Dogs spend a good portion of their day sleeping. On average, most dogs sleep 12-14 hours per 24-hour period. However, this number can vary quite a bit based on the dog’s age, breed, activity level, and health.
How much sleep do puppies need?
Puppies require a lot more sleep than adult dogs. Newborn puppies can sleep up to 20 hours per day! This helps them conserve energy and grow properly. As puppies get older, they require less sleep:
- Newborn puppies: up to 20 hours
- Puppies at 3 months old: 14-18 hours
- Puppies at 6 months old: 12-14 hours
Puppies should be allowed to sleep as much as they need to. Making sure puppies get adequate rest will help them develop physically and mentally.
How much sleep do adult dogs need?
Most adult dogs sleep 12-14 hours per 24-hour cycle. However, some individual dogs may require a little bit more or less sleep. Here are some factors that influence how much an adult dog sleeps:
- Breed size: Larger breeds tend to sleep more than smaller breeds. Great Danes often sleep up to 18 hours per day, while toy breeds like Chihuahuas sleep closer to 14 hours.
- Age: Senior dogs tend to need more rest. A 12-year old dog might sleep up to 16 hours per day.
- Activity level: Dogs with higher activity levels need more sleep to recover. Hunting dogs, herding dogs, and other working breeds sleep more than companion breeds.
- Health: Dogs dealing with illness or injury require more sleep as part of the healing process.
In general, most adult dogs sleep an average of 12-14 hours per day. However, each individual dog may have different sleep requirements depending on breed, age, activity, and health status.
How is a dog’s sleep cycle different from humans?
Dogs have a different sleep architecture than humans. Dogs cycle between REM and non-REM sleep throughout the day, whereas humans consolidate these sleep stages at night.
Here are some key differences between human and dog sleep cycles:
- Dogs sleep more during the daytime hours, while humans are on a nocturnal schedule.
- Dogs experience short bouts of REM sleep lasting about 10 minutes several times per day. Humans have longer, consolidated REM cycles at night.
- Dogs spend about 10% of sleep time in REM. Humans spend 20-25% of nighttime sleep in REM.
- Dogs can easily fall in and out of REM sleep during daytime napping. Humans rarely experience REM sleep until 90 minutes after falling asleep at night.
Understanding that dogs naturally sleep more during daylight and experience shorter REM cycles can help owners be patient with their dogs’ sleeping schedule. Allowing dogs to sleep when needed results in a well-rested pet.
How much deep sleep does a dog need?
Deep sleep is important for dogs’ mental and physical restoration. During deep sleep, breathing slows, muscles relax, and cell repair occurs.
On average, dogs spend about 10-30% of their sleep time in deep sleep. Puppies and younger dogs tend to have more deep sleep, while older dogs get less restorative deep sleep. Here are some guidelines for deep sleep needs by age:
| Dog’s Age | Deep Sleep Needs Per Day |
|---|---|
| Newborn puppies | 50% of sleep time |
| 3 months old | 30% of sleep time |
| 1 year old | 20% of sleep time |
| 5 years old | 15% of sleep time |
| 10 years old | 10% of sleep time |
Make sure your dog gets enough deep sleep each day to restore their body and mind. If your dog seems overtired or stressed, increase rest opportunities to ensure adequate deep sleep.
How Much Do Dogs Sleep During the Day vs at Night?
Dogs tend to follow a polyphasic sleep pattern where they alternate between short periods of sleep and wakefulness throughout the 24-hour cycle. They do not consolidate their sleep into a long nocturnal period like humans do.
Here is how dogs’ sleep is typically broken up between nighttime and daylight hours:
- Daytime sleep: 6-10 hours
- Nighttime sleep: 4-8 hours
However, each dog may have a unique circadian rhythm. Some dogs are more active and alert at night, while others sleep more during daylight. Pay attention to your own dog’s preferences.
Puppies need more total sleep and take more frequent naps during both the day and night. Adult dogs spend a larger portion of nighttime hours sleeping.Senior dogs tend to sleep more during the day as nighttime rest is disrupted.
Tips for Supporting Your Dog’s Natural Sleep Cycle
Here are some tips to help support your dog’s natural sleep needs:
- Provide a comfortable, quiet area for daytime napping and nighttime sleep.
- Stick to a consistent daily routine with regular feeding times, walks, training, and playtime.
- Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation during waking hours.
- Limit daytime naps to 1-2 hours to prevent overly long sleep periods.
- Consider using calming aids like pheromone sprays or CBD oils to ease anxiety and improve sleep quality.
- See your veterinarian if you notice sudden changes in sleep patterns which could indicate a health issue.
What are signs that a dog is not getting enough sleep?
Lack of sleep can quickly take a toll on a dog’s health and behavior. Here are some signs that a dog may not be getting adequate rest:
- Excessive pacing, restlessness, or trouble settling down
- Hyperactive behavior and lack of focus
- Increase in anxiety, irritability, or aggression
- Changes in appetite or loss of interest in food
- Lethargy, sluggishness, or lack of energy
- Unable to handle training or playtime after short sessions
If your dog exhibits these behaviors, evaluate their sleep schedule and environment. Ensure they have a quiet, peaceful place to sleep undisturbed during the day and night. Adding scheduled naptimes may also help dogs get the sleep their bodies require.
Health Risks of Inadequate Sleep in Dogs
Over time, chronic lack of sleep in dogs can contribute to significant health problems including:
- Obesity – too little sleep alters hormones that regulate appetite and metabolism
- Weakened immune system – lack of sleep impairs immune cells’ ability to respond to microbes
- Gastrointestinal issues – sleep deprivation disrupts the gut microbiome and digestive function
- Heart disease – inadequate sleep strains the cardiovascular system
- Diabetes – poor sleep quality reduces insulin sensitivity
- Shortened lifespan – long-term sleep deprivation contributes to premature aging
Prioritizing adequate, high-quality sleep is just as important for canine health as diet and exercise. If you are concerned your dog is not sleeping enough, consult your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Getting enough quality sleep is vital for a dog’s wellbeing. Most adult dogs sleep 12-14 hours per day. However, each dog’s needs vary based on age, breed, activity, and health status. Understanding your dog’s natural sleep rhythms and supporting their daytime and nighttime rest will result in a happier, healthier pet.