How Much Sleep Does a Dog Need?

We all know that dogs love a good nap!  They can snooze at any moment’s notice, especially if they have had an active day.  It is important to realize that their sleep looks different than our own, although we do share some of the same functions.  How many hours of sleep do dogs truly need though?  Research has shown that most adult dogs sleep from about 8 to 13.5 hours per day.  If you compare that to humans, it is significantly different!

Keep in mind that dogs spend most of their time sleeping at night with an average of 4 hours of napping throughout the day.  Sleep needs will change as dogs become older.  While humans spend most of their waking hours awake and alert, dogs spend about 5 hours of their day in “rest” mode.  If you notice that your dog is awake, they may actually be “drowsy”.  We cannot stress enough that this relaxed state is extremely important to a dog’s overall health.  Much like humans, the more sleep that dogs get, the better their immune systems.

Dogs who sleep well are better adjusted and more stable emotionally.  On the other hand, dogs who lack sleep are prone to be stressed, anxious and even aggressive.  Unfortunately, dogs cannot turn to coffee like us humans can!  An interesting fact is that dogs learn while they are sleeping.  Their architecture changes the amount of time they spend in REM vs. non-REM sleep.  Do not forget about the physical aspects though!  Proper sleep yields in adequate tissue repair.  Their bodies need to rest and recover, much like ours!

Many people are working from home now due to the changes of the world with Coronavirus.  This has put a damper on dog’s sleeping schedules as their owners home more often than before.  We recommend that you find creative ways to give your dog the space and sleep that they deserve.  Look into a co-work or library space to visit throughout the day. Otherwise, you could work in a completely separate room which will allow your dog the rest that they need!