30
Dec
For a new rescue dog this is pretty normal. Your lifestyle can affect your dogs sleeping habits.
If your dog is having an issue with one of its organs they may suddenly sleep more than usual.
Why my dog is sleeping too much. 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.
Since they dont have smartphones jobs or homework sleeping is generally the best way to spend long tedious hours. 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. Below youll find a list of the most common illnesses which cause your dog to sleep too much. If it seems that your dog sick and is sleeping a lot its probably one of these issues causing it.
The thyroid is a gland in the body which produces hormones that are essential for maintaining a normal working metabolism. On the opposite end of the spectrum very large breeds like Mastiffs and Great Danes also spend more time sleeping. Their bodies require so much energy to function properly so their sleep is extremely important.
Your lifestyle can affect your dogs sleeping habits. If you keep your dog very active they will likely sleep more. One theory is dogs do not sleep deeply and therefore require more time to be spent at rest.
Most dogs are easily roused at the sound of the mail truck or other excitable sounds. Most dogs cant get too much sleep but if you are worried your dog is sleeping too much or acting lethargic there are a few things you can do. An increase in sleep could mean your dog is suffering from low-grade pain such as arthritis.
Another cause of their drowsiness could be due to hormonal problems like under-active thyroid glands. An overweight or obese dog will also spend more time sleeping due to. A dog thats lethargic due to illness is different from one that just enjoys sleeping.
If your dog simply sleeps a lot that is not necessarily abnormal says Liff. Though if your dog starts to sleep more than normal that can be a cause for concern Another cause for concern is if your pet is unable to get comfortable. This could indicate possible orthopedic issues or respiratory distress.
A dog sleeping more than usual may be due to a psychological problem. If a dog sleeps a lot and lacks motivation for normal activity we should consider the possibility they are depressed. It is very important to first rule out an underlying physical cause as a lack of intervention could be life threatening.
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. Sleeping in different places.
For instance you may find your senior dog has begun sleeping in closets. Being reluctant to curl up to fall asleep or sleeping while sitting up or standing. Instead they nap for a few hours every day during both day and night.
If it seems like your dog is sleeping a lot it may simply be that you are catching him or her when they are napping. They may be more awake when youre sleeping when youre at work or when youre otherwise occupied. For a new rescue dog this is pretty normal.
Letting your dog share your bed could interrupt your sleep. If your dog isnt house trained is new to your home or either of you has health issues it might be better for him to sleep in another room or on his own bed. If youre a light sleeper it might be better to sleep without your dog as well.
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.
It can come as a surprise to new owners just how much a dog sleeps. Similarly sleep problems can be missed if owners do not know how much sleep a healthy dog needs. The average dog will sleep between 12-14 hours a day.
This is generally made up of day-time naps and overnight sleep. Puppies need even longer typically sleeping 18-20 hours a day. Dogs have different body chemistry than humans which requires them to sleep much more some dogs may sleep close to 18 hours a day.
While excessive sleeping is the norm in many dogs there may be a few situations where an overly tired dog can mean that your pet is sick so read on to learn more. If your dog is having an issue with one of its organs they may suddenly sleep more than usual. Dogs suffering from organ issues like kidney heart or liver disease may be in pain.
Dogs in pain tend to sleep more often. Why is my dog drooling so much suddenly. Its natural for dogs to salivate in response to stimulation but an overproduction of saliva could be the sign of a health problem.
Salivary problems in dogs can be caused by anxiety travel sickness a blockedsore throat oral hygiene teething heatstroke and irritation of the mouth. Why is my puppy sleeping so much. Puppies sleep a lot and it is normal behavior for them to sleep between 18 to 20 hours a day.
Some puppies will also start sleeping more than usual at certain points in their development and growth so most of the time sleeping too much isnt an issue.