Why is my old dog sleeping so much

Dont miss our vet-approved pet care tips. Older dogs may start to rest more because their bodies are not as strong as they once were just like people.

Thats because their bodies need more time to rest and recover from all the extra activity.

Why is my old dog sleeping so much. Why old dogs sleep so much. Mon Dec 21 2020 1056 AM. Thats all part of the normal aging process according to the AKC Canine Health Foundation which explains that as your dog gets older he or she is likely to sleep even more hours per day.

Tue Dec 22 2020 1259 PM. Can dogs sleep. Stress Anxiety and Boredom.

A dog that is going through psychological difficulties such as anxiety stress and boredom would sleep a lot. If your dog is stressed or feeling anxious you will notice them becoming lethargic and they will doze off often. Keep track of any environmental factors that could be influencing your dogs sleep patterns.

For example a recent move may be causing your dog to experience interrupted sleep which could lead to tiredness during the day. Too much exercise not enough food climate and temperature can cause a dog to require more sleep. Older dogs are tired out faster from day-to-day living simply due to the natural aging process.

While the specifics have yet to be studied large-breed dogs may also sleep more compared to smaller-breed dogs and working-breed dogs which tend to be more alert and energetic says Barrack. Dont miss our vet-approved pet care tips. Age is a HUGE contributor to how much a dog sleeps.

As mentioned puppies can sleep most of the day away. Older dogs tend to revert back to their puppy days. Senior dogs sleep on average 16 to 18 hours a day as well.

A Sign of Old Age. A dog thats sleeping a lot more and not eating simply could just be going through changes related to aging. Metabolism slows down as a dog gets older and this could lead your dog to sleep more often instead of being active and playing.

Aging brings physical changes that affect appetite and your dog will be eating less as he gets older. Dogs like humans are much more likely to develop cancer as they get older. Similar to cognitive dysfunction fifty percent of dogs over ten years old will develop cancer at some point in their lifetime.

Its a disease thats most easily treated when caught early so youll want to be on the lookout for lumps tumors lameness and. What could too much sleep signal. If your dog is sleeping too much it could be a sign that your dog is dealing with some pain.

If a dog doesnt feel good it could retreat and spend more time sleeping trying not to make the pain worse. Take your dog to the vet to rule out common causes of pain such as arthritis or chronic illnesses. Your vet can be an essential part of your future plans helping you decide if your dogs behavior is out of the.

If your dog has kidney failure it can cause lethargy and over-sleeping. You might also notice increased drinking and urination appetite loss weight loss vomiting or blood in the urine. Some dogs with kidney problems also have a chemical smell to their breath and may stumble when walking.

How much your dog sleeps will depend on a variety of factors. Puppies and older dogs will likely spend more of their time asleep. Overweight and sick dogs may also sleep more than healthy dogs.

Certain breeds are predisposed towards sleeping more ask someone whos owned both a lazy Bernese Mountain Dog and a working-line Border Collie. Older dogs may start to rest more because their bodies are not as strong as they once were just like people. Experts estimate that adult dogs sleep about 12.

Some of the big ones in older dogs are hypothyroidism an underactive thyroid heart disease and arthritis. If you notice that your dog is sleeping more than normal keep a sleep log and make an appointment with your vet. Age is one of the main factors in how much your dog will sleep.

When your dog is a puppy they play hard and sleep hard. Older dogs also tend to need more rest. Large breeds like mastiffs St.

Bernards and Great Pyrenees dogs may also clock more zzz s. Both puppies and older dogs need more sleep than the average adult pooch. Thats because their bodies need more time to rest and recover from all the extra activity.

They need to eat a lot more too Puppyhood is the most active time in your dogs life. As they age dogs can naturally sleep more but again if theyre sleeping excessively it can be an indication that they have a health problem. These dogs may have an underactive thyroid gland which can slow down their metabolism.

They will usually gain weight and will generally act more sluggish.