It is normal for a dog to take long naps and rest a lot during the day, but various factors such as age and daily activity must be taken into account. You need to pay close attention to some details that can be key to detecting problems such as lack of appetite or a state of depression.
We know it can be difficult, but at PSH we are going to clarify and explain each symptom and how to solve it.
Why does my dog sleep so much?
The first thing we will do when we detect that our pet sleeps too much is to count the hours of sleep, taking into account that puppies sleep much more than an adult dog and that as they get older their hours of sleep will increase.
Their posture will tell us a lot about the sleep phase they are in; when they are lying on their side or curled up in a ball, they will be in a deeper sleep, whereas when they are lying on their back or lying forward with their paws under their neck, they will be in a lighter sleep.
If your dog sleeps at unusual times or in strange situations, it may be due to a more serious problem, a disorder called hypersomnia.
Do their sleep patterns change in winter?
The answer is yes, but we will also have to analyze our own behavior. It is clear that during those cold and rainy months we like to spend more time at home and near the blanket with our dog, this will very clearly increase their sleeping hours, but we will still have to be attentive to any significant change.
In summer my dog sleeps too much...
The same thing happens in summer as in winter with our pet; due to the heat, we will notice that our pet lies down in any shade to rest and that their sleeping hours increase. During the day they will be less active due to the heat, but in the early morning and late afternoon, they will have much more energy.
Our dog may change their eating habits, eating at different times or in smaller quantities; this will not be a symptom to take into account.
Does age affect their sleep hours?
As we mentioned before, our dog's age is a very important factor when it comes to sleep, which is why their usual hours of sleep will increase. Care must be taken if they sleep too much and we see some symptoms of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, which is similar to Alzheimer's.
We will see how their mood and usual behavior change, they will be disoriented and will start to urinate inside the house. That they sleep
Sadness and sleep are related
If our dog is sad and also sleeps a lot, the first thing we should do is detect if it is due to a physical cause. It could be due to a lack of attention, boredom, or sudden changes in their routine.
A dog that has been adopted may be more prone to these types of problems, due to having been mistreated or separated from their mother too early.
My dog isn't eating and sleeps a lot
Some of the most common causes of our dog sleeping too many hours and lacking appetite can be anorexia, apathy, and fever. But if we detect any factor that makes us think they are sleeping too much, it could be due to a pathological process.
Viral diseases, for example, tend to be more concerning in puppies, as they are less developed and have an immature immune system.
Vomiting and sleep in our dog
One of the most common causes of our pet sleeping too much is intoxication or poisoning. Shaking or sleeping a lot, vomiting, or having diarrhea are key symptoms to take our dog to the vet immediately.
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