The short answer is 9 -14 hours for most dogs but it can be more depending on your dog’s age and breed. This timeframe includes naps throughout the day and sleeping at night. If your dog isn’t getting enough or too much sleep, we’ll explain why this occurs and what you can do to get your dog on a healthy sleep schedule.
Why Do Dogs Need So Much Sleep?
Physical activity and age are contributing factors in how much your dog naps and sleeps during the day. Dogs only spend about 20% of their day being active, but high-energy activities will motivate naps for recovery. And puppies and senior dogs will especially need more sleep after spurts of vigorous physical exercise.
Age affects your dog’s sleep needs. When your dog is a puppy, they need more rest to help their bodies grow and develop. Older, more senior dogs need more rest to recover from physical activity or because they suffer from mobility issues such as joint pain or arthritis.
Do Certain Dog Breeds Need More Sleep?
Your dog’s breed heavily influences how much sleep your dog actually needs. Working dog breeds don’t need as much sleep as other breeds because they are made for vigorous physical activities. But many large breed dogs require more sleep because they expend more metabolic energy and need more sleep for recovery.
Then you have flat-faced dog breeds that need more sleep because they can suffer from sleep apnea. If your dog snores loudly, it may be a sign of sleep apnea. To help alleviate your dog’s sleep apnea, you can use a humidifier where they sleep. These flat-faced breeds that are more susceptible to sleep apnea include:
- Pugs
- Boston Terriers
- English Bulldogs
How Much Sleep Do Dogs Need by Age?
While the average dog needs to sleep between 12-14 hours each day, some dogs may need more sleep depending on their age:
- Puppies: Need to sleep between 18 -20 each day to help them grow and develop.
- Adult dogs: Need to sleep between 12-14 hours each day to maintain health and recover from daily activities.
- Senior dogs: Need to sleep between 12-14 hours each day but may often sleep from 16-18 hours a day because of mobility issues, obesity, or they’re too tired after physical stimulation. This is particularly true for dogs over six years old and older larger breeds.
