My Dog Sleeps All Day: Is That Normal?

When it comes to sleeping, there are some general guidelines that can help you determine whether your dog is normal or not.

How Much Sleep Do Dogs Need?

If you’re a first-time dog parent, you might be surprised by just how much sleep your dog needs. The average dog will sleep between 12-14 hours a day. This is generally made up of day-time naps and overnight sleep.

Puppies need even longer, typically sleeping 18-20 hours a day until around 12 weeks of age. As dogs start to reach their mature years, they will sleep more as their bodies and minds tire quicker. Size, activity, age, and health are all factors in how much sleep a dog needs but most owners should expect their adult dog to sleep at least half of the day.

Why Does My Dog Sleep So Much?

Much like us, dogs need sleep to remain healthy. The human sleep cycle in a 24-hour period is fairly simple. We are awake during the daytime and have one long sleep at night. While we sleep, we enter restorative phases called deep sleep and REM. It is during this time that the body works to restore tissue and strengthen our immune system.

During REM, brain activity increases and this is good for learning and development and retaining information and memories. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that during REM, the brain exercises important neural connections, which are key to mental and overall well-being.

Dogs have a more scattered sleep pattern within a 24-hour period, consisting of short naps throughout the day and a long sleep during the night. These periods of sleep are punctuated with waking up to check their environment and scan for changes/dangers. Dogs enter into REM quicker than humans (which is why you often see them acting out dreams). However, one theory suggests that this constant state of readiness leads to less REM sleep, causing dogs to need to sleep more in order to feel restored.

When dogs don’t get enough sleep, they can become sleep deprived; common symptoms from lack of sleep may start to appear, though they’re not as easy to notice as they are in people.

Signs Your Dog Isn’t Getting Enough Sleep

If your dog isn’t napping during the day and is consistently restless at night, that’s not normal. This lack of sleep may cause them to be needy, whiney, restless, sluggish, or even disinterested in life. Displaying these symptoms on occasion is okay, and you can allow for a cranky day once in a while. The best remedy is to tire them out with a long walk or game of fetch to bring about sleep and get them back into their standard sleep cycle.

Dogs who have severe sleep disorders will exhibit more concerning behaviors such as excessive whining or crying, becoming disoriented when performing basic tasks, or becoming aggressive because they are increasingly on edge from the lack of rest. You may notice your dog becoming more irritable and agitated. On the flip-side, they could begin to withdraw socially and stop engaging as they previously would have.

Signs that your dog isn’t getting enough sleep can come on suddenly or gradually. Any symptoms that are concerning should be discussed with your veterinarian to rule out the possibility of medical-related issues.

Reasons Your Dog Can’t Sleep

Your dog may be suffering from insomnia for a number of reasons:

Pain, Illness Or Injury

Painful arthritis could be causing insomnia as your dog cannot be still and feel comfortable. Prescribed pain relief or special massage treatments could help.

Sleep apnea which is commonly seen in flat-faced dogs and obese dogs will cause a dog to jolt awake when their airways block. Multiple sleep interruptions can be frustrating and leave a dog feeling constantly tired.

After a vet has ruled out any medical issues, the next step is to look at what else could be the cause of your dog’s restlessness.

Lack Of Exercise

A lack of exercise is the root cause of many behavioral issues. Your dog needs an outlet to expend energy. Depending on your dog’s age and energy level, the amount of exercise they need can vary, but it is key to understand the type of dog you have and meet that required amount of exercise.

A lack of exercise and enrichment can lead to a build-up of energy and frustration. As well as being destructive or demotivated, dogs can also become agitated and anxious, creating sleep problems. When you add insufficient sleep to those feelings, things can escalate quickly. A tired dog equals a sleeping dog.

Anxiety

Anxiety is another leading cause of sleeping problems. Dogs can feel anxious for all sorts of reasons. Getting to the bottom of the anxiety is the healthiest way to get your dog’s sleep into a regular pattern. Here are some common causes of anxiety in dogs:

• New surroundings

• Separation from companion(s)

• Changes to the family — new additions or people/animals leaving

• Neglect

• Fear

• Lack of exercise

• Scary sounds, such as fireworks, thunderstorms, or construction

• Forced socialization

• Past trauma

All dogs are individuals, and the cause of their anxiety could be something as seemingly innocuous as the sound of the vacuum cleaner.

Many dogs feel anxious when left alone or separated from their humans. When left alone, which is typically when dogs nap during the day, these dogs are pacing, whining, or watching out the window. Their cortisol levels are gradually rising and their anxiety is growing. They are never fully relaxed.

If your dog is suffering from anxiety, speak to a qualified behaviorist or trainer on how best to make your dog feel more comfortable on their own.

The bottom line: If your dog sleeps intermittently during the day and throughout the night, that’s a good sign. It means they are getting plenty of exercise, they have a well-balanced and healthy diet, and they are extremely content and feel safe in their surroundings.