Why Sleep Is Important for Dogs

We all know that our furry friends like to sleep and relax, especially if they’ve had a long walk or are tired from playing. You may often find your pup in a cosy place having a snooze, but have you ever wondered why your dog is sleeping a lot? Or if it’s a cause for concern? Rest is super important for our dogs, and in this blog, we’ll help you find out why! 

Why Sleep Is Important

Sleep is important for dogs as it helps their body repair itself, supports general immune function, and overall physical health. Having a good sleep can even help our pooches reduce inflammation in their body.

Its benefits aren’t just physical; they also have many mental health benefits too. Adequate sleep helps with memory consolidation and cognitive function to help elevate mood. It can also help with brain development, memory, and learning ability.

Another fun fact is that well-rested dogs are generally happier and less prone to stress-related issues, making them less likely to be irritable or reactive. So, it’s safe to say that sleep is important for dogs, much like it is for humans too!

Why Is My Dog Sleeping So Much?

There can be many reasons why your dog is sleeping a lot. Some of these factors can include: 

• Age
• Breed
• Activity levels of your pooch

If your dog is still young then it’s more likely they’ll be sleeping a lot, because just like human children, pups need more sleep as they undergo growth and development.

Although dogs like sleeping, it’s important to know some reasons behind why they may be sleeping so much. Reasons can include:

• Boredom: A dog may be sleeping a lot because they’re bored. If they’re not getting enough mental and physical stimulation, there’s not much they can do to distract themselves, so sleeping is really their only option. If you’re worried about your pooch sleeping the day away while home alone, check out our blog on how to keep them entertained when they’re alone.
• Environment: If your dog is sleeping more, this can also be brought on by changes in their environment, such as during the summertime when dogs often sleep more during the day to avoid the heat. 

Do dogs need another dog for company? 

The typical amount of sleep a dog needs can change as they age, as puppies generally need a lot more sleep than adult dogs do. However, smaller dogs tend to sleep less than larger dogs, so their exact needs can depend on their breed.

Purely based on age, the average amount of sleep a dog needs is as follows:

• Puppies: Young dogs typically need 18 – 20 hours of sleep per day due to their growth, development, and their amount of energy!
• Adults: As dogs age, they usually need 12 – 14 hours of sleep per day, depending on their activity level and breed.
• Senior dogs: Older dogs may need more sleep, with around 14 – 18 hours per day, as their older bodies may need more rest.

What Do Dog Sleeping Positions Mean? 

You may find your dog in all sorts of funny positions when they are sleeping, and you may wonder if any of them have a meaning. Well, they do! A dog’s sleeping positions can give us little clues into how they’re feeling. This can include:

• Curled up: This position resembles a tight circle and is used to conserve body heat. They can use this position when they feel vulnerable or anxious. 
• On their side: This shows that your pup feels safe and comfortable, as their belly is relatively exposed. If your dog sleeps like this in your presence, it shows their strong bond with you. 
• On their back: This dog sleeping position suggests they are completely relaxed and secure in this environment and trust all those around them! 

• Sprawled out: Usually if a dog is sprawled, it is a way of them trying to cool themselves down from any heat. 

Why Is My Dog Sleeping More Than Usual?

If you feel like your dog is sleeping more than usual, it’s important to know why this might be. Usually, dogs sleeping a lot is nothing to worry about, but if you notice changes in your dogs’ sleeping pattern, there might be a reason behind it.

Some of the reasons why your dog may be sleeping more than usual can be:

• Illness or pain: Dogs that are unwell may want and need to sleep more to help their body try to heal and recover. 
• Age: A dog’s behaviour can change as they get older. Older dogs naturally sleep more as they can get tired easily. 
• Boredom: Having a lack of mental and physical stimulation can lead to increased sleep and dogs withdrawing from activities.
• Stress: Dogs may sleep more if they’re feeling stressed or anxious. If you notice your pooch is stressed, using an ADAPTIL Calm diffuser can help create a relaxing and reassuring environment for your dog to help return to their usual sleeping pattern.

Why Is My Dog Not Sleeping Enough?

We’ve explained why sleep is important, and the reasons why your dog may be sleeping more than usual, but what if they’re not sleeping enough?

Some of the reasons your pup might not be getting enough sleep can include:

• Being uncomfortable due to things such as bedding or temperature. 
• They may have a new routine or environment that they’re not comfortable with.
• Loud noises from outside or inside the house may be disturbing them.
• They struggle with being alone.  
•  If they are young, they could be teething, overtired, or needing to go to the toilet.

An overtired pup will act much like an overtired human, they can become overexcited and hyperactive, or irritable and reactive. When you identify the reasons why your pooch isn’t sleeping enough, you can take the steps needed to ensure they settle and get enough sleep so they continue to act like themselves. This can include making sure they have a specific bedtime routine, somewhere they feel safe to rest and setting up a comfortable place to sleep, close by their ADAPTIL Calm diffuser.

If you feel like your puppy isn’t sleeping enough, this can be because unfamiliar surroundings can be very stressful for a young pup. To help your puppy sleep through the night, it’s important to teach them to be comfortable with being alone at bedtime. Much like with adult dogs, create a safe and cosy space for them to rest and use ADAPTIL Junior, which releases comforting messages to reassure them.

What To Do If You Notice Changes In Your Dogs’ Sleep

If you have noticed changes in your dog’s sleep patterns that are out of the ordinary, here are some things that we recommend:

• Consult your vet: If you notice significant changes in your dog's sleep patterns, it's important to consult a vet to rule out any medical issues that may be contributing to this change. Make sure to tell your vet about any other changes that may be happening too, such as irritability, reactivity or stress-related issues. 
• Increase activities during the day: Provide more physical and mental activities for your dog to keep them stimulated throughout the day and prevent boredom.
• Create a routine: Establish a consistent daily routine. Having a routine for the evening can help them reduce stress and get ready to settle down and fall asleep comfortably. 

For more tips and advice on caring for your pooch, don’t forget to check out all our articles online! Or to receive our help straight into your inbox, sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you in the loop with all the latest ADAPTIL guides and info.