Why do dogs sleep so much?
76Dogs really know how to sleep, they sleep a lot! Did you know that most dogs spend more that fifty percent of their day sleeping? Basically, dogs would sleep from 12 to 14 hours a day but some breeds are known to sleep more. The sleeping behavior of the dog depends on a lot of factors. The age, the personality, the breed as well as the activity of the dog counts a lot for the number of hours spent sleeping.
- Sarah's Dogs
Want to know more about dogs, behaviour and history. Then this is the right place for you. - Why do dogs sleep so much?
Learn more about why dogs need so much sleep.
Sleeping dogs
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Reasons why dogs sleep a lot
Generally, dogs sleep a lot when they do not have anything else to do. Oftentimes these dogs are left leashed alone in the yard and the family would see the dog only during meal times. Dogs that are left alone at home all day are also known to sleep a lot. Humans would do this too when there is nothing better to do.
The sleeping nook of the dog
The place where the dog sleep also counts a lot on the number of hours spent sleeping. Primitive animals used to sleep in dens and on the forest floor. Some are known to bed on snow. These primitive dogs would trample the vegetation and the snow to make the bed comfortable. Domesticated and pampered dogs are given a comfortable and peaceful place where they can sleep. Most often they have blankets or a padded crate or dog bed to sleep on. Some are even allowed to sleep on the master's bed. The comfortable bed and the ideal temperature make the dog sleep soundly for a much longer time.
The notion that the dog would sleep any where is a misconception. Even primitive dogs have to choose where they are going to sleep. Alpha dogs always choose a higher place to sleep on. Domesticated dogs that don't have a dog bed would sleep under the strains, under the tables or on the couch. Sleeping in these chosen places gives the dog security.
How do dogs sleep?
Just like humans, dogs have the slow wave sleep (SWS) phase and the rapid eye movement (REM) phase. The dog is on the SWS phase when it is very still and breaths deeply. When the dog is jerking the leg and rolling the eyes under closed lids the dog sleeping deeply and under the REM phase.
Commonly, puppies sleep together. A dog trying to conserve body heat curls its body to sleep. A tightly curled body means that the dog is not sleeping, as to sleep the dog must be relaxed. A dog that sleeps on its back with the feet up is not clowning and making you laugh. The dog is trying to cool the body since the stomach is not covered with dense hair.
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Comments
Jackinabox, what a great hub you have here. My Bulldog sleeps a ton and I was looking for answers.
Both my dogs tend to sleep a lot. Mine are spoiled and are allowed to sleep in the bed, until i go to bed, then they must get down.
My dog sleeps a lot too.
My dog is small and she curls up alot when she sleeps, does that mean she is always cold. i just thougt she did that alot because she is small. she sometimes stretches out but the doggie bed my mother got for her is shaped like a oval and the perfect place for her to curl, does this mean she cant sleep well in it? just curious...
Curling up while sleeping does not always mean that a dog is cold. Sometimes dogs like to curl up because it makes them feel more safe.
Having an oval shaped dog bed does not necessarily mean that your dog will not be able to have a good nights sleep in it. If the bed is large enough it will not be a problem. A rule of thumb is to measure your dogs length in its normal sleeping position and add at least another 9 inches.
brad4l says:
13 months ago
My dog sleeps a lot and interesting to hear an explanation of why they sleep so much. I don't let my dog into the bed, but I do let her onto the couch and recliner, so she usually sleeps there. She makes a little nook out of the blankets.