How Much Sleep Is Healthy For Your Pet

Some owners have dogs that never seem to lie down and take a nap, while other owners have dogs that never wake up. There are guidelines for how much sleep humans should get, so are there guidelines for dogs? The amount of sleep your dog needs depends on, well, your dog.

Do you remember bringing home that small puppy for the first time? More than likely, he had not developed a set sleep pattern. Instead, he might have woken up in the middle of the night and tried to play with you. Dogs are descendent's of wolves. Wolves have nocturnal tendencies, so it’s fair to assume that the tendencies are still naturally part of your puppy. Until your puppy assimilated to his environment, he may have carried such a tendency.

If you search the Internet, you will find numerous articles all claiming that dogs should sleep this many hours or that many hours per day. Basically, if you think your dog should sleep eight hours or eighteen hours, you can find a pet article to back your beliefs. So, with this multitude of information, how do you know how much sleep your pooch should really get? Some experts suggest letting your pooch decide.

If you really want to know how much your dog sleeps, then take the time to figure it out. One day when you have free time at home, such as a weekend or a day off, monitor your pet’s sleeping habits. Do not change any part of his routine; if he eats at a certain time or goes out to exercise at a certain time, then follow his schedule. By watching your pooch for a day, you can estimate how much sleep he is getting. You can only assume that he is receiving the amount of sleep he needs. If anything, now you know how much time he spends with his eyes closed.

Remember that there is a difference among sleep, laziness, and a health problem. Dogs nap throughout the day, so it’s not uncommon for him to be curled up in his bed when you get home from work. If you have a perfectly healthy dog that gets plenty of exercise, let him sleep as much as he wants! However, if your dog is inactive, then his large amounts of sleep could be considered laziness. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise. Thirty to forty minutes a day is preferred; although, it all depends on the rigor of the exercise. If your pooch is overweight, then it is important that you talk to your veterinarian and start a healthy diet and exercise program. If your dog has suddenly become inactive, then this could be a sign of a health problem. Normal, healthy dogs do not suddenly become lazy. Watch for other signs such as changes in amounts and frequency of eating and urination. If your dog is inactive more than one or two days, then take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible. On the flip side, a dog that never sleeps can also constitute a trip to the vet.

As dogs get older, they tend to sleep more often. Sometimes, the pain from arthritis causes them to stay in one spot for a longer period of time. Whether you have a puppy or an aging dog, you should provide a clean, comfortable resting spot (or multiple spots for an older dog) throughout your home. Have a comfortable dog bed in the area where your pooch spends most of the night. Soften it with extra padding. If your pet requires more relief than look into orthopedic dog beds. If there are other areas in your home where you or your family spends a lot of time, make sure there is a spot for your pooch there, too. Dogs enjoy company, so more than likely they will follow you or be in the same room as you. There is no reason he shouldn’t have a comfortable place to lie. Also you may want to consider a pet ramp to make moving around easier for your pooch without the aches and pains.

A napping dog is normal. How much your dog sleeps should not be the concern; instead, you should make sure that sleeping is part of his day and is not caused by other problems. Remember that your dog will slow down as he ages, so it’s important that you provide him with comfortable places to relax. As long as your pooch is healthy and exercises often, there is no reason to be worried about his sleeping habits.