Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

How much sleep do dogs require?

Just like humans, dogs need the correct amount of sleep to function and learn and thrive at their best. Adult dogs need between 14––––18 hours of sleep per day; puppies and senior dogs require much more.

Whereas humans go to bed and stay put (hopefully for eight hours or so), dogs are polyphasic sleepers, which means they have multiple periods of sleep throughout the day. Another big difference is that, unlike us, dogs prefer sleeping in various locations and like to move around to different spots, so it’s important for them to have choices when it comes to where they can sleep.

How do dogs achieve quality sleep?

Dog are social sleepers and like to be close to others, whether dog or human. Sleeping alone is unnatural for them and will cause them to be on constant alert, keeping them from getting a proper, restful sleep—something especially important to remember for puppies. If you do not want your dog sleeping in your bed, at least allow them to be in the same room with you at night. This will ensure your dog is getting proper sleep, which is especially important for puppies and new rescues, who are already feeling insecure.

Different kinds of sleep

You may notice your dog sleeping in a curled-up position—this is known as slow wave sleep or brain sleep. Slow wave sleep allows the busy brain to cool down and cells to be repaired and regenerated.

When you see your dog completely stretched out, this is known as REM sleep. It is during the REM cycle that they replay the activities of the day (I’m sure you have observed your dog twitching, moving, or even running while asleep).

A dog’s brain requires a minimum of 11 hours of sleep per day in order to remain healthy. Without quality sleep, your dog can end up chronically stressed, resulting in decreased brain cells, which are needed for learning new things, staying focused, and being social.

The bottom line is, when it comes to your dog’s sleep, both quality and quantity directly affect their mental and physical health.