- Dogs sleep around nine to 14 hours in a 24 hour period — but this could vary.
- Older dogs, dogs that are bigger in size, and more active dogs need more sleep.
It may seem like your dog spends all their time snoozing and it may not be that far off. In fact, dogs can sleep for up to 14 hours per day, depending on their age and breed.
Your dog will usually sleep while you're sleeping, but they tend to add extra daytime naps because of key differences in their sleep cycles.
Here's why dogs sleep so much and how to know if your dog's sleep is abnormal.
How long do dogs sleep in 24 hours?
On average, dogs sleep for about 10 hours each day, "but the range is nine to 14 hours per day," says Lara Sypniewski, DVM, a professor of small animal medicine at Oklahoma State University.
Just like humans, dogs are diurnal animals — "this means they are active during the day and sleep at night," Sypniewski says.
Domestic dogs also tend to sync their sleep with human sleep patterns, meaning that your dog will usually sleep at night while you sleep.
"This is thought to have evolved over time as dogs were brought into households and kept as pets," says Alison Meindl, DVM, a veterinarian, and professor at Colorado State University.
There are a few factors that can affect exactly how much your dog sleeps:
- Older dogs generally sleep more — about 16 to 18 hours per day — because they're more easily tired out. They may also have a more interrupted sleep cycle — sleeping more during the day and waking more often at night.
- Larger dogs tend to sleep more hours per day than smaller breeds.
- Dogs that are more active during the day tend to fall asleep earlier and sleep for longer.
- Puppies tend to be extremely active while they're awake, so they need more hours of sleep to recharge. Puppies can sleep as many as 18 to 20 hours per day, though this number starts to decrease after four months of age.
Why do dogs sleep so much?
Humans often spend at least 16 hours in a row awake — but "unlike humans, dogs rarely have long consolidated periods of wakefulness during the day," Sypniewski says.
Instead, they are polyphasic sleepers, which means that they nap several times throughout the day in between their more active periods.
The reason may have to do with how much REM (rapid eye movement) sleep they get.
Medical term: REM is the deep, restorative stage of sleep. Like humans, dogs need REM sleep in order to learn and retain memories.
Due to their irregular sleep patterns, dogs only spend about 10% of the time they're asleep in REM compared to humans who spend about 25% of sleep time in REM.
As a result, dogs may need to compensate by sleeping more hours during the day.
Signs that your dog's sleep is abnormal
Like humans, "dogs can exhibit various sleep disorders," Meindl says, including:
- Sleep apnea
- Narcolepsy
- Sleep-wake cycle disturbances
Dog breeds with a shortened snout, like Cavalier King Charles spaniels and English bulldogs, are already prone to breathing issues thereby increasing their risk for sleep breathing disorders like sleep apnea, too.
"It is associated with loud snoring, daytime drowsiness, and sluggishness," Sypniewski says.
In some cases, your dog's sleep abnormalities may be minor and don't pose a
But "if you notice that there has been an increase or decrease in the amount of time your dog is sleeping or your dog is exhibiting abnormal behaviors while sleeping, this could be an indication that something is wrong and your dog should be evaluated by a veterinarian," says Meindl.
Sypniewski advises that dog owners should look out for excessive:
- Snoring
- Waking up from sleep
- Violent movements during sleep
- Restlessness before bed
- Urination during sleep
How to help your dog get great sleep
"It is essential that dogs get restful sleep, just like humans," Sypniewski says. Some quick tips to help your dog get their best sleep include:
- Give them predictable nighttime routines like going to bed at a similar time each night
- Offer comfortable sleep options like a dog bed
- Make sure your dog gets regular exercise and outdoor time during the day
- Take them out to use the bathroom before going to bed
- Keep the bedroom dark and at a comfortable temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit
Insider's takeaway
If your dog naps during the daytime, it's probably normal — dogs can sleep up to 14 hours per day.
"If you are concerned about the amount of time your dog spends sleeping or the way they act when they are asleep, your dog should be evaluated by their veterinarian," Meindl says.