The Importance of Sleep in our dogs
123rf.com/profile_damedeeso
Sleep is something that is often not considered for our pets.
But sleep is very important, and it needs to be quality sleep for the dogs to have the benefits of it, just like us.
So how much sleep?
Puppies should have anywhere from 18-20 hours of sleep per day.
Smaller dogs tend to sleep less than the larger breeds. And some larger breed dogs will still need up to 18 hours of sleep per day.
When should you be concerned?
When your pet is sleeping excessively – out of the normal for them – medical conditions can result in feeling of fatigue etc and should be evaluated from a veterinarian.
When your pet is not able to rest and comfortably sleep. Again, medical conditions and things such as anxiety can affect our dogs sleep – consultation with your veterinarian is recommended.
But sleep is very important, and it needs to be quality sleep for the dogs to have the benefits of it, just like us.
So how much sleep?
Puppies should have anywhere from 18-20 hours of sleep per day.
- Pups are growing and will need to sleep more to allow for this energy expenditure.
Smaller dogs tend to sleep less than the larger breeds. And some larger breed dogs will still need up to 18 hours of sleep per day.
When should you be concerned?
When your pet is sleeping excessively – out of the normal for them – medical conditions can result in feeling of fatigue etc and should be evaluated from a veterinarian.
When your pet is not able to rest and comfortably sleep. Again, medical conditions and things such as anxiety can affect our dogs sleep – consultation with your veterinarian is recommended.
What happens when your dog is asleep?
Dogs have sleep cycles just as humans do, however their sleep cycles are more rapid. We are looking for the periods of REM (Rapid Eye Movement sleep). This is the deeper sleep, and believe it or not, when the brain is at its most active. This in itself is still not fully understood by science.
REM sleep is where the body gets most of the benefits that are needed to rest and recover. You can tell that your dog is in REM sleep when they twitch, chase bunnies, bark etc. The dreaming part of sleep. This is one of the reasons I will ask you “How well does your dog sleep? Do you see him dream?”
Dogs have sleep cycles just as humans do, however their sleep cycles are more rapid. We are looking for the periods of REM (Rapid Eye Movement sleep). This is the deeper sleep, and believe it or not, when the brain is at its most active. This in itself is still not fully understood by science.
REM sleep is where the body gets most of the benefits that are needed to rest and recover. You can tell that your dog is in REM sleep when they twitch, chase bunnies, bark etc. The dreaming part of sleep. This is one of the reasons I will ask you “How well does your dog sleep? Do you see him dream?”
Setting our dogs up for their best sleep?
Dogs should have choices for sleep and resting places.
They should have beds that allow them to lay flat if they wish. Many will prefer covered crates or hiding under blankets as a feeling of security.
The beds should be near their family. Dogs are social animals, and may not want to be isolated from their family members. However, they beds should be out of the main traffic areas so as not to disturb their sleep.
Dogs are generally happy if they can be in their bed, and keep an eye on family members in other rooms or watch the doorways etc.
However, we should also be conscious of not putting their beds near external windows and doors – this may create drafts, and or provide distraction for the dog (ooo bird, possum, cat, postman), which limits their ability to gain the deep sleep we so desire.
The beds my dogs have:
Effects of not getting enough quality sleep?
You may find, just like in humans, that dogs that have not had enough quality sleep are more likely to be “edgy”, and reactive, irritable, or grumpy. These dogs will also not have had the benefit of the deep sleep that allows them to process the information of the day.
Dogs that have continued poor sleep, may suffer from longer term issues as the body has not had time to rest and repair itself as well – these dogs will often have gastrointestinal issues, anxiety, and poor immune response. Sometimes this can be a chicken or the egg question to some extent too – which came first. However improving sleep, can help improve these other concerns.
Referenceshttps://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Basics/Sleeping-Habits.aspx. n.d. [online] Available at: <https://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Basics/Sleeping-Habits.aspx> [Accessed 30 September 2020].
Science | AAAS. 2017. Brain Scans Show Dogs Learn When Sleeping—Just Like People. [online] Available at: <https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/10/brain-scans-show-dogs-learn-when-sleeping-just-people> [Accessed 30 September 2020].
Sleep.org. 2020. How Many Hours Do Dogs Sleep Everyday | Sleep.Org. [online] Available at: <https://www.sleep.org/how-much-do-dogs-sleep/> [Accessed 30 September 2020].
SleepHelp.org. 2020. Everything You Need To Know About Dogs Sleep. [online] Available at: <https://www.sleephelp.org/dogs-sleep/> [Accessed 30 September 2020].
Dogs should have choices for sleep and resting places.
They should have beds that allow them to lay flat if they wish. Many will prefer covered crates or hiding under blankets as a feeling of security.
The beds should be near their family. Dogs are social animals, and may not want to be isolated from their family members. However, they beds should be out of the main traffic areas so as not to disturb their sleep.
Dogs are generally happy if they can be in their bed, and keep an eye on family members in other rooms or watch the doorways etc.
However, we should also be conscious of not putting their beds near external windows and doors – this may create drafts, and or provide distraction for the dog (ooo bird, possum, cat, postman), which limits their ability to gain the deep sleep we so desire.
The beds my dogs have:
- Crates – soft and wire – both covered.
- Pupnaps calming beds – there is a lot of hype with these beds – and they may not work for anxiety, but they are very comfortable and my dogs do love them and sleep well in them.
- Rover dog bed or Henry Hottie mattress – these are both mattress style beds, and will allow your dog to lay flat with full support.
- Ummm…. My bed – I get that many do not want their dogs on their beds, however having your dog able to sleep in your room on their bed can improve their sleep quality too.
- The couch and the lounge
Effects of not getting enough quality sleep?
You may find, just like in humans, that dogs that have not had enough quality sleep are more likely to be “edgy”, and reactive, irritable, or grumpy. These dogs will also not have had the benefit of the deep sleep that allows them to process the information of the day.
Dogs that have continued poor sleep, may suffer from longer term issues as the body has not had time to rest and repair itself as well – these dogs will often have gastrointestinal issues, anxiety, and poor immune response. Sometimes this can be a chicken or the egg question to some extent too – which came first. However improving sleep, can help improve these other concerns.
Referenceshttps://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Basics/Sleeping-Habits.aspx. n.d. [online] Available at: <https://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Basics/Sleeping-Habits.aspx> [Accessed 30 September 2020].
Science | AAAS. 2017. Brain Scans Show Dogs Learn When Sleeping—Just Like People. [online] Available at: <https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/10/brain-scans-show-dogs-learn-when-sleeping-just-people> [Accessed 30 September 2020].
Sleep.org. 2020. How Many Hours Do Dogs Sleep Everyday | Sleep.Org. [online] Available at: <https://www.sleep.org/how-much-do-dogs-sleep/> [Accessed 30 September 2020].
SleepHelp.org. 2020. Everything You Need To Know About Dogs Sleep. [online] Available at: <https://www.sleephelp.org/dogs-sleep/> [Accessed 30 September 2020].