For many of us, bringing home a new puppy is just as exciting and joyful as doing so with a newborn. Are you curious as to why your puppy is sleeping so much? In most cases, the answer is probably no. Puppies typically sleep 18 to 20 hours per day, but they can sometimes sleep more or less than that. However, a number of illnesses in puppies can result in lethargy, which can make your puppy sleep longer than usual. Here, we are going to talk about the reason why your puppy sleep so much and how to solve it.
The Science Of Puppy Sleep
Your puppy’s development depends on sleep. They develop incredibly quickly at this age, are constantly exposed to new sounds, sights, and smells, and play nonstop throughout the day. They require sleep to replenish their energy, think through the new information they are taking in, and other things.
Although research into the many advantages and functions of sleep is ongoing, it is thought that sleep:
- Provides energy to brain and body
- Contributes to a healthy immune system
- Balances appetites
- Releases hormones, including hormones essential to growth and development
All of this is true for both you and your puppy, and just as young children need more sleep than their parents do, so do puppies.
How Much Do Puppies Sleep
Puppies require more sleep than adult dogs do, similar to how infants do in humans. Depending on factors like age and activity level, adult dogs sleep between 10 and 14 hours per day. Puppies require even more sleep, sleeping an average of 16 hours per day, with very young puppies sleeping as much as 20 hours per day.
Similar to how sleep-deprived humans become, so can dogs and puppies who don’t get enough sleep. This may result in behavioral problems like irritability, aggression, and frustration. Because of this, when we don’t get the recommended amount of sleep, we can all become a little touchy.
Signs Your Puppy Is Sleeping Too Much
Keeping an eye on your puppy while they are awake is the best way to determine if they are getting the recommended amount of sleep.
If they are cheerful, bouncy, and playful when they are awake, they are probably okay.
However, if they appear listless or uninterested while awake, it might be time to consult your veterinarian.
PitPat can be useful if you need to keep an eye on your puppy’s activity and sleep patterns. Using our dog activity monitor, you can see how much time your pet has spent playing, walking, running, and generally being a dog.
You can also see how much sleep your dog is getting, which is indicated by the amount of time they spend dozing off.
Why Is My Puppy Sleeping Too Much
Puppies sleep a lot, which is typical, but what if your puppy is sleeping more than usual? This might happen because your puppy’s activity level has changed. Your puppy may sleep the rest of the day or even more than usual the following day if he had a strenuous outing in the park or a tense trip to the vet.
If your puppy’s regular sleeping pattern has been disturbed, such as by going to bed later at night or having more visitors over during the time he usually naps, your puppy may also sleep more than usual. When he is able to get uninterrupted rest, your puppy may sleep longer thanks to this.
Is It Possible For A Puppy To Sleep Too Much
No, is the shortest response. Young puppies require between 18 and 20 hours of sleep per day, though this will vary depending on their breed, age, and level of activity. (In contrast, an adult dog typically sleeps for about 14 hours every day.)
That is a lot of rest! But when you stop and think about it, consider how much is happening: she’s literally growing a little bit every day, learning new things every day, and playing with her toys and you at the same time.
It’s exhausting! Growing puppies require a lot of naps, just like all baby animals, including infants and young children.
You want to make sure she gets plenty of downtime to sleep and rest in addition to exercise and playtime because it takes a lot of energy to develop and learn new things.
How Can I Know How Much Sleep My Puppy Is Getting
You can use a PitPat to monitor both your dog’s activity level and their resting periods.
Simply fasten a PitPat to your puppy’s collar or harness and download the PitPat app to begin monitoring their downtime.
Be on the lookout for significant variations in how much time they spend sleeping; however, if they’ve had a particularly active walk or play session, they might sleep more.)
Solution: A Sleeping Schedule
Although puppies thrive on routine, keep in mind that they won’t adhere to a strict daily schedule. A cycle of Sleep – Eat – Play with regular bathroom or potty breaks in between tends to be the most common and easiest-to-follow schedule:
- Sleep – Wake up from evening bedtime or nap
- Potty break
- Eat – Feed a meal or snack
- Another potty break – 20-30 minutes after eating
- Play – This can be teaching a new trick, meeting new people or pets, exploring his environment, or playing with a toy; encourage playing for at least 30 minutes, although older puppies may be able to play for an hour or more
- Sleep (Naptime) – While you can’t make a puppy sleep, you can put him in his kennel or a quiet environment to encourage rest; puppies can nap for as little as 20 minutes or as long as 2 hours; just let him rest and wake up when he is ready
- Sleep (Evening bedtime) – If your pup is not yet sleeping through the night, avoid playing or offering meals between bathroom breaks to hopefully encourage sleeping through the night
Final Thoughts
In general, it is normal for your puppy to sleep a lot, up to 16 to 20 hours per day, especially in very young puppies.
However, if your puppy is sleeping more than is typical for him and this change is accompanied by additional symptoms, then this could be a sign of illness. Consult your veterinarian right away for additional guidance and care if you suspect your puppy may have a health issue.
