The amount of sleep a dog needs is variable and depends on a number of factors such as age, breed, level of physical activity, among others. Understanding these needs is essential to ensure your pet's health and well-being.
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Amount of Sleep Needed for Puppies
Newborn puppies usually spend the day sleeping and eating. As they grow older, they spend more time playing before falling into a deep sleep.
At six months, you can expect your pup to play a little more. It's still normal to see them quickly switch between high and low energy, said veterinarian Nicole Savageau to USA Today.
“They can be in the middle of a game and just fall asleep as they need to replenish that energy,” explains Savageau. “Your joints are growing, your bones are growing, your body is making new cells every day to keep them growing and it happens really fast.”
Sleep of adult and elderly dogs
Puppies aren't the only ones who spend most of their day sleeping - adult and senior dogs need a lot too. sleep.
"They just don't have the same amount of energy as younger dogs," says Savageau, noting that many older dogs sleep longer than the normal 12 to 14 hours.
When can sleep indicate problems?
Can a peacefully sleeping dog be a problem? Yes, if sleep behavior changes significantly, according to Dr. Savageau.
Sudden changes in sleep pattern can indicate an underlying condition such as hypothyroidism, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or even arthritis if it is more painful to move.
If your dog is sleeping less than usual, that could also be a problem. “For senior dogs, they can develop something called canine cognitive dysfunction, which is basically like canine dementia,” says Savageau.
Signs of canine cognitive dysfunction are usually more present at night than during the day, and dogs may appear confused, pace around, or have trouble calming down.
If you are concerned about your dog's sleeping behavior, please do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian. Even if there is an underlying condition, Savageau mentions that there are medications, like pills for anxiety and melatonin, which can alleviate sleep problems.