If you are a dog owner then you may find your dog's sleeping patterns to be very odd. Not only do they sleep for long hours, but they also take a few naps in between this time as well. Some owners may even find that they are a bit jealous of how much time their furry little buddy spends lounging around. However, have you ever considered how many hours your dog sleeps and if they are getting enough rest? Well, you're in luck.
In this articles we will discuss the average amount of time your dog should sleep and how this differs from breed to breed. We will also talk about the different stages of sleep as well as how you can create an optimal environment for them to rest in.
Sleeping and the Average Time
For the most part, veterinarians and other specialists are unsure as to why dogs tend to sleep as much as they do. However, what we do know is that sleep is a form of restoration and most dogs spend at least 14 hours per day sleeping. And the good news is that they can adapt to whatever routine that you set for them.
Different breeds will have tremendously different needs when it comes to how much rest they need each day. For example, the larger breeds such as mastiffs, Saint Bernards, great Pyrenees as well as Newfoundlands will generally need more than the recommended 14 hours a day. These particular breeds are sometimes referred to as the "mat dogs" because they rest so much. They usually need to get at least 18 hours a day of sleep every day.
While most dogs can get by on just 14 hours each day, puppies need a little more sleep time. This is because they are constantly growing and taking in all of the information around them. On average, puppies need from 18 to 20 hours a day in order to recharge. Sleep will allow the puppy's brain to process everything that they have learned from their new internment.
Stages of Sleep
Dogs are a lot like human beings in that they tend to go through several different sleep cycles and phases. When your dog begins to fall asleep, they will enter the quiet phase, or slow wave, of sleep. This is the point in which his or her body temperature will begin to drop and their heart rate will start to decrease. At this stage your dog becomes completely relaxed. About 10 minutes or so later, he will start REM, also known as the rapid eye movement phase. You can often tell when this phase as he or she will begin to move their limbs around--sometimes as if they are attempting to run.
Creating an Environment
When it comes to feeling at home, dogs tend to carry on the tradition of their ancestors, who lived in the wild. Dogs are known to be den animals. This means that the place they feel most comfortable in is one that resembles a cozy den. That's why many dogs enjoy tight, enclosed spaces like underneath the bed, under your desk or inside your closet. They are always on the hunt for a place that they can call their own. That's why providing your dog a suitable bed is one of best things you can do for it.
And it's important that you do your best to create environments like this if you want to ensure that your dog gets the proper amount of rest. Find a bed that is just big enough for your dog to comfortably sleep on and stretch out.
The main goal should be make sure that your dog sleeps according to the schedule you set. You'll know that your dog has the perfect sleep environment when you see them pawing at the area or moving in circles. This is their way of marking their territory when the bedding is just right.
As you can see, there are a couple of different factors that affect how much sleep your dog needs during the day. However, large breeds and new puppies tend to need the most rest out of all of their species. On average, a healthy dog should get between 14 to 18 hours of sleep each day. And by setting the perfect environment, you can help to ensure consistency in their routine. You can also check out this post with a cool info-graphic about dogs' sleep.