Do you think your dog is sleeping too much or too little? Are you worried that they may be too sluggish? Think something’s wrong with their sleeping cycle?

Knowing the natural snoozing period of your dear pooch is not just a nice little trivia to know but also one that can help dog parents like you take care of your beloved pet’s health better.

The Truth About Your Dog’s Sleep Time

According to Sleep Advisor, long naps are perfectly natural for dogs. Dogs are active only for about 20 percent of their natural day cycle. Adult dogs can snooze for 12 to 14 hours a day while puppies can sleep for as long as 18 hours or more. The rest of the time, you can find them lying around or taking a rest.

If your dog is sleeping more or less than that, don’t worry. The difference can be explained by a variety of other factors, including breed and age.

Factors Affecting Canine Sleep

Age.

Understandably, your dog will need more sleep time as they age. Puppies can spend all day tumbling around and doing backflips on the couch until they drop down from exhaustion, but the adult ones tire out quickly and will thus need plenty of downtimes.

On average, puppies will sleep for as much as 15 to 20 hours a day. They use most of their energy exploring the world, so they sleep to recover and process everything they’ve taken in during their waking times. You can begin to be worried if your puppy sleeps beyond the average hours and seems lethargic when they’re awake.

On the other hand, adult dogs sleep for about 12 to 14 hours a day, but as they grow older, they may need to sleep more to recover their lost energy. Some senior dogs will sleep as much as puppies do, while others can go with 14 to 15 hours per 24-hour cycle.

Breed.

Dr. Evan Antin from the Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital in California says some dog breeds tend to be sleepier than others. Breeds like bulldogs and the mastiff, for example, are reputed, bed lovers. Working dogs, on the other hand, tend to be busier and have higher energy levels, so they sleep less.

Environmental changes. If you’ve recently relocated to a new home or a significant change has occurred in the household, your fur buddies are also very likely to feel and react to them, just like you would. Any noticeable difference in the sleep cycle may reflect these changes and indicate stress. If their sleep routine does not go back to normal after some time, it’s best to consult the professionals.

Most dogs will feel anxious over unfamiliar surroundings, so it would be better to expose them to your new home gradually before you move in all at once. Moreover, try to make the new place more familiar and more comfortable to them by bringing items that smell like your old home, following the same routine, and giving them lots of treats, love, and attention.

Period of activity.

The amount of exercise that the dogs get each day also dictates the amount of sleep they get. Farm dogs and police dogs who have more tasks that occupy their attention and require their energy may sleep less than most urban-dwelling canines do.

Health.

Any drastic change in your pet’s sleeping routine or habits may suggest a health problem. These problems may be caused by the following:

• A poor diet that can lead to indigestion, nutrient deficiency, or low energy
• Ingestion of or allergies to potentially harmful or toxic food items
• An underlying physical problem like infections, parasites, etc.

Food plays a vital role in maintaining your furry buddy’s health. Make sure to feed them a balanced diet of water, protein, fats, carbs, vitamins, and minerals. Also, be careful about the treats you give your pooch. Choose safe and healthy doggy treats that are 100 percent digestible and free of artificial flavors, additives, and preservatives. For fur moms who don’t have much time to shop, you can get your hands on convenient subscription boxes that come with treats and toys so you can spoil your pooch every once in a while.

Average Sleep Time of the Most Common Dog Breeds

Here’s a breakdown of how much sleep puppies of the most common dog breeds get on average per day (with sources).

• Boxers: 18 hours [s]
• Rottweiler: 12 to 16 hours [s]
• Poodles: 15 to 20 hours [s]
• Yorkshire terriers: 16 to 22 hours [s]
• French bulldog: 18 to 20 hours [s]
• Beagles: 18 hours [s]
• English bulldogs: 18 to 20 hours [s]
• Golden retrievers: 12+ hours [s]
• German shepherds: 18 hours [s]
• Labrador retrievers: 20 hours [s]

Important to Remember

Age, breed, environmental changes, periods of activity, and health are all factors that affect the duration of your pooch’s sleep. The amount of sleep your dog is getting should be within the recommended hours for them, and your dog shouldn’t demonstrate symptoms of sickness, like lethargy, loss of appetite, sudden and dramatic weight loss, and changes in activity level. Take your dog to the vet immediately when you notice these signs.