You may wonder why do dogs sleep so much as you find them napping while you go about your day. Dogs sleep more than humans, but there’s still the question of why.
How Much do Dogs Normally Sleep?
Dogs sleep more than humans do, mainly because they don’t have responsibilities that keep them from sleeping when their body tells them to. On average, a dog will spend roughly half their day asleep and split the rest of their day between exercising and lounging about. You probably notice when your dog lounges because they just like to rest and watch what’s going on around them.
Reasons Some Dogs will Sleep More than Others
Some dogs will sleep more than others for a number of reasons.
They’re Growing
Puppies spend quite a bit of time sleeping, more than even the laziest of dogs. This is because, like children, they’re growing rapidly and that takes a lot of energy to do.
They’re Very Active
Some dogs are very active, like working dogs or dogs that are more playful in general. They may spend more time playing and exercising than they do lounging, so they spend more time sleeping as a result.
Breed Size
Different breeds need to sleep for different amounts of time. Small breeds don’t need a lot of sleep because they are so tiny. Large and giant breeds, however, need a lot more sleep because it requires a great effort for them to move their big bodies around.
They’re Old
Older dogs sleep more than other dogs because their bodies are worn out and they can’t do as much as they used to. This may be from arthritis or other health issues, or they’re just fine but have earned that extra sleep.
How to Tell When Your Dog is Sleeping Too Much
Because of how much dogs do sleep, it can sometimes be difficult to tell how much sleep is too much sleep. This is going to vary from dog to dog, and you’re the one who will notice it best, as you are around your dog the most.
Their Sleep Schedule Changes
Like you, your dog probably has a sleep schedule they love to stick to. You might notice if they always take a mid-afternoon nap right up until dinner time, and you’ll notice if that mid-afternoon nap suddenly happens in the early afternoon, adding a few extra hours to their sleep when they might normally have been playing. If you notice this, start keeping track of when your dog is sleeping and then take a visit to your vet and give them the information, as they may be able to figure out an underlying issue causing it.
You have Difficulties Waking Them
Dogs usually wake up fairly quickly, although sometimes they can take their time when they’re sleeping very deeply, and they might give you a momentary heart attack right before they do wake up. However, if your dog starts becoming difficult to wake up, it’s a sure sign something is going on under the surface that’s causing your dog to have some issues, so be sure to schedule an appointment with your vet.
Exercise Intolerance
Your dog may seem like they’re doing just fine, especially if they’re prone to laziness or they’re a little out of shape, but an exercise intolerance may be looming under the surface as a symptom of a much more serious issue. If you notice your dog stops a lot and pants when doing some sort of activity, even a mundane one that shouldn’t be very tiring, they may be showing signs of exercise intolerance. If you notice your dog stops for a breath in odd places, this can be another sign, as it shows they were too tired to stop somewhere more comfortable. Exercise intolerance can be a symptom of diabetes, heart disease, anemia, infections, and other serious issues. If you notice this happening regularly, schedule a check-up with your vet.
Why do dogs sleep so much is a fairly easy question to answer, as they don’t have any reason not to sleep when their body tells them to. However, if you notice changes in your dog’s sleep patterns, think about scheduling a visit to the vet.
