How long should a puppy be awake between naps? Tips and Tricks

by

Why do puppies sleep so much?

Some new dog owners mistakenly believe that their puppy sleeps too much. They purposely wake the pet during the day so that it “sleeps better at night.” Others interrupt sleep for playtime and petting. And I understand the desire to spend more time with your cute little puppy. But keep yourself in check.

Puppies sleep so much for a reason. During puppyhood, their bodies develop at a breakneck pace. It takes a lot of energy for the bones, muscles, and brain (and therefore the nervous system) to develop properly. The consequences of sleep deprivation in dogs can be stress, anxiety, aggression, and other behavioral disorders.

Just imagine, a dog develops in a year like a human develops in 18 years!

Is my puppy sleeping too much?

Worried that your puppy is sleeping more than they should? Don’t be. If you think they’re sleeping too much, chances are they’re getting the “pawfect” amount of zzz’s needed for healthy cognitive development.

That said, some health conditions can cause lethargy in puppies and dogs, including:

Here are a few ways you can protect your puppy from diseases that affect their sleep habits:

  • Get them vaccinated. Ensure your pup has received all the core and non-core vaccines recommended by your veterinarian. Not sure which vaccines your dog needs? Check out Wag!s guide to vaccinations for dogs.
  • Stay up to date on parasite preventatives. Parasitic infections can cause lethargy and other symptoms in puppies. To prevent severe infections, administer your puppys heartworm, intestine worm and flea/tick treatments every 30 days, or according to the manufacturers instructions.
  • Feed your puppy a high-quality diet. Growing puppies have specific nutritional needs, and the weaning process can affect your puppys health in several ways. Be sure to purchase a high-quality food thats made specifically for puppies. Need a helping paw? Check out our guide on how to choose the right food for your dog.
  • Invest in pet insurance. Treating conditions that affect your puppys sleep patterns can get expensive fast. Pet insurance can put up to 100% of vet costs back in your pocket within 24 hours. Find the “pawfect” plan with your pup in seconds with Wag!s pet insurance comparison tool.

    • Will my puppy sleep at night if he sleeps all day?

    Is it possible for a puppy to sleep too much? The short answer is no. You will see variations on the amount of sleep according to age and breed, and activity, but young puppies need about 18 to 20 hours of sleep a day. (Adult dogs typically sleep about 14 hours a day, as a comparison.)

    How long should babies be awake between naps?

    Something to remember about puppies is that they need sleep – lots of it, just like babies. Your puppy will need about 18-19 hours sleep in every 24. So only expect 4 to 5 hours of being awake and only about an hour at a time. If they’re kept awake and playing, you could both be heading for a stressful time.