How much do dogs sleep?

Updated 11/05/23

If you’re anything like us, you probably spend a good chunk of your day admiring your pooch pal as they snooze on the couch. Most of our four-legged friends seem to have this uncanny ability to spend the day dozing and still have no problem sleeping the whole night through (we’re not bitter about it at all!). If the question of dog sleep has ever crossed your mind, we’re here to answer “how much do dogs sleep?” and when your dog’s sleeping habits might be something to worry about.

How much do dogs sleep?

If you think your furry friend seems to clock more hours in the land of nod than they do awake, you’re not wrong. They spend a luxurious 50% of the day sleeping, that’s 12 hours out of 24, and they don’t stop there! Another 30% of their day is reserved for chilling, i.e. lying down and keeping an eye on everything that’s going on, which means that many pooch pals are only actually active for about 20% of the day! But dog sleep isn’t quite as straightforward as it seems. Aside from averages, we need to consider age, breed, size, health, and even lifestyle when answering the question “how long do dogs sleep?”. 

How much do puppies sleep?

Beauty sleep is extra important for puppies as they’re still growing - when you first bring home your puppy they will likely need 18-20 hours of sleep per day! We know this sounds like a lot, but pups don’t clock all these hours in one go. Young puppies are constantly switching between sleeping and playing (yes, even during the night), and typically have short bursts of energy followed by an hour-long nap. 

How much do adult dogs sleep?

Adult dogs don’t need quite as much shut-eye as young pups, but they do still get a decent amount of sleep. Most grown-up pooches get 10-14 hours of sleep per day, clocking most of these Z’s during the night.

How much do senior dogs sleep?

The older dogs get, the more sleep they generally need. As they reach the grand old age of 6 or 7, you may notice your pooch pal has less energy than before and needs more recovery time than he once did. It can be perfectly normal for senior pups to sleep for 14-15 hours a day, but monitoring your older dog’s sleeping habits and looking out for signs of health problems is important. 

How does size, breed, and lifestyle affect dog sleep? 

Aside from age, dog sleep can be affected by size, breed, lifestyle, and activity level. Large breeds burn more energy in their day-to-day activities so it’s only natural they need more sleep than their smaller companions, and active breeds and working dogs generally need less sleep than the average pup. Furry friends living in bustling households are more likely to be up and active throughout the day, but they may need to catch up on sleep for longer at night. On the flip side, if your pooch pal’s environment isn’t exciting or mentally stimulating enough, this might cause them to spend more of the day in bed.

Why do dogs sleep so much?

Ok, dogs sleep A LOT, and there’s truth to the saying let sleeping dogs lie. Just like us, sleep gives our pooch pals time to recover and process everything that’s gone on in the day, and is proven to enhance memory, increase learning ability, strengthen their immune system, and improve mood and general well-being. Yes, our furry friends can wake up on the wrong side of the bed just like us, and sleep deprivation can make them grumpy! 

When is dog sleep something to worry about? 

Sleep is essential for your furry friend’s health, so it’s important to get it right. While a dog barking in sleep or a dog twitching in sleep is generally pretty normal, if you notice any changes in your dog’s sleeping patterns or you’re worried they’re sleeping too much or too little, speak to your vet to see if they can help you get to the bottom of what’s going on.

Dog sleeping too much 

If your furry friend sleeps all day, rather than setting an alarm and forcing them out of bed, you need to find out why. Here are some of the reasons your pooch pal could be clocking some extra Zzz’s:

• Hot weather: heat can make pups lethargic and sleepy - look out for signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke which include heavy panting and trouble breathing.
• Boredom and depression: if there’s not much else for your pooch pal to do, they might see no other option than to snooze the day away. 
• Poor nutrition: if your pooch pal isn’t getting the nutrients they need it can cause them to feel lethargic and lazy. 
• Sleep disorders: excessive sleepiness in the daytime may be a sign your fur baby has a condition like narcolepsy, sleep apnea, or REM sleep behavior disorder.
• Disease: diabetes and kidney disease can cause pups to sleep for longer. 

Dog not sleeping enough 

If your dog’s sleeping too little or having trouble falling asleep in the first place, the following factors are important to consider: 

• Environmental changes: a lack of sleep might be triggered by moving house and even a new bed.
• Changes in exercise routine: your pooch pal is a creature of habit just as much as you are, and they may need less sleep if they are burning less energy. 
• Respiratory issues: a dog breathing fast while sleeping may be a sign of an exciting dream, but asthma, a collapsing trachea, or a respiratory infection can cause difficulties in breathing.
• Painful conditions: if your pooch pal is experiencing joint pain from arthritis or another painful condition, this can make sleeping uncomfortable or cause them to wake up during the night. 

As you have seen, the answer to “how much do dogs sleep?” is nuanced and variable. Overall, puppies and senior dogs get more sleep than adult dogs, but a dog’s sleeping habits can also be affected by something as simple as moving house. Sticking to the same routine can be important for pooch pals, that’s why it’s a good idea to have an in-house dog sitter take care of your furry friends while you’re away. Your four-legged friend can nap in the same sunny spot and enjoy a good night’s sleep in their own bed, all while enjoying the company of a dog-loving house sitter. 

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.