LIFESTYLE NEWS - Dogs sleep a lot. We’re talking 12–14 hours a day, on average. While many dogs can snooze just about anywhere at any time – sometimes their sleeping habits change suddenly.
Age, breed, activity level and environmental conditions all impact how much your pooch sleeps. It is important to understand your dog’s sleeping rituals, as sudden changes can be a sign that something is wrong.
If your dog is sleeping over 15 hours a day, you should pay close attention to how your dog behaves while awake.
If they seem lethargic or disconnected to people and other pets, it’s time to visit your veterinarian.
Take these environmental changes into consideration when it seems like your dog is sleeping more than normal:
- New pets: If there’s suddenly a rambunctious kitten in the house, your dog may be looking for their own quiet spot to rest.
- Hot weather: Be on the lookout for signs of heat exhaustion like lethargy, excessive drooling or vomiting if your dog gets sleepier in summer.
- A schedule change: Did you recently get a new job or change your work schedule? A dog who is home alone for long periods may become bored or lonely.
- Playtime has increased: Has your pup recently started attending a new doggy daycare? Are the two of you training for a 5K together? Increases in playtime or exercise could just have your furry companion tuckered out, and it may take some time for them to adjust to the new level of exercise before they are back to their normal sleeping pattern.
If you’re concerned about your pet’s sleep patterns, track their eating, play, and bathroom behaviours along with uncharacteristic sleep behaviours.
Saying “my dog sleeps all day” isn’t enough to figure out a potential problem, so make sure that your vet has enough information to find out what’s going on.
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