You’re not the only one who needs enough sleep. It is also important for your dog to have sufficient rest periods. Because only then can he regenerate and gather new strength. In this article you will learn, among other things, how much sleep your dog needs. We will also explain why he needs your support and what makes a good place to sleep.
Key facts at a glance
- Sleep in dogs, like humans, is for relaxation.
- There are 3 different types of sleep.
- Some dogs require training to rest and sleep.
- Too little sleep leads to hyperactivity, irritability and susceptibility to disease.
- The right place to sleep is very important.
Dogs need a lot of sleep
Terms like “being dog tired” are no coincidence. Because while humans get by with about seven to eight hours of sleep a night, the need for sleep and rest is significantly higher in dogs. Depending on the age of the animal, it can easily be 22 hours a day.
Adult dogs need about 17 to 20 hours a day. Puppies and old or sick dogs even need 20 to 22 hours of rest and sleep a day.
Deep sleep is only part of the need for rest in dogs
You may think that if you sleep 20+ hours a day, there is little time left for anything else. However, you must remember that this information includes any rest periods your dog may have. This is part of your dog’s sleep needs:
- snooze
- Relax
- deep sleep
snooze
Often it only looks like your dog is sleeping. He is lying there quietly and his eyes are closed. In truth, however, he just dozes off. He keeps a very close eye on what is happening in his surroundings with his ears and nose. Whether you walk past him or even plan to leave the house. Your dog is very aware of this and will immediately jump up if he thinks he might miss something.
Relax
Your dog’s eyes are not always closed when resting. Sometimes he just lies there and relaxes or cuddles with you on the couch. This isn’t a prompt to encourage him to play, it’s also an important part of his recovery. So don’t bother him.
deep sleep
Of course, dogs don’t just doze off. Like us humans, they need proper sleep – around 6 to 8 hours a day. During this time your body can regenerate and you can process what you have experienced during the day. Whether your dog sleeps peacefully also depends on whether his day has been tiring or perhaps particularly exciting.
Not every dog rests on its own
You may have doubts about the numbers given when you look at your dog’s rest periods. However, this is not because your four-legged friend is the exception to this rule. Rather, it is the case that your dog has not learned to take the rest that his body needs on his own.
Because even if dogs can sense that they are tired, we have trained them over the centuries so that they are always available to us. This makes your dog very fixated on you and afraid that he might miss something important. Accordingly, sleeping and resting are often neglected.
Lack of sleep can have serious consequences for dogs
Lack of sleep is a problem you should take seriously. Just like with us humans, a lack of sleep will sooner or later lead to serious health problems for your four-legged friend. Research has shown that dogs who don’t get enough sleep go through different stages.
- At first, your dog will make a very excited impression.
- Then concentration and motor skills start to suffer.
- As sleep deprivation progresses, he becomes increasingly nervous and irritable.
- Eventually, his susceptibility to disease increases and he often becomes aggressive.
- If you continue to do nothing about his lack of sleep, serious, often chronic, illnesses will result.
Depending on the race, the duration of the respective phases differs. However, in order to avoid health consequences, you should not let your dog go through them all anyway.
Help your dog get enough sleep
Be aware that most dogs will need assistance to meet their need for rest and sleep. Puppies in particular need special help here and have to learn when it is time to sleep. In the beginning, this can even mean that you have to lie down together with your dog.
Also, be sure to confirm your dog’s behavior when it retreats to its roost on its own. Avoid disturbing him with too much noise or trying to keep him from sleeping by trying to keep him busy.
Also, ensure that the rhythm is as constant as possible. By getting your dog used to certain times when they play, eat and rest, you give them security. Ultimately, this will also have a positive effect on his sleeping habits.
This makes a good sleeping place for dogs
It is hardly possible to name an ideal sleeping place for all dogs. Because both the preferences of the four-legged friend and your own ideas play a role here. In any case, the sleeping place of your choice should meet certain criteria. We have summarized the most important ones for you below.
Make sure that the sleeping area offers your dog enough rest. However, at the same time, he should be close to you. Otherwise, it can quickly happen that the four-legged friend feels excluded from the rest of the family. Your dogs want to be able to see everything and at the same time lie with their backs against the wall for protection. A place that is a little off the beaten track in the living room is therefore usually very suitable.
In addition, it is important that the sleeping place is protected from the sun and drafts and is not located directly next to the heater. It should also offer enough space for your dog to stretch. Especially if you use a dog basket or similar, you have to pay attention to it.
Twitching while sleeping is normal for dogs
It can happen again and again that your dog starts to twitch or makes strange noises while sleeping. This is not uncommon and completely harmless. Because we humans are not the only ones who have dreams at night. Dogs also process what they have experienced during the day while sleeping.
Especially in young and older dogs, the dreams are often noticeable through twitching of the limbs. In this case, we recommend that you let your dog continue to sleep in peace. If you bother him, he might get frightened.
If you notice your dog is having nightmares – because they have them too – you can hold your hand a few inches away from the nose. However, do not touch the dog while doing this. Their scent either gently wakes up the dog or gives the dream a different impact.
Sleep requirements of dogs – our conclusion
Depending on their age, dogs need up to 22 hours each day to recover. The effects of prolonged lack of sleep are no less detrimental to canine health than to humans.
So make sure your four-legged friend gets enough sleep. If necessary, support him by establishing fixed habits, for example, and providing him with a place to sleep where he feels comfortable.