superman pose may look incredibly uncomfortable for human joints, chances are your dog is quite comfy in this sleeping position. It’s a particular favorite of puppies and dogs who have short legs—and a great way to do a relaxing full-body stretch. Dogs can doze in this position, but they can also experience deep sleep while splooting.
Temperature: hot. Dogs in this pose might be trying to cool down a little, using the cooler temperature of the floor to help them.
New position? Check temperature and joints. If this isn’t a regular napping position for your dog, consider whether they might be running warm—whether that’s thanks to the weather, an overdue haircut, or a long bout of exercise. Sometimes, dogs who have recently been injured will adopt the sploot pose to find some relief. If your older dog is starting to sleep this way, talk to your vet about whether or not they might be experiencing sore joints.
Belly Up
Sabine exhibits her interpretation of belly-up sleeping with stylistic flair. Image courtesy of Katie Nowak
A dog who sleeps belly up naps with their back down and their belly and all four paws up. The finer points can vary—every dog brings their own particular style to this iconic nap position.
Comfort level: high. When your dog is belly up, it often means they’re very comfortable, secure, and trusting in their space. A dog in this position can’t react quickly to a threat. Many belly-up nappers sleep very soundly.
Temperature: warm. Dogs are less likely to sleep this way if they are cool, as this position releases body heat.
New position? A little toasty. If your dog doesn’t usually sleep this way but you happen upon them belly up, it might mean they’re growing more accustomed to their environment, or that they’re a little bit warmer than usual. Dogs sleep for many hours a day, so it’s not unusual for them to adopt lots of different positions as they take their many naps.
Raised Head
kanariie via iStock
Dogs sleeping with a raised head usually are napping on their belly or side and have their head propped up on a pillow, the edge of a dog bed, or even furniture. They might be half asleep or in deep sleep in this position.
Comfort level: medium. Dogs who sleep in this position can be expressing either comfort with their surroundings or a lower level of alertness. You’ll know which one by your dog’s other body language—like fully closed eyes or ears that perk up with sounds. For many dogs, this is a natural go-to sleeping posture, even if it doesn’t always look that comfy to us when the pillow is a coffee table.
Temperature: neutral. Side- or belly-sleeping with a raised head is a relatively neutral pose, so your pup probably doesn’t have any complaints about the thermostat.
New position? Consider a health check. There are lots of reasons a dog might start sleeping with their head on a bolster—especially if that bolster is new, as with a new dog bed or couch. Less often, it can be a sign of a health condition, such as difficulty breathing, a heart condition, or gastrointestinal discomfort. If your dog looks uncomfortable, consider what other symptoms you’ve seen and whether a call to the vet might be in order.
Burrowed
Ruby, demonstrating a dainty burrow. Image courtesy of Katie Nowak
Some dogs are expert burrowers, snuggling their heads and body under bedding, a blanket, a pillow, or anything that feels soft and comfy. You’ll know that your dog is burrowing because it usually takes some effort, including circling, pawing, and digging.
Comfort level: medium. Dogs burrow for a lot of reasons, but generally it’s because they have a strong instinct to do so. This action mimics the security of nesting. Puppies will often burrow and snuggle amid their littermates to find a sense of safety, to develop community with the “pack,” to lessen anxiety, and to help control their body temperatures. Some dogs will continue to do this throughout their lives. If you have a burrower or an anxious dog, consider cave beds and bedding that help to promote burrowing.
Temperature: cool. Your dog might be burrowing to fight the cold—but if you have a classic burrower on your hands, like a Dachshund, the impulse to dig could well be unrelated to anything going on with the weather.
New position? Increase security and temperature. Has your dog has just recently taken to burrowing? Consider whether or not a new bed or bedding has inspired this behavior, or if they may be feeling more anxious than usual. Sometimes, if something has changed about their environment, they may seek security through their instinctual desire to burrow for safety, comfort, or community.
Sleeping with Other People and Pets
According to Dr. Kolb, some dogs are more sociable, while others tend to be loners. Your dog’s preference for sleeping with their humans or with other pets is part of their personality.
Sleeping back to back
When dogs sleep back-to-back, it can signal that they have deep trust in their other “pack” members. From a dog’s perspective, this means that they are trusting the other (dog or person) to help protect them.
Sleeping in a pile (or on top of you)
Similar to burrowing, when dogs sleep in a pile they are generally quite comfortable with their sleeping buddies and are seeking the collective warmth and comfort of the group. This sleeping preference can strengthen the bond among the members of the doggy pile and shows that the dog feels safe and secure.
With a head resting on you
When a dog sleeps with their head on you, it shows that they trust you and have a desire to be close to you. It could also be their subtle attempt to get your attention.
Between your legs
When a dog chooses to sleep between your legs, it’s another way they can show that they trust you and feel secure with you. In this position, they are trusting you to keep watch while they let down their guard. It also helps them to maintain their body temperature and keep close tabs on what you are up to, as they will sense any movement that you make.
