How much sleep does your dog need?

If you had to take a guess at what your dog is doing right now, chances are it’s sleeping! Dog experts and scientists aren’t sure exactly why dogs dose so much, but it is typically how they spend at least half of their day.

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On Jan 24, 2017
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How much time does your dog actually spend on his Wild Manor dog bed?

If you had to take a guess at what your dog is doing right now, chances are it’s sleeping! Dog experts and scientists aren’t sure exactly why dogs dose so much, but it is typically how they spend at least half of their day.

Unlike humans who generally stay awake all day and then sleep for one long period, spending as much as 25% of their sleep in rapid eye movement, dogs shorter sleep stints mean that just about 10% of their sleep is of the same quality – therefore they need more total sleep in order to get enough of the restorative kind their bodies need.

How much sleep is normal?
The average dog sleeps for about 12 to 14 hours per day. But that is just the the start of it! Puppies, who expend a lot of energy exploring and learning may need as much as 18 to 20 hours. Older dogs also tend to need more rest, as do certain breeds. Technically, both small and large breeds can be long sleepers, but it tends to be the big guys, like Newfoundlands, Mastiffs, St. Bernards, and Great Pyrenees that have the earned the reputation for being the laziest canines!

A (typical) dog’s day
Dogs often spend 50 percent of the day sleeping, 30 percent lying around awake, and just 20 percent being active. But unlike humans, who typically sleep when routine allows, dogs are flexible sleepers: they can easily jump up at the first sign of action (like when the postman calls) and sleep when they’re bored. Dogs also sleep less when they have more to do. Working dogs, like police or farm dogs, sleep less than those that have little more to do than sit around a house all day.

When should I be concerned?
While there can be a lot of variability in dogs’ sleeping habits, the one thing to keep an eye out for is a dramatic change. If your usually active dog is suddenly sleeping all the time - or the opposite - it’s never bad idea to pop along to your vet to check that your dog isn’t experiencing any health problems. The answer could be something as simple as tweaking his diet, or as complex as treating a heart condition or thyroid problem.

A comfortable bed 
As your dog spends so much time resting, it's only fair to give him a high quality dog bed that will enable him to sleep in comfort. Memory foam dog loungers offer great orthopedic benefits for dogs suffering from arthritic joints or dogs recovering from surgery. Dog pillow beds made from heavy duty fabric and are extremely durable and comfy. Or if you think your dog would appreciate a bed that he won't fail to recognise as his own, why not personalise his bed with an image of none other than him!
 

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