Do Dogs Sleep All Night?
If you are a pet parent to a dog, you know they sleep a lot; perhaps enough to even make you a little jealous. Dogs spend most of their day napping. It makes you wonder whether they will have any sleep to spare for the night. Do dogs sleep all night? Or perhaps they stay awake?
Is it okay for your dog to sleep all night and day or is that an indicator of an underlying issue? If you are new to having a dog, you may find their sleeping patterns a bit difficult to understand.
You probably have plenty of questions about your dog’s sleeping habits. In this article, we will look at several issues on dog sleeping patterns and habits.
How Much Sleep Should a Dog Get?
A normal, healthy, well-adjusted dog should sleep for between 12hours-14hours in a 24-hour cycle. Some can even sleep for up to 18hours-20hours in a 24-hour day.
So, do dogs sleep all night?
The sleeping hours recommended for dogs above is inclusive of naps taken throughout the day. Several factors influence the amount of time a dog spends sleeping; the main ones are:
- Age: senior dogs and puppies need more sleep than youthful dogs. Old dogs tire easily due to age and the health issues that come with it, like arthritis.
Puppies tire out quickly because of how hyper-active they tend to be while awake. They also need plenty of sleep (up to 18 hours) so that their bodies can channel their energy towards growth.
- Breed: Large dog breeds tend to sleep for longer hours than tiny dog breeds. Some dog breeds are predisposed to sleeping for longer hours, even up to 20hours in a day.
- The Environment: If a dog is in a stimulating environment where someone is always playing with them or walking them, the dog will spend less time sleeping. But if they are often left alone and bored, they will probably nap and sleep more to kill time.
By design, dogs are crepuscular animals meaning they tend to be more active at dusk and or dawn. However, after being domesticated, dogs have learned to adapt to the microenvironment created by their pet parents at home.
A dog’s sleeping pattern is adaptable and flexible.
Do Dogs Sleep All Night?
The answer to this question is a solid “it depends”. According to the Adaptive Sleep Theory, periods of wakefulness and being asleep evolved as a means of conserving energy. In line with this theory, when dogs are not engaged in any activity they sleep.
Ideally, when you go to bed at night you are not engaging your dog hence you expect it to sleep. However, this is not always the case. Remember, dogs have personalities and may react differently to different situations. Some dogs are exceptions to the rule.
They would rather keep you up at night than take a snooze. If your dog is not sleeping through the night, there might be several reasons why.
[Related, check out the Best Dog Crates and Cages]
Why Your Dog is Not Sleeping Through the Night
When you come home from work, you are probably dog tired (pun intended) and just want to go to bed. Your dog, however, has other plans and is jumping all around the house like “I want to play! I want to play!” If this is the story of your life, there might be several reasons why your dog is not sleeping through the night.
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Too much time alone during the day
If all members of your household spend their day away from home and your dog is left alone, it will probably sleep the whole day. Your dog may exhaust their sleeping hours during the day and be more alert at night.
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Inadequate physical and mental exercise
Dogs need to be engaged in both physical and mental activities to utilize their stored energy. If your dog is not engaged during the day, it will have excess energy at night.
The excess energy may cause anxiety and restlessness in your dog interfering with their night sleep.
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Wrong diet and poor feeding schedule
A dog’s sensitivity to the ingredients or quality of its food may cause it to be restless. Hydration is vital for dogs too. Feeding your dog too close to bedtime may also affect their night sleep.
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Uncomfortable bedding or sleeping spot
Dogs, just like humans, like to be cozy and comfortable while sleeping. If the dog finds either its bed or its designated sleeping area uncomfortable, it may not sleep well hence keep getting up in the middle of the night.
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Inadequate grounding/earthing
Grounding refers to direct contact with the electrons on the earth’s surface. Research has shown that grounding has a positive effect on a dog’s circadian rhythm and overall wellness.
If your dog spends too much time indoors it is probably not well grounded. Inadequate grounding can cause physiological dysfunctions like lack of sleep.
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EMFs
Exposure to Electromagnetic Forces (EMFs) from electronics in the home may affect your dog’s physiological functions including sleep.
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Health Conditions
Health conditions like cognitive dysfunction syndrome and sleep apnea may cause restlessness and lack of sleep in a dog. If you were wondering “Do dogs sleep all night?” I guess now you know why some dogs do not sleep through the night.
[Related, check out the Best Dog Beds and Houses]
How to Help Your Dog Sleep the Whole Night
If your dog is not sleeping through the night, then you probably aren’t either. The lack of sleep on your part is probably why the question “Do dogs sleep all night?” is on your mind.
As a pet parent, you want the best for your dog, including the best sleep. Below are a few things you can do to help your dog sleep the whole night.
- Stimulation: Keep your dog stimulated through engagement and exercise. If your dog expends all its energy during the day, they will look forward to a good night’s sleep. If your entire household spends the day away from home then doggy care might be a probable solution.
- Quality feeding: Feeding your dog human-grade quality food and keeping them hydrated will reduce food sensitivities and enhance sleep.
- Proper feeding schedule: Create a doggy feeding schedule with room for several hours of digestion and a dump before bedtime.
- Comfortable bedding: Try out different mattresses and sleeping crates then observe and identify the one your dog likes best. Do the same for sleeping spots. If you don’t mind sharing your bet with your dog, you will probably love that.
- Keep it grounded: If you cannot afford your dog more time outdoors try a grounding mat. It will help balance electrons and restore your dog’s circadian rhythm.
- Address health issues: If you suspect your dog’s lack of sleep at night is due to underlying health issues, visit the vet for a diagnosis and treatment.
CONCLUSION
If you were wondering “Do dogs sleep all night?” now you know. Although dogs can sleep both during the day, their night sleep is just as important. If you are concerned about your dog not sleeping through the night, observe their behavior, then take corrective measures. Keep your dog active and engaged during the day to help them sleep all night.
[Related, check out the Best Dog Beds and Houses]