How Much Do Dogs and Puppies Sleep?
You’ve probably heard that cats spend most of the day sleeping. But dogs spend a good chunk of the day napping too. In fact, adult dogs spend 12 to 14 hours sleeping per 24-hour cycle. That’s half the day!
If you also include resting time, then 18 hours chilling per day is completely normal for a dog!
Make sure to check out my article on dog sleep to get more information.
Plus, just like babies, puppies need a lot of sleep too. Their brains are developing, and sleep is necessary for that development. Your little puppy will probably spend about 18 to 20 hours a day sleeping.
Less than that can make your puppy become overtired which can in turn lead to overtired puppy biting. No need to provoke that!
So don’t be too concerned if your dog is spending most of the day lying around and napping. It’s perfectly normal and healthy for an adult dog to spend half the day asleep.
If you have a puppy, they’ll need even more for their little brains to develop properly.
Personality
It’s not just the breed that decides your dog’s energy levels. It’s his personality too!
Just like your friend who runs marathons versus your other friend who prefers to sit on the couch watching Netflix, individual dogs have their own preferences.
If your dog is healthy, happy, but isn’t interested in long hikes or jogs, it could just be your dog’s preference.
Some dogs lean naturally towards a more sedentary lifestyle!
Depression
There are a variety of reasons your dog could be depressed. Your dog could be grieving the loss of a companion. Perhaps you moved recently, and your dog is struggling to adjust to his new environment. Or maybe you’ve been depressed yourself, and your dog is picking up on that and mirroring your feelings.
The best thing to do if your dog is depressed is to spend more time with him. Try to engage him in fun activities, like playing games or going for hikes. The time you spend bonding will help both you and your dog.
You might also consider visiting your vet. If your dog’s depression isn’t going away, they’ll check for any other illness that could be affecting him. Your vet might also prescribe an antidepressant for your dog.
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Seeing them running around, jumping and playing can bring a smile to your face. And it can be contagious that you might just want to join in on the fun.