How much do dogs sleep?
New dog owners are just like first-time parents. Owning a dog, especially for the first time comes with some concerns so it’s okay for first time owners to ask questions like how much sleep does the dog need? Ideally, it’s a show of concern which is good.
Often, they aren’t sure what’s best for their new pup and spend most of their time monitoring their behavior patterns. The good news is dogs aren’t that complicated and they pretty much follow their own sleeping patterns.
(Click Here To Get Your Dog The Perfect Dog Bed)
For how long is my dog supposed to sleep?
How much a dog sleeps can vary from dog to dog depending on their daily activities. Other factors that can determine how much your dog sleeps are breed, age, and environmental conditions. Therefore, comparing how your dog sleeps to other dogs may not be a fair comparison for your pup.
Generally, if your dog sleeps between 12 to 14 hours a day, then there is nothing to worry about. What you should be concerned about is if your dog sleeps for more than 15 hours a day. If this happens, the best thing to do is to observe its behavior while awake. If you notice a change in eating habits and how it interacts with people, it would be advisable to visit the vet.
Some factors that can cause your dog to sleep abnormally include;
- Increased playtime
Increased playtime and exercise can cause your dog to sleep for longer hours. If your pet hasn’t been exposed to a lot of play or exercise off late, it might take the time to recuperate. Hard play and exercise wear them out hence they need sufficient rest.
- New pets in your home
If you’ve recently brought a new kitten to your home, this may also affect your dog’s sleeping patterns. This is because your dog may be looking for a secluded and quiet spot to sleep on to avoid the new pet.
- Hot temperatures
Hot weather can make your pet sleep for longer hours due to heat exhaustion. You should be keen on the vital signs such as vomiting and drooling which come with hot temperatures.
- Diseases
There are ailments that could keep your pet worn out throughout the day. More so if your pet is lethargic it will sleep for the most part of the day. Arthritis can also be a major problem due to painful joints. If you suspect your pet is sick, you should get it a dog bed for the arthritic dog and pay your vet a visit.
- Age
Age is an important factor that’ll determine how long your pet sleeps. Senior dogs tend to sleep for longer hours than young or middle-aged dogs. This is essential because of worn-out joints and muscles. Also, older dogs take a longer period to recuperate than younger dogs. A senior dog would spend 16 to 18 hours of the day sleeping. For puppies, they require about 15 to 20 hours of sleep per day. This helps them develop their nervous system, muscles, and immune system.
How to ensure your pet sleeps well
Sleep is important for pets. It re-energizes the body and supports metabolic reactions. Sleep helps pets to grow healthier and stronger. Here are some basic tips you can follow to ensure your pet sleeps soundly:
- Exercise your pet
Daily exercises can be beneficial to your pet. The daily exercise helps to drain the excess energy your pet might be having. Later on-wards they can sleep comfortably after an eventful day.
- Maintain a balanced diet
Ensure you put your pet on a balanced diet, which holds all the necessary nutrients. Also, ensure the food is enough, don’t overfeed or underfeed your pet.
- Visit the vet
Give your local vet regular visits. The vet will diagnose your dog for ailments if you feel there is something wrong. Nonetheless, the vet will advise you on the best ways to take care of your pet.