For dog lovers, not much is better than cuddling up with your pup. As dog owners know, your best friend spends a lot of time sleeping, whether they sleep with you all night or take naps throughout the day. Some pet owners might be concerned about whether their dog is sleeping too much or not enough. Here, we’ll answer questions you probably have about canine sleep habits such as, does my dog sleep too much, too little, and why are they snoring so much?
The Importance of Sleep
All living beings need sleep and rest. Studies show that puppies that get enough sleep develop faster and are more intelligent. Just like humans, dogs get tired and need to sleep to feel refreshed and recharged—dogs get tired of socialization, communication, and physical activities, too! While dogs need sleep for the same reasons as humans, man’s best friend sleeps a little differently than humans.
Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much?
If you have a dog or have spent enough time around one, you’ll already know that they don’t sleep for longer stretches of time like humans. This is because dogs spend less time in REM sleep than humans. Their sleep cycles are much shorter and dogs are more sensitive to sounds and smells, so they are easily disturbed when sleeping. Because of this, a good portion of a dog’s day is spent sleeping. When they are awake, dogs are much more active than humans. It's common for dogs to sleep for more than 8 hours per day.
The reason why dogs sleep more than humans is based on their evolutionary traits. The modern dog evolved from wolves which have remained largely unchanged since their ancient carnivorous ancestors.
While the modern day dog is an omnivore, meaning they can eat both animal and plant foods, their sleep cycle is compatible with that of a carnivore. In the wild, carnivores tend to sleep more than herbivores, and this trait has stayed the same in dogs.
How Many Hours a Day Do Dogs Sleep?
All dogs, regardless of age or breed, sleep more than humans. However, the amount of sleep varies depending on age and certain breeds.
Puppies
Similar to infant humans, puppies need more sleep than older dogs. According to the American Kennel Club, puppies sleep 18 to 20 hours a day until they reach 16 weeks, where they average about 14 hours a day. Puppies tend to wake up at night like babies and need to be let out. Sleep training a puppy also coincides with potty training or crate training.
Adult Dogs
Adult dogs sleep anywhere from eight to 13 hours per night, with an average of 11 hours. Adult dogs, or dogs between the ages of one and two, tend to sleep more at night than puppies. A dog’s sleep schedule tends to match those of their owners—if you’re a night owl, your dog will probably be one, too. Adult dogs still take several daytime naps and tend to sleep up to 37% of the day.
Different dog breeds have different sleep habits and requirements. Some breeds, like Mastiffs, Basset Hounds, Bulldogs, Saint Bernard, and Chow Chows, sleep the most. More active breeds like Labradors, Airedale Terriers, and Border Collies sleep much less.
Factors Affecting Your Dog’s Sleep
Like humans, health conditions, exercise, environment, age, and more can impact your dog’s sleep and health. Here’s what can impact your pooch’s sleep.
Age
Age is one of the key factors in a dog’s sleeping requirements. Puppies and older dogs need the most sleep, with 18 to 20 hours daily, while adult dogs require eight to fourteen hours.
Breed
Giant breeds, like Great Danes and Mastiffs, tend to sleep more than smaller dogs and might sleep up to 18 hours per day. Medium size dogs, like Beagles and Corgis, sleep around 10 to 14 hours a day while tiny and smaller dogs sleep around 14 to 16 hours per day. Some breeds, like Huskies, German Shepherds, and Dobermans, which were bred for a task and as guard dogs, tend to sleep less.
Rapid Eye Movement (REM)
The canine sleep cycle is designed for frequent, shorter naps during the day instead of one, consistent sleep at night. This slower sleep cycle means that dogs spend less time in REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) than humans and get less deep sleep. Since dogs sleep frequently, they can recover from the lack of time in deep sleep quickly.
Exercise
Each dog has a different activity level depending on their breed, lifestyle, and general energy level. Exercise, or lack of, can impact your dog’s sleep patterns.
If a dog doesn’t get enough activity during the day, they tend to have extra energy at bedtime, making it difficult to wind down and get to sleep. The most active and energetic dog breeds (Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Golden Retriever) are ready to go when awake, but when it’s bedtime, they love a good snooze.
Surroundings
Just like us, a change in surroundings can impact your dog’s sleep patterns and habits. Life events like moving or adding a baby to the family can disrupt their sleep.
Along with new surroundings, loud noises like fireworks and thunderstorms can scare dogs and disrupt their sleep. Luckily, you can get anti-anxiety medications and sedatives to help calm your dog down and help them sleep.
Health
If your dog has health problems, their sleep can be negatively impacted. One of the most common health problems in dogs, especially older dogs, is urinary disease.
Symptoms like incontinence and frequent urination can make it difficult for dogs to sleep and cause frequent waking. Along with urinary issues, allergies, skin, or joint health problems cause itching, coughing, and pain that can disrupt sleep.
Signs That Your Dog Isn’t Getting Enough Sleep
Dogs are highly adaptable animals thanks to their social nature and pack mentality. If your dog’s environment has suddenly or dramatically changed recently, they might be getting less sleep than usual.
Since dogs tend to sleep regularly, there haven’t been many studies concerning sleep deprivation in dogs. However, one study found dogs experience some of the same symptoms of sleep deprivation that humans do, such as:
Emotional reactions to stress
Decreased mood
Irritability
Poor memory
Decreased learning ability
Here are a few other signs your dog isn’t getting enough sleep:
Slow movement
Lethargy
Poor appetite
Loss of interest in normal activities
Can Dogs Have Sleep Disorders?
Just like us, your pup can also experience some common sleep problems found in humans. Sleep disorders in dogs are rare compared to humans. Here are a few to watch out for.
Narcolepsy in Dogs
Symptoms of canine narcolepsy include excessive daytime drowsiness and cataplexy, or loss of muscle tone and control that can lead to fainting. Narcolepsy is the most common in Dobermans and Labrador due to genetics, but can present in dog breeds history of the condition. While there is no cure for narcolepsy in dogs, it can be managed with certain medications.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Dogs
Canine sleep apnea most often affects brachycephalic breeds. Brachycephalic dogs have a shorter snout and nose, like Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, Boxers, and English Bulldogs. Sleep apnea in dogs causes similar symptoms to humans with the condition, with the most common being loud, chronic snoring.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder in Dogs
If you’ve ever seen a dog move their paws or legs when they are sleeping, they might have REM Behavior Disorder. Most often, your dog is probably dreaming about chasing that squirrel they saw in the yard, but if your dog is frequently moving in their sleep, it’s time to schedule a vet appointment.
REM Behavior Disorder causes movement during sleep and can sometimes escalate into aggressive behavior, attacking objects, or walking into walls when sleeping. Luckily, this condition can be treated with medications that reduce movement during sleep.
How to Improve Your Dog’s Sleeping Habits
Often, a health issue is not the root of your dog’s sleep problems. It’s possible their routine has been disrupted or they want a more comfortable bed or sleep surface. Here are some tips to help improve your dog’s sleeping habits.
Upgrade their dog bed
No one, dogs included, wants to sleep in an uncomfortable bed! If your dog sleeps on a dog bed, you might want to consider upgrading to a better option such as memory foam. If your dog sleeps with you, maybe they are hot, cold, or want a pillow or blanket. If you’ve gotten a poor night’s sleep, you’re more likely to experience a bad mood, and the same applies to your dog.
Let your dog choose their own spot
Dog owners know that dogs have their favorite “spots” in the house. From a chair, a sunny place by the window, or at the foot of your bed, dogs will sleep and lay down where they are the most comfortable. Let your dog decide where they want to sleep instead of making them stay in a certain location at night.
Adjust your dog’s schedule to match your own
Keeping your dog on your schedule will ensure that they stick to sleeping and eating at a certain time. Dogs are adaptable and will adjust to your schedule quickly and get used to habits like when it’s time to eat, time for you to get home, etc.
Keep dog’s sleeping area dark
All mammals have light-impacted circadian rhythms. Letting your dog sleep in a dark and quiet room will improve their sleep quality.
Exercise
There are numerous studies and evidence that exercise improves sleep in humans, but there hasn’t been as much research into the connection between sleep and exercise in dogs.
However, there is some evidence that exercise can improve sleep quality in dogs, especially more active breeds. A 2020 study found that regular exercise decreased the risk of chronic illness in dogs.
Try sleeping alone
While there are health and emotional benefits of sleeping with your dog, if you and your pooch are sharing a bed and find you’re both tossing and turning, it might be time to go your separate ways at night.
One study from 2020 found sharing a bed with your dog can disrupt both human and canine sleep patterns. The study found that these disruptions can happen even if you don’t realize it, resulting in poor sleep quality.
While dogs are usually good sleepers, if you’ve noticed your dog is sleeping less, more, or poorly, it’s best to consult your veterinarian. Sleep is vital to your dog’s overall health and being able to recognize signs of distress in your dog will make you a better pet owner and will help keep your dog’s health in check.
Shanir Kol, founder and CEO of SleePare, pioneered the “Try and Buy” model in eCommerce, enhancing mattress shopping by combining in-store trials with online purchases. Launching in 1999, his company focuses on customer satisfaction and eco-friendly practices, aiming to minimize mattress waste and expand sustainably.
Amazing experience! Valerio is super knowledgeable, friendly and he gives you space to try a lot in peace! We bought our mattress and made a great deal!
Fazi was excellent and so knowledgable about each mattress. Her patience and expert advice made me feel confidant in my decision, never feeling I was being pressured. Highly recommend!
Fazi greatly helped us in the search of our new mattress. Our experience with her was delightful. She did not only take her time to understand our needs but also took time to educate us on all the aspects and details around a mattress choice.
Have had a nightmare of a time navigating the mattress industry on my own, especially after a few bad purchases from online bed in a box brands. Thankfully, Malcom and Sleepare helped my partner and I pick out what will hopefully be the perfect mattress for us. Really appreciate Malcom's knowledgeability and patience in answering all of our questions and being incredibly accommodating.
I had a great experience at SleePare and recommend them wholeheartedly. I had developed back pain and sciatica on my old mattress even though it was in great condition, and my Physical Therapist recommended that I change to a mattress with more cushioning as well as more support. SleePare is not restricted to just one or two brands. In their large showroom I could actually try a variety of brands for as long as I wanted. I figured that having to spend 8 hours on a mattress required a long testing. Raveena helped me and she was perfect. She first took time to understand my particular needs. Then she guided me with great expertise toward the type of mattress that would fit my needs. I was impressed by how knowledgeable she was and I trusted her answers because she did not embellish them or push to make a sale. Their generous free return policy of 100 days allowed me to try my new mattress at home. I don't understand how people can buy something online as personal and sensitive as a mattress without even knowing if they like it in the first place, and then go through the trouble of having to return it. SleePare was the place I was looking for: they are straight shooters that offer a nice selection of many brands with expert and honest advice. I've been sleeping on this mattress for 8 months and back pain and sciatica no longer wake me up.
Valerio was so lovely, and extremely knowledgeable about the matresses! He energetically gave us details on each bed in the showroom. There was a wide range of mattresses on display including some that were not advertised on their website, so we were glad we came in. My partner and I felt comfortable enough to try some beds together, it was a very queer friendly space and we felt confident enough to make a decision. We ended up getting a great deal on a typically expensive mattress, and he was very accommodating to our drop-off schedule. We had so much fun. 🌈❤️
Went there on 5 days ago to look for a king size mattress. Made an appointment. Read a bunch of reviews on line and went to check out the mattress that was highly recommended. Valerio helped us understand how mattresses are made and encouraged to try them. We eventually chose a different mattress to the one we went to check out. Very positive experience. Would recommend you go before committing to a mattress type based on reviews on line like NYT or Forbes ranking etc
I was warmly greeted by Fazi, who listened to my concerns about the kind of mattress. I thought I might be looking for. She cordially offered information and insights relating to my search and then spent significant time with me showing a variety of mattresses that she thought would offer me good sleep and good value. It was an A+ experience.
Malcom was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. They’re to help but also patient and let me take my time, and happy to answer all my questions. A very positive experience, and I’m looking forward to improved sleep on my new mattress!
Visited Sleepare today. Valerio helped us out purchasing mattress. He was helpful, polite, and friendly. Got the mattress that we wanted with great price. Great experience.
Great experience. Store Manager, Fazi, is very welcoming and helpful. We were given enough information and time to make a decision with no pressure whatsoever. Made a daunting effort clear and simple. Would highly recommend.
Valerio helped my wife and I find the mattress we’ve been needing for months! He walked us through every option and told us the composition of each type! We would have been lost without him! We will only ever come back here for anything we need in terms of our bedding in the future! He made the process stress free and we’re walking out with exactly what we were looking for! 10/10
I feel grateful to live in an area where a showroom like this is available. After all, a mattress is one of the most important purchases we make in our lives, and it's certainly risky making a blind buy!During my appointment, not only was I able to physically test mattresses from companies that have no brick-and-mortar locations, but the associate named Fazi was absolutely instrumental in my ultimate purchasing decision. I was very impressed with her knowledge of the mechanics behind each mattress, and ways to distinguish between whether any bed-related accessories are worth the money. Even if you're not local to NYC, I'd highly recommend visiting here for a consultation. I'm glad the word is spreading about this place!
Wow, what a fantastic experience! The best customer service of any mattress store I've ever been too, bar none. Fazi was incredibly attentive, offering excellent feedback and advice throughout the process of exploring all the various products Sleepare has to offer. I was really impressed by her attention to detail, and the patience and care she showed me as I asked many (MANY) questions! I am very much planning on buying my mattress from SleePare -- can't recommend this store enough.
I had a great experience today when I visited SleePare Mattress Store in Manhattan on West 30th made all the more wonderful by Fazi. She is so knowledgeable, helpful, patient and kind. I had done a little research about beds over the last couple of weeks, but actually trying out the mattresses in this showroom with Fazi’s knowledge about each and her suggestions for me to ponder, I feel I am better equipped to pick the right mattress for me and my problematic lumbar spine. I would and will recommend highly to anyone looking to buy a mattress to go to SleePare. Thank you SleePare and Fazi!
I had a fantastic experience here. Had an evening appointment and the salesman, Valerio, spent 40 minutes with me explaining the differences between mattresses in great detail. He guided me to a choice that was both extremely comfortable and also not at the top end of my budget range. And he didn't even try to get me to buy something at the super high end. I didn't think I was going to make a purchase right on the spot, but he instilled so much confidence and comfort in the process that I walked out of the store having ordered my new mattress. Fantastic experience, thanks to Valerio!
I recently visited Sleepare for the second time to shop for a new mattress, and Valerio made the experience truly exceptional. From the moment I walked in, he was friendly, attentive, and genuinely interested in helping me find the perfect mattress for my needs.Valerio was incredibly knowledgeable, explaining the differences between various types of mattresses, firmness levels, and materials in a way that was easy to understand. He took the time to ask about my sleeping habits and preferences, ensuring their recommendations were tailored to me.What really stood out was he’s patiencethere was no pressure to rush or make a decision. He encouraged me to take my time testing out different options and answered all my questions thoroughly.Thanks to Valerio, I found a mattress that feels perfect, and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. If you’re shopping for a mattress, I highly recommend working with Valerio he truly care about customers and go above and beyond to provide excellent service!
We walked in today at Sleepare in nyc and were greeted by Malcom. We told him what we were looking for (a good quality mattress that helps support hip injuries, is comfortable for back and side sleepers and is not too soft) and although we came in with a Dream Cloud, as soon as we laid on it we didn’t like how much we sunk in. We ended up lovingggg the Helix Dawn which to our surprise was a firm mattress with a plush pillow top and that’s the one we both liked. Malcom let us lay as long as we wanted and gave us insight on each mattress. He was cheerful and attentive and made us feel like the experience was worth it. He also told us about a bundle sale that was ending the same day as our visit and we chose to purchase and get the bundle. So we got a mattress and a mattress cover, pillows, and bedsheets for free! So excited to receive the mattress! Thanks Malcom!
Wow… just wow. Went to try some mattresses and didn’t think I would get such an amazing experience, and it’s all thanks to Valerio! He’s so personable and a great person. Super knowledgeable and professional, and makes you feel right at home. He has your best interest in mind and will not try to sell you the most expensive mattress, but the one that suits you the best. Thanks Valerio for an amazing experience!
Our Sleepare experience was enhanced by Valerio, who made shopping for a mattress a truly enjoyable experience! He had great advice and knowledge of all the different types of mattresses, which helped us make our final choice.
I had a wonderful experience at SleePare. I made an appointment the day before and included my budget along with some preferences and sleep habits (I recommend doing this as well if visiting). I was helped by Malcolm who was incredibly helpful and already had some beds lined up according to my appointment notes. Malcolm was super helpful and not pushy at all. He took great consideration of my constraints and helped me narrow down my choice as well as answer my countless questions. I had some brands in mind but with their help I was able to find a mattress that wasn’t even on my radar and I was much more happy with. This is a great spot to check out online mattress brands in person before committing to a purchase or sleep trial. Overall I was very happy with my experience and definitely recommend Malcolm to help you out!
What a great shopping experience! Valerio answered all our questions and held guide us to find the perfect mattress. On top of the great service, Valerio made us feel welcomed and we trusted his expertise! Very happy with our shopping experience!
Was recommended to come and I loved the experience!!! The service is great, great help in trying to find the perfect mattress explaining the differences between the different types of springs, gel, etc. If you are trying to find a new mattress I recommend going in person to find what you like.
I just walked in.Fazi was ready to help me out. She is smart easy to talk to and knows a lot about these mattresses. 30 minutes later I bought an amazing Helix Elite mattress.Fazi made the purchase easy.
I love this place. I was so clueless to what I wanted and needed. And Fazi i think the name of the guy he gave exceptional service. I would recommend 10/10
I had an absolutely incredible experience shopping at SleePare! I can't express enough how impressed and grateful I am for the outstanding assistance I received from Fazi. Despite not having an appointment, she went above and beyond to help me understand which mattress would suit my sleep style best. Her knowledge, patience, and attentiveness were remarkable.I visited the store multiple times—testing mattresses again and again, aligning payments, and even exploring pillow options—and every single time, I was treated with the utmost care and respect. The service was nothing short of exceptional, and I’m beyond thrilled to be finalizing my purchase with SleePare. Thank you for such an amazing experience!
I made an appointment online, went to the showroom and was assisted by Fazi. She was attentive, *not* pushy, the showroom and mattresses were clean and in great shape. Excellent service through the entire process from entrance to purchase (over the phone). Would HIGHLY recommend to anyone looking to try any popular online mattress brands!!
Best mattress showroom in town! customer service was perfect. Fazi was very knowledgeable about her work and was able to help me out with all of the questions i had about my purchase. highly recommend the mlily power cool!!!
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Meet The Author:
Shanir Kol
Shanir Kol, founder and CEO of SleePare, pioneered the “Try and Buy” model in eCommerce, enhancing mattress shopping by combining in-store trials with online purchases. Launching in 1999, his company focuses on customer satisfaction and eco-friendly practices, aiming to minimize mattress waste and expand sustainably.