Discover the reasons for your dogs changing sleeping habits
Most dogs sleep for the most of the day and the entire night. Humans are accustomed to remaining awake throughout the day and only sleeping at night when it is dark outside. Dogs sleep intermittently during the day and night, unlike humans. Although it may seem like they sleep a lot, many dogs only get approximately 11 hours of sleep per day.
So when should you start to worry? Dogs have brief sleep and wake cycles, just like other predators, and some breeds just sleep more. Sleeping, though, can occasionally be a sign of a problem, including stress, separation anxiety, or illness.
Find out more about the typical sleeping habits of dogs and how to spot problems.
The reason dogs sleep so much
Carnivores occasionally sleep for the majority of the day. Dogs don’t differ much either. They don’t have cellphones, homework, or other activities to keep them busy, so they sleep when it is quiet. Dogs, on the other hand, also awaken quickly and become completely alert.
Your dog’s ability to sleep depends on the following elements:
Age: Senior dogs and puppies will sleep more than dogs in their middle years.
Weight: In an effort to recover, overweight and sick dogs sleep more than healthy dogs do.
Breed: Some animals simply snooze more than others.
If your dog appears to sleep longer than normal or has trouble waking up, there may be a problem. Lethargy is a symptom of a few age-related conditions and diseases, including parvovirus, distemper, heartworm, and leptospirosis.
In most cases, a dog sleeping for about 12 hours each day isn’t a problem. Before worrying about an underlying problem, pay attention to your dog’s sleep patterns and other habits, such as eating, activity level, and attentiveness.
Give your dog a task to perform
Dogs spend the entire day alone while we are at work or in class. Once we go to sleep at night, our dogs are once more left alone and without anything to do. If you believe your dog sleeps excessively, it may just not have anything to do.
Try interventions like puzzle toys if you want to prevent boredom and provide your dog with more enrichment during the day. These games involve hiding a reward and having your dog search for it inside a ball or under a cup. You can start with a simpler option and progress to a harder one because toys can be either simple or sophisticated.
If you have time during your lunch break from work, you can also take your dog for a walk in the middle of the day. If not, get your dog a brisk afternoon walk from a dog walker. If you’re home, you could also take your dog out for a walk in the morning or the evening to spend time together and provide them some exercise.
When to Contact a Veterinarian
The majority of the time, you’ll notice more sleep along with additional symptoms like inappetence or overt pain. Sleep may be the first sign that something is wrong, but dogs are skilled at hiding their problems.
Here are some warning signs to watch out for:
- changes in sleeping habits
- sleeping when you provide entertainment or food as alternatives
- fewer meals or drinks
- Having trouble waking up
- narcolepsy, or erratic sleeping
- abrupt awakening, displaying fear or distress
- limping, lameness, or weakness
- struggling to stand or walk
- An increase in https://petkeen.com/predatory-aggression/hostility
- Drooling or pacing
While some of these symptoms may point to age-related issues like arthritis or dementia, others may point to other medical conditions like hypothyroidism. To identify the underlying problem, have your dog examined by your veterinarian.
What Causes My Dog to Sleep So Much?
Dogs sleep a lot, but mainly because they are bored all the time. Walks, playtime, and puzzle toys can all be used to enrich your dog’s life. It’s necessary to visit the vet if your dog is still sleeping a lot and displaying other symptoms of disease, such as weakness or inappetence.
