Sleeping is one of our dogs’ favorites activities, and as such, they spend a lot of time doing it. In fact, what is your pup doing while you read this article? Probably sleeping... (I know mine is!). However, watching our dogs sleep almost the entire day makes us wonder: Why do dogs sleep so much?
Why do dogs sleep so much?
Let’s start by saying that dogs sleep a lot more than humans. While we sleep between 6 and 8 hours a day, dogs tend to sleep approximately between 12 to 14 hours. Yes, that’s more than 50% of their day. However, dogs don’t sleep as deeply as we do, so we may assume they are napping when in reality, they are just closing their eyes. Besides, there can be other factors involved in the sleep equation:
Size: This is a very important thing to take into account. Large dog breeds nap more often because they need to do an extra effort to move around, hence they get tired more easily. Besides, they spend more energy and require more metabolic energy to keep their bodies active.
Age: Naturally, the energy levels of puppies and senior dogs are notoriously lower than the energy of adult dogs. Puppies are similar to babies, so they need to sleep almost all day long. Seniors, on the other hand, spend more time sleeping because they have little energy and their joint mobility might be reduced. In those cases, you can give him our Hemp Glucosamine Chews which provide joint and hip support with anti-inflammatory effects.
If you notice your dog is sleeping more than usual, you should contact your vet to rule out any health conditions.
Breed: Even though all dogs sleep a lot, some breeds are lazier than others. Chow-chows, French Bulldogs, Mastiffs, Pekingese, and Great Danes are some of the dog breeds that love taking a nap in the middle of the day. You can read more about lazy calm dogs in our blog.
Level of activity: Some dogs go to sleep because they are simply bored. Lack of physical and mental stimulation can cause depression and some other severe conditions. Make sure to keep your dog entertained and stimulated through long walks, new toys, and brain games!
Now you know: if you see your dog taking a nap in the middle of the day, go and join him! 😊
