Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much? How to Tell If Your Dog's Sleeping Habits Are Healthy

If you find your dog is often asleep most of the day, don't fret—while it's normal for dogs to sleep through the night, many dogs also spend much of the day asleep. Most dogs will sleep around 10 to 14 hours per day, but some may sleep as much as 20 hours. If excessive sleeping has become an issue with your pup, it might be time to get down to the bottom of it. Changes in sleeping patterns can be a result of aging or disease, which is why you should keep a close eye on your dog's sleep cycle.

Here are some insights into a dog's sleeping patterns, plus advice on how to encourage activity in your dog to keep them awake during the day and when to seek help from your veterinarian.

How Much Sleep Do Dogs Need?

Many dogs will end up spending about 12 to 14 hours of a 24-hour cycle, but how much your dog sleeps will depend on a variety of factors:

• Very young puppies and older dogs will likely spend more of their time asleep.
• Overweight and sick dogs may also sleep more than healthy dogs.
• Certain breeds are predisposed towards sleeping more (ask someone who’s owned a slow-moving basset hound versus a high-energy border collie).

In most cases, a dog that sleeps for 12 to 14 hours per day is no cause for concern. That’s normal! But owners should be aware that excess sleep can also be a sign of potential problems, especially if you notice a sudden change in the amount your dog is sleeping. It's best to talk to your vet when you have these concerns.

Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much?

Studies suggest that many dogs sleep an average of at least 11 hours in a 24-hour cycle. Additionally, they take many resting periods with the smallest portion of the day devoted to activity.

Most dogs will sleep more when they are relaxed and there isn't a good motivation for them to be active. Since they don’t have smartphones, jobs, or homework, sleeping is a way for them to pass the day, especially if they are home alone and bored.

Of course, hours and hours of snoozing can also be a sign of a health problem. Many diseases and age-related problems can come with a change in sleeping patterns.

How to Prevent Napping Out of Boredom

Since most dogs don’t go to work or school, it’s common for them to be bored if they are alone for long stretches of the day. Pair a long, lonely day with the hours that their human is asleep, and that’s a long time for your dog to spend sleeping every day! If it feels like your dog is sleeping his days away, consider what else he’s got to do with his time.

Enrichment

The best way to help your dog stay awake and active during the day is to provide lots of interesting toys, games, and activities. For example, puzzle toys can be a great way to keep your pup busy and active during the day. You can also hide kibble or treats inside of a towel or an egg carton (as long as your dog is not one to eat towels). Check on your dog using a dog camera to see if she’s playing with the puzzle toys or ignoring them.

Exercise

You can also spice up your dog’s day with midday dog walks and more prolonged bouts of exercise in the morning and evening. Some dogs may also enjoy a doggy daycare setting where they can play with other dogs all day long.

If you notice that your dog is sleeping even when there are exciting things to do, or if your dog is no longer engaging with things that he used to do, it could mean that something else is going on. Speak with your veterinarian for advice on next steps.

When to Call the Vet

Generally, it’s pretty standard for your dog to spend a portion of the day asleep or resting. That said, too much sleep can be a sign of a problem with your dog’s health.

If you're concerned, try to keep track of your dog’s sleep patterns and any other symptoms. Make sure she’s a healthy weight and that she has plenty to do during the day to enrich her alone time. If she’s still sleeping an unusual amount, it might be time to see the vet.

There are a few tell-tale signs that your dog may be sleeping too much:

• Sleeping when there’s “something better to do,” especially if that thing would usually grab their attention, such as sleeping through meals
• You run into difficulty when attempting to wake your dog up
• Limping or unwilling to walk, run, or jump
• Increase or decrease in eating, urination, or defecation
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
• The increase in sleep comes with other behavior problems
• Disorientation, confusion, getting 'lost' at home, staring at walls or corners
• Increased aggression or fearfulness
• Pacing and other signs of anxiety
  

Your vet will likely have a lot of questions and may need to run some tests. Getting a thorough workup from your vet, which will include a complete physical exam, blood work, and possibly other tests, can help uncover the cause and get your pup feeling her best again.

Some of these signs might have developed slowly over time, especially in older dogs. It is always important to discuss your dog's age with your vet as there may be ways to make your dog more comfortable in their golden years.