- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
As a general rule, adults dogs will need an average of 11-12 hours of sleep throughout the day, says to Chyrle Bonk, DVM, veterinarian at Senior Tail Waggers. This includes naps and their bedtime, which can be surprising given that you think your dog sleeps all the time anyway.
However, dogs are polyphasic sleepers, meaning they don’t get all their sleep in one session. Instead, they doze off and on throughout the day. Every dog is different though, with age as the biggest deciding factor in how much sleep they need. Puppies, for example, may sleep up to 16-20 hours a day.
Your dog’s sleep patterns may take some getting used to, but understanding how dogs sleep can help recognize the early signs of health concerns, like narcolepsy. Below, Dr. Bonk shares insight into dog sleep patterns, along with some irregularities you may want to discuss with your vet.
Dog & Puppy Sleep Requirements By Day and Night
Research in the affect of sleep on dog behavior and health is limited, but there is some evidence to suggest an ongoing lack of sleep may affect your dog’s mood, energy, appetite, and overall well-being. These sleep guidelines are a good indicator for monitoring your dog’s overall sleep hygiene:
Dog Age | Total Amount Of Sleep | Percent of night spent sleeping | Percent of day spent sleeping |
Puppy | 18-20 hours | 40% | 60% |
Adult | 11-12 hours | 70%-75% | 25%-30% |
Senior | 20+ hours | 60% | 40% |
Experts know less about sleeping differences between dog breeds, but Dr. Bonk outlines the following general timelines for teacup, small, medium and large dogs:
Breed Size | Total Amount Of Sleep | Percent of night spent sleeping | Percent of day spent sleeping |
Teacup | 14-16 hours | 70%-75% | 25%-30% |
Small | 14-16 hours | 70%-75% | 25%-30% |
Medium | 10-14 hours | 70%-75% | 25%-30% |
Large | 18 hours | 65%-70% | 30%-35% |
Should you wake a sleeping dog?
“Let sleeping dogs lie” may be good advice: Dr. Bonk recommends not waking your sleeping dog, if you can help it.
Dogs and people go through similar sleep cycles, and dogs dream, like you do. If they happen to be dreaming when you wake them up, they may become disoriented, and they may lash out in confusion.
If you do need to wake your dog for some reason, it’s best to softly call their name to avoid startling them. You could also waft a tasty treat under their nose to make waking up a more positive experience!
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Sleeping Patterns in Dogs
Like humans, dogs are more active during the day and sleep more at night. Dogs also experience rapid eye movement (REM) and slow wave sleep (SWS) cycles, which is the stage in which dogs dream. Dogs, however, go through these cycles much more quickly, and they may go through 20 sleep cycles a night, compared to the 3 or 4 people may go through.
According to research involving shelter dogs, dogs who sleep more during the day seemed more relaxed to shelter staff members. So, if your dog doesn’t sleep much during the day, and they also seem agitated, unhappy, or resistant to training, it may be worth exploring ways to help them nap. Regular naps can also be a sign that your dog is happy, enriched, and has their needs fulfilled.
Other ways to know if your dog isn’t sleep well or has sleep issues include:
- Increased twitching in sleep: Dogs naturally twitch in their sleep while dreaming, but long-lasting or generalized twitching may point to a health concern.
- Suddenly falling asleep: Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that mainly affects younger dogs. If your dog is active one minute, abruptly falls asleep the next, and then wakes up again as if nothing’s happened, they may have narcolepsy. Certain breeds are more likely to develop narcolepsy than others, including Labrador Retrievers, Dachshunds, and Doberman Pinschers.
- Breathing issues: This condition is more common in brachycephalic dogs, who have shortened snouts. It’s possible for dogs to develop brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, which experts have linked to sleep apnea.
- Jerking or frequent sudden movements: If your dog barks, howls, chews, or violently jerks their limbs in their sleep, they might have rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder. If your vet diagnoses this condition, they may prescribe medication to reduce movement during sleep and improve your dog’s sleep quality.
- Trouble sleeping during new routines: Your dog may also have trouble sleeping if they’re feeling nervous about a change in their schedule or living situation, or if they have separation anxiety when one or more of their parents is away. Teaching your dog the “settle” cue in different rooms can help with this but more serious cases may require medication like trazodone.
Sometimes your dog may start sleeping more or less due to natural changes in their habits as they age. But if your dog seems lethargic, unhappy, or agitated, or you notice other concerning signs along with changes in their sleep, it may be worth reaching out to your vet for more guidance. Poor sleep can easily become a cycle, since sleep loss can add to your dog’s stress and make it even harder for them to get the rest they need. That’s what makes it so important to talk to your vet as soon as you notice your dog has trouble sleeping.
Improving Sleep in Your Dog
1. Rule out any medical conditions with your vet
If you are worried about your dog’s sleep hygiene, contact your vet and let them know what symptoms you are seeing. From there a vet will let you know if you need to make an appointment or if there are tips you can practice first. For example, your vet may help you discover that your older dog has developed arthritis, and may recommend a different style of bed.An orthopedic dog bed may go a long way toward helping improve their rest.
Frequent shifting behavior during sleep can also be an indicator of pain. A vet can determine if your dog needs pain medications for relief or surgery for an injury.
2. Make a schedule of your dog’s needs and meet them during the day
If your dog doesn’t get enough exercise during the day, they might not feel very tired at night. They might even have a case of the nighttime zoomies! To help them get ready for bedtime, you can try taking them out for an evening walk to tire them out.
Certain breeds, like working dogs, may also need more intense mental stimulation and training in order to ward off boredom. Puzzle toys and regular training sessions can help enrich your dog’s life and keep them entertained. Just take care not to pack your dog’s day with activities! Too much stimulation could leave them overtired, which can cause unwanted behaviors to arise.
3. Create a calming sleep environment throughout your house
The main reasons a dog will develop unhealthy sleeping patterns include stress and a bad sleep environment, explains Dr. Bonk. For instance, their sleeping space may be noisy or bright, or people and other animals may wake them up. Keeping them away from potential disruptions could make all the difference. A white noise machine and crate covers may be all you need. Dogs also like to change their sleeping positions throughout the day, so having more than one dog bed on hand can be handy for comfort.
Puppies who feel anxious when they have to spend time away from you could be soothed with a piece of your clothing or a heartbeat toy.
4. Create a sleep routine with your dog
Dogs love routine. You may even notice that a dog bonds most with the person who is consistent with them in terms of training, affection, and schedule. Having a night time treat routine can get your dog excited for bed, especially if it is the same and only treat they get before bed. Another tip we love? Allowing your dog to sleep in your bed with you—provided they don’t ruin your sleep hygiene! This special experience could teach your dog to sleep at the same time as you. If you’re worried about them needing to shift and move throughout the night, be sure have an extra dog bed for them to move to.