It’s so cute to look over and see your pup snoozing away (even when they’re snoring loud enough to wake the dead), but as USA Today reports, if it seems like your dog is sleeping too much, or too little, it might be cause for concern.
According to veterinarian Nicole Savageau, it’s actually normal for most dogs to sleep about half the day. That’s about 12-14 hours. This is heavily dependent on their age, however. Younger and older dogs tend to sleep longer than middle-aged ones.
How Much Sleep Do Puppies Need?
When puppies are newborns, they’ll typically spend their days doing nothing but sleeping and eating. As they grow, they’ll spend a little more time playing before crashing into a nap. By six months, you can expect your puppy to play a little longer. It’s normal to still see them quickly switch from high to low energy, Savageau says.
“They can be in the middle of playing and they’ll just fall asleep because they need to replenish that energy,” Savageau says. “Their joints are growing, their bones are growing, their body’s producing new cells every day to keep them growing and it happens very fast.”
What About Senior Dogs?
Puppies aren’t the only ones spending most of their day snoozing – adult, senior dogs need extra sleep as well. “They just don’t have the same amount of energy as younger dogs,” Savageau says, noting that many older dogs sleep more than the normal 12-14 hours.
Can a peacefully sleeping pup ever be a problem? Yes, if their sleeping behavior is significantly changed, says Savageau. Abrupt sleep pattern changes could indicate an underlying disease, like hypothyroidism, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or even arthritis if it’s more painful to move around.
If your dog is sleeping less than normal, it can also be a problem. “For senior dogs, they can get something called canine cognitive dysfunction, which is basically like doggy dementia,” Savageau says. Signs of canine cognitive dysfunction are typically more present at night than during the day, and dogs may act confused, pace around or have trouble settling.
When to Consult Your Vet
If you’re concerned about your dog’s sleeping behavior, don’t hesitate to contact your vet. Even if there is an underlying condition, Savageau mentions there are medications, like anti-anxiety pills and melatonin, that can ease sleeping troubles.
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