Like humans, dogs need to get the proper amount of sleep to have a healthy life. Dogs are polyphasic sleepers, meaning their sleep schedules include more than 2 sleeping periods a day. On average, a healthy adult dog sleeps 10 hours a day. This number varies between age – puppies and senior dogs sleep more than average dog. Size and type of dog effects sleep too, with larger breeds and working dogs needing more sleep.
Proper sleep for dogs help:
-cognitive functions
-immune system
-proper growth in puppies
-emotional stability
Signs that your dog is not getting enough sleep:
-irritable/reactive
-aggression
-barking
-forgetful/inability to recall basic commands
-sleepy
-disoriented
-restless and attention seeking
It is possible for dogs to have sleep disorders. These can include narcolepsy, sleep apnea (especially common in snub-nosed dogs), REM sleep disorder, and canine cognitive dysfunction. If you think your dog has troubles, speak with your vet.
Just like humans, it is ideal that you develop a sleep routine for your pup to ensure a good rest. Provide a bed that is comfortable, exercise your dog based on their needs to ensure their energy is spent and when they are sleeping, let them sleep!
