Your alarm clock starts ringing a few seconds after it's cold wet nose the dog presses against your cheek and its eager tongue licks your face. It's time to get up!

You force yourself to get out of bed to walk the dog and take a shower. An hour later, when you've both had breakfast, you have to go to work while your furry friend goes to his bed, gets comfortable and begins to snore quietly. You sigh longingly and walk out the door.

Why do dogs sleep so much? Humans need six to eight hours of sleep per night, but how much should dogs sleep? It seems as if they sleep all the time, but is there a limit?

In fact, these questions can be answered. Unless your dog has suddenly changed his sleeping habits, there is probably no cause for concern.

How many hours a day should a dog sleep?

The National Sleep Foundation and most experts agree that dogs should sleep about 50 percent of their time, rest about 30 percent, and be active 20 percent.

Puppies may spend a little more time sleeping as their bodies use energy to actively grow, but when they wake up, they tend to be more active than older dogs. Your puppy may be much like your toddler, who refuses naps by crying out “I'm not sleepy!” until he falls asleep where he was playing. Puppies behave with all enthusiasm while awake, play, run, jump, lick your face, and then suddenly fall asleep on your lap, wasting all their energy.

Older dogs may start to rest more because their bodies are not as strong as they used to be. Experts estimate that adult dogs sleep about 12 to 14 hours a day, older dogs a little more, and puppies about 18 to 20 hours.

Why does your dog sleep so much?

However, it is important to remember that you are the center of the universe for your dog. Jessica Potosky, DVM, says dogs tend to spend more time sleeping. most day, unless you occupy them with other things. She believes that if healthy dogs sleep a lot, it means they simply have nothing to do. Most dogs would love to play or just spend time with their owners if given the opportunity.

Your dog probably knows how to differentiate when you are busy and when you can give him attention. If you are playing or otherwise interacting with him, he is alert and ready for it, but if you are busy, the dog will most likely decide to rest or take a nap.

So if you're concerned that she's sleeping too much, try engaging her in some playtime. Dogs need play, socialization, and activity just as much as we do to enjoy life. Remember that to your dog you are the whole world!

Does your dog really sleep all the time?

Dogs don't always sleep, sometimes they just rest. Their sleep is different from human sleep. Most of their daytime sleep is light sleep, because at the slightest unusual sound they become alert and become alert. Dogs are dozing at this time, and their sleep is not deep.

All dogs, even if they are not guard dogs, watch their owners very closely. They do this practically 24 hours a day! Only at night do they completely relax and fall into deep sleep, which is necessary to rejuvenate the body and renew strength.

Causes for concern?

The best way to check if your dog is sleeping too much is to see if there are any changes in his habits. Perhaps she used to like to play for a while after you got home, but now she just stays in bed? Or, for example, your dog used to love to watch you cook and beg for tidbits for himself, but now he is not interested in this and prefers to nap? Or has she stopped greeting you at the door when you come home?

When should you contact a veterinarian?

Dr. Potoski says, “I would recommend taking your dog to the vet if he becomes extremely lethargic. Anything that goes beyond her usual behavior should alert you and be a reason to visit a specialist.” As a dog owner, you are the best person to tell what dog behavior is normal and what worries you. When you see changes that are concerning, consult your doctor!

No wonder they say that a dog is best friend person. Many of us love them as much as we love family members, and taking care of their health is just as important. This is another reason to find out how long dogs should sleep.

Most people want to sleep all day. However, it is rare for anyone to succeed, and even to maintain healthy image Life becomes more difficult this way, but, nevertheless, this is normal for dogs. On average, adult dogs sleep between 14 and 16 hours a day. The length of sleep in dogs varies greatly depending on several factors.

Age

Just like people, young and old dogs sleep longer than healthy, older dogs. Until 12 weeks of age, puppies sleep 18 to 20 hours every day. Older dogs usually need to sleep longer after they reach 7 to 10 years of age, especially after eating. They usually also don't mind taking a nap after their daily walk. For all other adult dogs, the amount of sleep they get depends on how active they are during the day.

Size

Various breeds are thought to require different duration sleep. Small or ornamental breeds, such as Yorkshire Terrier and Chihuahuas usually sleep quite a lot. Giant dog breeds such as the Newfoundland, St. Bernard and Mastiff also like to sleep for very long periods of time. These dogs can sleep up to 18 hours a day.

Health

You can be grumpy if you don't get enough sleep, so don't be surprised if your dog might be the same. Healthy adult dogs typically get enough sleep in 14 to 16 hours. If a dog between the ages of 3 and 7 years sleeps significantly longer, this may indicate possible undetected problems with its health. Dogs with chronic diseases, such as heart failure, obesity and arthritis, get tired faster than healthy animals. If your dog is stressed, this can lead to lack of sleep or restless sleep. This problem can be solved using a safe and convenient place for sleeping at a suitable temperature.

Environment

Boredom can make you sleepier, and so can your dog. In addition, the environment in which she spends most of her time affects the quality and duration of her sleep. A bored dog will sleep for longer periods but will likely be more restless. Service dogs who herd livestock, or are hyperactive watch dogs, such as the Siberian Husky or Border Collie, can sleep in short bursts because they are bred to be alert for long periods of time.

Sleeping mode

Dogs have a sleep structure similar to humans, which consists of deep sleep, slow and easy sleep, and REM sleep characterized by rapid eye movement. The duration of REM sleep in puppies is significantly longer than in adult dogs, which is what significantly differs the duration and sleep patterns of adult and young dogs.

Hello! I am very concerned about the condition of my dog, the fact is that yesterday the dog ran and played normally, but today he is lethargic all day, sleeps, his eyes close while he walks. I didn’t eat or drink all day, but in the evening I managed to give her plenty of food and drink. He’s barely walking on the street, he doesn’t want to jump onto the parapet. At home he does not jump on the sofa and does not respond to commands. He sleeps all day. The eyes are very sad. But maybe this is due to the fact that the dog was a little stressed yesterday?? Yesterday guests came to us and, as usual, the dog hid under the sofa and did not come out, the dog is just a little afraid of strangers and reacts this way all the time, trembling. Please help, I’m very scared for the dog!

Hello!

Send a photo of the animal. There can be many reasons for the symptoms you describe. Describe in detail the animal's diet, indicating the ingredients included in it. When did you perform routine deworming? When was the animal vaccinated and with what vaccine? Which vitamin preparations use additionally. This is very important diagnostic information. Please provide it as soon as possible.

Please note that feeding Chappy, Pedigree, Belkanda, Caesar food is not recommended for feeding dogs. Neither dry nor wet. This is very junk food which can sooner or later provoke gastrointestinal diseases, allergies and quite often lead to the death of the animal. Sausages, milk, soups, borscht and everything else “that we ourselves eat” are not suitable for feeding dogs. This rule is. Feed the animal either high-quality industrial food: Acana, Gina, Orijen, Hills, Royal Canin, Eukanuba, Go Natural or Now Fresh. Or natural products: rice, oatmeal, buckwheat + beef, turkey, rabbit (not in the form of minced meat) and vegetable stew(cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, beets). The percentage of meat in the main diet is at least 40-50%. Also remember that you should never mix natural food and industrial feed. Vitamins must be used for any type of diet, for 1-1.5 months. 2 r. in year.

Apparently the dog viral infection. In any case, some symptoms may indicate this. However, we would recommend that you conduct general analysis blood, blood biochemistry. Send diagnostic results in the next 2-3 days.

1. Cycloferon or Anandin 0.4 ml i.m. 1 rub. in the village - up to 7 days.
2. Serrata 1/2 tab. 2 r. in the village - up to 10 days.
3. Liarsin 1 tab. or 2 ml i.m. 2 r. in the village - up to 10 days.
4. Ofloxacin 1/2 t. ext. 2 r. in the village up to 7-10 days.
5. Karsil 1 t. int. 2 r. in the village up to 14 days.
6. Proteflazid 7 drops. for 10 ml of water int. 3 r. in the village - up to 12 days.
7. Microvitam 1 ml i.m. 2 r. in the village up to 10-14 days.
8. Nucleopeptide 0.7 ml pc. 2 r. in the village up to 7-14 days.
9. Lincomycin 0.8 ml i.m. 2 r. in the village up to 10 days.
10. Instead of water, chamomile decoction 1 tsp. for 1 liter of water - up to 7-10 days.
11. Diet food. Rice + beef up to 10 days.
12. Wipe the nasal speculum and rinse the eyes with chamomile decoction for 3-4 r. in the village up to 10 days.
13. Lubricate the nasal planum with Oxaline ointment 3 rubles. in the village up to 10 days.

Please provide additional information about the animal's condition.

Surely, while watching your dog dozing, you have at least once thought: “My dog ​​sleeps all day... Is this normal?” Believe me, you are not alone. Nature has endowed dogs amazing ability sleep as much as they want. It is absolutely normal for dogs to be asleep most of the day. Here are some reasons why dogs sleep so much.

It's natural for dogs to sleep more than we do.

According to Dr. Evan Antin, a veterinarian in California, dogs sleep approximately 12-14 hours a day. He also notes that the number of hours spent sleeping depends on the age, breed and activity level of the dog.

"Some dog breeds sleep more than others, including French and English bulldogs. Service and working dog breeds are more active and sleep less," says Dr. Antin.

Age also plays a role in how much a dog sleeps. For example, puppies sleep 16-18 hours a day. Older dogs sleep about the same and may be less active due to joint pain and arthritis.

Dog lifestyle

Another reason why a dog sleeps all day is its lifestyle.

Dr. Antin explains it this way: "Domestic dogs can sleep more than they need, simply because they experience less irritation and stress. They do not have to hunt, run and hide from predators, find mates, etc. Wolves and coyotes have to do it themselves." "look for food, a pack, try to survive and reproduce. Domestic dogs have food, water and shelter. They are usually neutered, so there is no need to think about procreation either."

I would like to note that having housing and food is good, but this also leads to the dog sleeping more - there is simply nothing for the dog to do. But let's be honest, this is preferable to a pet out of idleness and boredom he gnawed on walls and furniture.

Other reasons long sleep in dogs

Health problems may cause dogs to need more sleep than healthy dogs. "Hormonal imbalance, hypothyroidism is those diseases that “force” your dog to sleep longer. Any diseases related to metabolism, as well as oncological diseases cause a decrease in activity in the dog," explains Dr. Antin.

Sound the alarm?

If you notice that your dog is less active or sleeping more than usual, first rule out "normal" factors such as age. Note, for example, that a dog eats a lot but does not gain weight; this may be due to metabolism. Observe your pet and if the issue is not resolved, you need to go to the veterinarian.

Maybe the dog didn't get enough sleep?

Dr. Antin says he has patients with respiratory diseases, overweight, such animals do not sleep well at night due to difficulty breathing, so they do not get enough sleep at night. It leads to constant fatigue and a decrease in the dog’s activity in general.

First of all, you need to figure out how much a puppy sleeps depending on its age. The first days of life, puppies only eat and sleep. Moreover, sleep takes up 90% of their life time. During this same period, their sleep consists only of the active phase - they whine, jerk their limbs, and even bark.

This is not at all connected with the fact that puppies dream, but with a reaction to muscle growth and development. At this age, their movements are limited, and sleep replenishes the muscles' need for movement. Therefore, it is quite appropriate to say here that suckling puppies actually grow in their sleep.

As the puppy grows and develops, the ratio of sleep and wakefulness gradually levels out. Typical dynamics for a 1-2 month old puppy: awakening, toilet, feeding, toilet, active period (playing with peers, mother, breeder, exploring the world), toilet, sleep. The duration of sleep may vary depending on the conditions and frequency of feedings. From physical condition puppy - there are stronger and weaker puppies.

When a puppy appears in the house, the owner somehow adapts to his regime. The longest sleep is at night, on average 5–6 hours for a puppy 2–3 months old. Second longest - nap, on average 3–4 hours. This is due to the fact that the puppy’s peak activity usually occurs in the morning and evening. Most owners find this mode convenient because at this time the puppy can be left alone for a short time.

The older the puppy gets, the less he sleeps and the longer he stays awake. A growing body requires more and more activity. The fast metabolism of a developing puppy provides him with a large supply of energy that needs to be expended. By falling asleep even for a short time, a puppy or young dog quickly regains strength, so sometimes the owner gets the impression that the puppy does not sleep at all or sleeps very little. But this is no cause for concern.

An active, cheerful and energetic puppy who spends less of his time sleeping by the age of one year is not a reason to sound the alarm. It is much worse if a recently playful pet becomes lethargic, apathetic and spends most of its time sleeping.

Even a not very observant owner will notice that something is wrong with the puppy. Anyone can tell the difference between a healthy and active puppy, who plays pranks and gives no rest to anyone, from a lethargic dormouse.

The first and not the most alarming reason such a change in behavior is the weather. Animals, including dogs, are sensitive to weather changes - increases and decreases in pressure, bad weather, increased wind, even if they are in the house. But, having noticed signs of lethargy and drowsiness, you should not calm down and attribute everything to the puppy’s weather sensitivity.

It is advisable to measure his temperature - this is the first thing to do when noticing any changes in the dog's behavior. If the temperature is elevated, this is a good reason to consult a doctor. If there is no temperature, then you need to observe the puppy for 24 hours, continuing to measure the temperature every 4 hours.