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Why is My Rescue Dog Sleeping So Much? What Is Normal – Age, Breed and Health
Introduction – Why Does My Rescue Dog Sleep So Much
Dogs sleep averagely for twelve to fourteen hours in a day. Your dog snuggles down for a snooze, or he seems to fall asleep for hours You wonder why you dog sleeps so much. Is it normal, is he sick and what should you do? To give you a better understanding we have conducted some research into the sleep habits of dogs.
Is your rescue dog up before you… or is your dog still sleeping when you start moving around. It is normally your dog who wakes you up or is staring into your eyes as you wake. After his trip to the bathroom, a little drink of his water and he’s ready to lay down again. This may leave you asking why does my dog sleep so much… you also wonder if your dogs is health and is this normal for canines?
Animal experts suggest that dogs usually sleep for 50% during the day. They rest comfortably for 30% of the day, and energetic for the remaining 20% of the day. On the other hand, puppies may have a ton more energy and sleep between their bursts of energy.
As a pup gets older she may sleep through the night and wake when you get up. And, other pups will sleep longer than adults. So while reading this guide to dogs sleeping patterns it’s important to consider the breeds, your dogs age and of course their individual needs.
Sleeping Patterns of All Dogs Including Your Rescue Dog
According to research, a dog’s sleep begins with a quiet sleep. Then active sleep, followed by a spontaneous arousal and five minutes of waking time. Quiet sleep involves a dog lying still, except for breathing with the eye closed.
Active sleep consists of a dog lying with its head down and its neck muscles relaxed. However, their eyes may show rapid movement. And, you may also observe irregular movements of the muzzle, like their ears tongue and ears are twitching. They may also appear to have involuntary leg movements.
Is My Rescue Dog Dreaming
Sometimes you may wonder if your dog is dreaming while he is sleeping. Your dog may vocalize by barking, yelping, and whining. During active sleep, your dog will normally lie down on its side. He or she will complete his active sleeping by awakening either by straightening all four legs or by raising its head. While looking about and followed by an audible sigh.
The sleep patterns of working dogs appear largely the same regardless of whether they are working at night or during the day. Basically, dogs are more likely to sleep during the day, but may be more active at night when on active duty.
Understanding Why Your Dog Sleeps So Much
The following reasons will help you understand man’s best friend long sleeping habits.
Fear and Anxiety
Unfortunately, if your rescue pup doesn’t quickly kick their poor sleep schedule, or genuinely seems like he is always sleeping for more than 13 hours per day, fear and anxiety could be the reason. Rescues dogs that were abused or raised in poor environments often develop fear and anxiety problems that prevent proper sleep.
If your dog is anxious and has trouble sleeping, they may be spending a lot of time lying down, trying to catch up on their missed sleep. Other dogs may have been abused at night or may have other triggers that are preventing their sleep at certain times. With this in mind it may be the reason. Your shelter dog may be trying to catch up now that they can relax a little more.
A good dog trainer should be able to help you identify what’s causing fear and anxiety in your dog. Using calm music, giving them a quiet place to sleep and love with help them in time to get the right amount of sleep.
Boredom or Nothing to do
What would you do if you are feeling bored and you have absolutely nothing to do on your off day? Would you not take a nap? One of the biggest reason why a healthy dogs would choose to sleep is boredom.
They have nothing else to do with their time. But as soon as the owner, guardians come home a dog would rather play than sleep.
If you were a dog, what would you do if your human chooses to leave you all by yourself at home and leave for the day. As the saying goes would you not sleep like a dog?
Not doing anything, such as obeying commands, running here and there, and so on is exhausting and boring. And that is probably why dogs choose to sleep for many hours during the course of the day.
Age May Affect How Much Your Rescue Dog Sleeps
A dog’s age affects its sleep. Normally, puppies and older dogs are known to sleep more than the middle aged. Puppies do spend most of their day playing and growing. So, sleeping comes natural to them, and they may sleep for approximately eighteen to twenty hours.
Senior or older dogs also sleep for longer hours when they have nothing to do. For larger breeds, a dog is considered as a senior when it is about six or seven years old. For smaller breeds, a dog is regarded a senior at ten or eleven years of age.
Irrespective of when your hound is considered a senior, you will surely see the changes brought about by aging. It may stop responding to commands as usual. For instance, your dog may not stand up quickly to respond to a command.
Other facets of your dog that may be hindered by aging. Such as a decline in hearing, eyesight and a greying muzzle. However, your dog may not be sleeping all that time. He may just be resting at times with his eyes closed.
Your Dog May Sleep So More Depending On Their Breed
Most dog breeds will have ‘normal’ sleep patterns. However, you should expect some differences with breed dogs. Especially extra large breeds such as Great Pyrenees, St. Bernard, Mastiffs, and Newfoundland’s often require more sleep.
Technically, the amount of sleep a dog would require may depend on what the dog breed was intended to do. Working dogs would rarely sleep during active hours. But dogs that are not trained to do anything are prone to sleep for many hours.
Feeling Unwell
Dogs show some of the same symptoms people do when they are sick, including runny waste, running nose, general slowness, stiff ness, and sleeping. So, the long sleeping hours may not be a normal behavior. You are advised to be taking your canine to the vet regularly.
Your dog requires annual checkups and visits to stay on a vet’s vaccination program. A dog cannot tell you when it feels sick, but its behavior can tell if you are paying attention. Make sure you know your hound’s routine.
Lifestyle Changes
Dogs tend to get intimate with their environment. Therefore, relocation can be a significant factor in their lives. They react to environment and people around them. Changing the environment for a dog may affect its mood or behavior.
The whole relocation thing can be very stressful for your hound, and it may take time for it to embrace the new people and environment. It may express all the stressful events in its life through increased hours of sleeping. So, there is no cause for alarm, not unless you are sure it is sick.
Depression
Like their humans, dog can suffer with depression. Big changes, like a move, losing someone can greatly affect a dog. Your dog cannot comprehend changes that are disruptive and they are sad when there is a loss. Even getting a new pet, or the addition of a family member like a baby can make a dog feel blue. And just like people you dog may sleep if they have depression.
A depressed dog may sleep more than normal. He may eat all the time, or even refuse to eat altogether. A dog who is depressed is more likely to act lethargic. A dog may retreat from everyone and everything and hide in the basement to sleep.
Heavy sleeping along with depression come natural for a dog as it is for a human. If you suspect depression in your dog then make sure to take action. So you can avoid any health problems that are associated to depression. Visit a veterinary and take steps help you dog get out of the blues. Love, exercise, and making sure your dog is included in any changes.
Diabetes in Dogs
Diabetes is one of the major causes of lethargy in dogs. Therefore, you may see your dog sleeping too much and assume that is normal. Well, it might be normal, but is always advisable to make close observations.
Sluggishness or excessive sleeping may be an indication of other diseases. You need to become a good observer of your dog’s lifestyle and activities. This will allow you to accurately report information to your pet’s veterinarian.
Diabetes is more common in older and middle age dogs, particularly if they are overheavy. High carb diets as well as lack of exercise contribute to the development of diabetes. High fat diets and lack of exercise can also increase weight gain and lead to diabetes.
Specific breeds are known to be more vulnerable to diabetes, but the risk factors for this increased susceptibility are not understood. We hope you know the risk factors that are associated with your dog’s breed.
The major symptoms you should look out for when your dog sleeps excessively are:
- Lethargy or weakness
- Lack of responsiveness
- Disorientation and staggering
- Seizures
Diabetes can be regulated in most affected dogs. Your pet may have ups and downs and it may require intensive care. We urge you not to feel overwhelmed the first time you notice the changes. Your diabetic partner can live long and happy, you just have to get it to a vet in time.
Regardless of the fact that a diabetic dog always need to be under the care of a vet, it is fairly easy to control the symptoms by giving administering insulin shots twice a day. You can also improve your pet’s blood sugar balance by giving it high fiber foods.
What If Your Dog Sleeps So Much When None of the Above Reasons Apply
It is rare, but you may observe that your dog is sleeping more than you feel is normal. To rule out any concerns it is best that you take your dog to the veterinary for a health check up. This should particularly be the move to take, if you do not know the symptoms of Lyme disease, hypothyroidism, and diabetes.
It’s better to be safe than sorry – this way you will either be better equipped to help your dog if there are any health issues. And if all is well then you too can rest easy.
In Conclusion of Why Does My Rescue Dog Sleep So Much, and What’s Normal?
Unless your rescue dog is sick, you should try as much as possible to make your dog sleep comfortable. Most dogs will happily find a place to sleep. It’s also a good idea to create a place for your dog to sleep especially if you have a new dog or are trying your canine.
Some experts recommend getting your dog an orthopedic bed made with egg-crate foam.
It is okay to worry about your dogs excessive sleep, but do not be jealous to the extent that you disturb its sleep. It is your best friend and it’s no secret that you want the best for it. All you have to do is ensure it is healthy by visiting a vet regularly.