How Long Should Dogs Doze Off Per Day?

Canine animals go to sleep about 13 hrs per day, though some breeds may snooze as much as 18 hours per day. It is important to note that dogs wake up more frequently than we do. Therefore even though it appears your dog is sleeping excessively, there are far more disturbances to their sleep than you know.

Dogs experience sleep conditions very similar to humans with slow wave sleep and rapid eye motion (REM) sleep. The first sleep phase is the slow wave sleep that happens for the first 10 or so minutes of sleep. During this time your dog's breathing slows and blood pressure and heart rate drops. Following this beginning stage your dog moves into the REM stage of sleep. During REM you may become aware of your dog quietly barking or whimpering and jerking their legs. Your dog's brain activity at this point is very similar to the activity observed when humans dream. Perhaps this why we naturally say that our dogs do dream.

Several issues have an impact on the amount of time your dog sleeps.

1. Your dog's breed - Different breeds prefer completely different quantities of slumber

2. Physical exercise levels - significantly active dogs such as a working dog will sleep less than a dog who lives as the family pet at home.

3. Boredom - If a dog is bored it is more likely to sleep than one who is very interested in something going on. Surprisingly they know when to be attentive and be conscious of their surrounding area. They appear to have a sixth sense when it comes to this but also respond to certain auditory stimulus such as the family car coming home.

4. Age - Older pooches will sleep more that younger pooches.

5. Medication/Bad Health - If a dog is ill, depressed or on medication, they will have a tendency to sleep so much more.

6. Surroundings - noisy and uncomfortable environments will result in the dog sleeping less than if the conditions are peaceful and soothing

The most paramount thing pertaining to your dog's sleep habits, is to determine what is routine for your dog. Once you are aware of what constitutes routine, you can become aware of any variations to length of sleep, time of sleep and lack of reaction to stimulation that typically wakes your dog. If you become mindful of any variations it may be prudent to make an appointment with your neighborhood vet, to eliminate the probability of any foundational health conditions that may need treating.

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