Because dogs dont get as much REM sleep they fall asleep easily and wake up alert they need more sleep. Some breeds such as schnauzers small terriers and poodles are at increased risk for diabetes as are obese dogs.
There are many infectious diseases that can cause your dog to sleep so much or act lethargic.
Why does my dog sleeps too much. When your puppy sleeps too much it could be an indicator that he is over exhausted not feeling well or he is underfed. Make sure that you have established a regular sleeping routine for him. Puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep daily and if your puppy sleeps more than 20 hours that is an unusual sign.
Depending on the breed and size of your puppy they may sleep for up to 18 hours a day. It may seem excessive but their rapid growth requires a lot of rest. Puppies are very curious and active when they are awake so sleep also allows their minds to rest.
An adult dog does not need quite as much rest as a growing puppy. An increase in sleep can be a sign that your dog is dealing with a chronic low-grade pain as can be seen with arthritis. Dog owners will often miss out on the fact that their dog is in pain because they arent displaying visible or audible symptoms like crying or limping.
Some breeds such as schnauzers small terriers and poodles are at increased risk for diabetes as are obese dogs. There are many infectious diseases that can cause your dog to sleep so much or act lethargic. These diseases include rabies distemper parvovirus Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease.
Dogs on the other hand require much more sleep to stay healthy. Typically on average dogs sleep 12 to 14 hours per 24 hour day. A little over half of their time is spent dozing.
Also puppies and older dogs tend to sleep more up to 18 to 20 hours a day. The amount of time a dog sleeps will vary by breed and by individual dog. A change in an older dogs sleeping patterns could be a sign of canine cognitive dysfunction CCD which causes behavior changes similar to.
A dog which sleeps a lot and doesnt play as much as they did before may be depressed due to boredom isolation loneliness lack of attention or sudden changes in routine. If we have adopted an adult dog and see they sleep a lot it is possible they have suffered mistreatment in the past. One form of mistreatment is removing them too early from their mother when a puppy.
There may be genetic. So how many hours of sleep your dog needs is determined by how active they are. But its important to note that low-productive dogs still need to be kept mentally stimulated.
Too much sleep can result in doggie sleep disorders a very serious problem despite how cute it sounds. Here the infographic breaks it down a bit more. A dog thats lethargic due to illness is different from one that just enjoys sleeping.
If your dog simply sleeps a lot that is not necessarily abnormal says Liff. Though if your dog starts to sleep more than normal that can be a cause for concern Another cause for concern is if your pet is unable to get comfortable. This could indicate possible orthopedic issues or respiratory distress.
The National Sleep Foundation says and most experts agree that dogs will generally sleep about 50 percent of the day rest about 30 percent of the. Some of the big ones in older dogs are hypothyroidism an underactive thyroid heart disease and arthritis. If you notice that your dog is sleeping more than normal keep a sleep log and make an appointment with your vet.
There are three major things to consider when youre wondering why your dog sleeps so much. Some dogs just need more sleep like older dogs and puppies. Big dogs tend to sleep more.
Dogs only spend 10 of sleep in REM compared to 25 for a human. Dogs need more hours to get the same quality of sleep. So whats the deal with my dog and sleep.
Can dogs sleep too much. For instance you may find your senior dog has begun sleeping in closets. Being reluctant to curl up to fall asleep or sleeping while sitting up or standing.
Dogs may adopt these sleeping positions. Because dogs dont get as much REM sleep they fall asleep easily and wake up alert they need more sleep. But not all dogs need as much sleep.
Age breed health and personality all play a part in how much your dog sleeps. For example research shows that narcoleptic dogs spend about 40 less time in REM cycles than healthy dogs. The most common posture that dogs use to sleep is lying on their sides with their legs extended says Dr.
This means that a dog is relaxed and comfortable and shows a level of trust with his surroundings. Coren explains that a dog will often start to dose in lion pose and then slump onto his side once he falls into a deeper sleep. Why Does My Dog Sleep So Much.
As a puppys body is developing it will start to sleep more than usual. Puppies sleep because it is crucial for their growth and development. But when is too much sleeping not normal.
We have some tips on understanding the stages of a growing puppys sleep pattern and how to make sure your puppy is getting enough rest.