You may find your pooch sleeping in unexpected places and at odd times. That’s not because your furry kid is a couch potato (though he could be), it’s completely natural for dogs to sleep for a longer period. Your adorable furry pal would rather just lay around than indulge in activities; unless you’re taking him for a walk. Moreover, this is not just applicable to house-trained dogs, it’s a part of the lifestyle of canines to sleep for most of the day.
Many pet parents don’t know about the normal sleeping hours of dogs and get concerned when they see their doggie sleeping all the time. Therefore, below are the answers to most common queries pet parents have about the sleeping patterns of their dogs.
How Many Hours Do Dogs Sleep On Average?
Although the dog’s sleeping schedule depends on the size and breed, on an average, a dog spends approximately 12-14 hours sleeping in a day. Though most of the time dog’s are just snoozing; they are not heavy sleepers, thus they always stay alert for intruders or any suspicious activities.
Does Age Have Anything To Do With the Dog’s Sleeping Schedule?
Yes, age is the main factor when we’re discussing the sleeping time of dogs. The older the dog gets, the more time he’ll spend sleeping. Puppies are overactive and enthusiastic, so they sleep less and spend most of their time exploring things and getting into trouble, just like babies! On the contrary, older dogs tend to sleep more as they get easily exhausted.
Is It Okay If The Dog Twitches While Sleeping?
You must have noticed some movements in your dog’s body while he’s sleeping – a sudden twitch in the legs, shivering a little, slightly wagging the tail. There’s nothing concerning about this behavior, your furry kid is just having interesting dreams. When he’s twitching is legs, you can assume he’s dreaming of running around the garden, chasing butterflies. Thus, rest assured about your dog’s twitch as it’s not going to harm him. In fact, it’s a sign that your pooch is content and is sleeping peacefully.
Does Sleeping Habits Differ From Breed To Breed?
Some dog breeds are likely to sleep for more hours than others. Dogs such as working dogs require comparatively less sleep as they’re trained to stay alert. Due to exhausting tasks, working dogs sleep only when they need to restore their energy. On the other hand, dogs who are house trained would prefer lazing around and snoozing whenever they can.
Can Exercise Help The Dog To Sleep Better?
Your pooch will sleep better on days you take him for a walk or play activities compared to when he stays at home. All the jumping and running around the park will wear him out and easily put him to sleep. Therefore, if your buddy isn’t sleeping well, you can go on a stroll with him just before sleeping time.
Please note, whenever you bring your dog to the park, you administer flea and tick preventives to protect him from deadly parasites. Frontline Plus is one of the best flea and tick preventatives that provide complete parasitic protection for an entire month.
My Dog Is Sleeping Too Much, Should I Be Concerned?
Unless you observe aggressive movements in your dog, there’s nothing to be concerned about. Though, if your dog is acting differently in his sleep, like a stiff body, trembling or heavy breathing, there might be an underlying cause which you need to run through the vet.
Every dog has a special place in their human’s heart and no pet parent want to see their precious furry kids in misery. Thus, know your dog’s sleeping patterns so whenever you detect anything unusual, you can immediately act on it.