Sleep is the best meditation- Dalai Lama

Nothing soothes our soul more than hitting the bed after a long day. We all know the benefits of sleep for a human body and we’ll not bore you with that. But, Do you know how sleep impacts the health of your best friendーyour dog?

Bad sleep can make your dogs go from Fab to Drab! And ain’t nobody wants that. So, Furrble brings you all the sleep schedule know-hows for your dog.

Let’s Pet-set, and go!!

How much sleep is enough?

We all can agree on one factーDogs are twice as energetic as us. Hence, they require nearly double the amount of sleep to rejuvenate and relax. Dogs sleep an average of 12-14 hours every day. They follow a 50-30-20 rule. Sleep for 50% of the day, 30% for lounging but awake, and 20 % for being active. It does vary, as the sleep requirements depend upon the age, breed, food habits and lifestyle of the dog.

Age:

Dogs can sleep from 12 hours to up to 18 hours a day. Adult dogs usually sleep for nearly 12 hours. Puppies and senior dogs require more sleep. Puppies are the most energetic ones-they play almost all the time. So, they get tired more and need at least 12-14 hours of sleep. Senior dogs, though may not be the most active, get tired quickly and need 15-18 hours of sleep every day.

Breed:

That being said, some breeds like Labrador Retriever, Dalmatian, Beagle are super active while others like Bulldogs, Pugs are lazy and relaxed. The latter ones would require more sleep, but the former ones would do just fine with average sleeping hours.

Food Habits:

Food habits directly affect the sleep patterns of dogs. If the dog over-eats, they would want more sleep. Also, a more-calorie and less-nutrient filled diet would make dogs lethargic, needing more sleep than an average dog.

Lifestyle:

Service or training dogs are more active throughout the day, and mostly catch up on their sleep at the end of the day. They sleep less than the other dogs. But, sick dogs would need more sleep to recover faster. Several other factors can affect the sleep schedule that includeーexercise routine, quality of bedding etc. But beware, Over-sleeping can also be a sign of depression, diabetes etc.

Cheat-Sheet for Quality sleep:

Lack of sleep or over-sleeping, both are equally disastrous. As a pet parent, you need to find a middle ground to keep your babies healthy. So, here are some tips to keep in mind to maintain a healthy sleep schedule for your pets.

Happiness:

One of the most important aspects, yet least discussed is mental well-being. If your dog is not happy, their sleeping patterns will reflect the same. Oversleeping due to depression is one of them.

If you as a pet parent- are not home most of the time, they will spend most of their time sleeping. On the other hand, if they are not feeling safe, they may not sleep properly. Understand your dog well, and pick-up the hints. Always, consult a Veterinarian, if you notice sudden changes in the sleeping habits.

Exercise:

Dogs are inherently active beings. They need exercise or a play routine to stay healthy. If they are exercising just before their bed-time, they might not be able to sleep easily. So instead, plan their activities earlier in the day. By bed-time, they will be all ready to sleep.

Bedding:

The bed is where the magic happens- is the home for your cuddler. Proper bedding is crucial for a sound sleep. Depending on your dog, you might want to choose a bed which is apt for their needs. Uncomfortable bedding can cause irritability and broken sleep. A bed of their liking can drastically improve their quality of sleep.

Food:

Calories-heavy or packaged meals could make your dogs lethargic and unnecessarily tired, wanting more sleep. Avoid certain foods, which are not easily digestible, like Grapes, Raisins, Macadamia nuts. They may cause acid-reflux, making it difficult for pets to sleep. Do not feed them just before they go to sleep and always, portion control.

Sleep right, Sleep tight!

That’s all folks. Until next time…

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