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How Much Sleep Is Normal for Senior Dogs?
But when is a dog considered a senior?
According to theAmerican Veterinary Medical Association, smaller breed dogs tend to have longer lifespans than large breeds.
This equates to sleeping between 7.6 to 13 hours per day.
Previous studies report that dogs sleep about 10.1 hours per day on average.
Sleep also varies a bit across different breeds.
There is no exact set amount of hours of sleep that every dog should get.
Each individual dog is unique so it is important to be aware of your dogs specific sleeping patterns.
But too much sleep may be a sign of a bigger problem.
So what are some reasons your dog may be snoozing or sleeping all day?
One reason dogs may sleep a lot is due to boredom.
All dogs require adequate and consistent physical exercise and mental stimulation for their overall health and well-being.
Another situation where dogs may tend to sleep more is following overstimulation or overexertion.
Even lots of socialization with people and other dogs may make your pooch a bit more tired.
A common reason old dogs sleep more iscanine cognitive dysfunction, sometimes referred to as dog dementia.
Canine cognitive dysfunction is brought on by age-related degeneration of the brain.
These dogs often also suffer from disorientation, anxiety, and may urinate or defecate in the house.
A number of health issues can make your dog lethargic, causing them to sleep more.
Another condition that may make your dog sleep more is osteoarthritis, which is associated with pain and discomfort.
But this should be a gradual progression.
Sudden changes in sleep pattern or sleep schedule should be considered a red flag.
Also, take note if your dog is sleeping in different or unusual places (e.g.
hiding in closets) as this may be a sign of illness.
