Do You Know Why Dogs Sleep So Much?

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Does it seem like every time you turn around your dog is sleeping? This is not an uncommon complaint of many pet parents. But do you know why dogs sleep so much? Take a look at these scientific reasons behind all that snoozing.

A Dog's REM Sleep

We humans generally get around 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night, while our dogs can sleep anywhere from 14 to 18 hours each day. During this time we will spend about 25% of that in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) whereas our pooches only get about 10% REM sleep. This is mainly due to the fact that dogs are flexible sleepers (popping up whenever there's action or food) so they are not able to achieve the REM-state.

Why is this a big deal? Just as humans benefit from a deep sleep, so do our canine companions. REM sleep provides our dogs with melatonin (hormone) which strengthens its cells and boosts its immune system. REM sleep also lowers the release of stress hormones and helps restore energy.

Puppies and Seniors Need More Sleep

You may have noticed that puppies can go for short spurts of activity, then conk out and be dead asleep. This is due to the fact that puppies expend a lot of energy for their young age and therefore need more sleep; about 18 to 20 hours each day.

Senior dogs will also sleep more. This could be due to aching joints and the fact that older animals (and people) simply do not have the energy levels they once did.

Sleep is oftentimes also breed-specific. Small dogs need less sleep than the bigger breeds.

When Too Much Sleep Is Not Good

If your dog is sleeping a lot more than usual and has been exhibiting other strange behaviours, then you may have a problem. Dogs that are oversleeping may have developed:

●     Depression; a chemical imbalance or a result of a stressful situation (death of a companion, a sudden move etc.)

●     Hypothyroidism: a medical condition when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones. 

●     Diabetes; not enough production of insulin in the dog's body to regulate its blood sugar levels.

●     Infectious Diseases; some infectious diseases can cause sleepiness.

Be sure to get your dog to a veterinarian immediately if you suspect any of these ailments.

Now that we've answered the question of why dogs sleep so much, allow your pooch the rest he deserves and desires. Just like the old saying states; "let sleeping dogs lie..."