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As a first-time pet parent, it can be scary when you first get a puppy. You want to make sure his health is OK and that he’s happy. You love your puppy and want what’s best for him!
But what happens if he seems to sleep a lot? Is it even possible for a puppy to sleep too much? If you’re asking these questions, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll take a look at why puppies sleep and whether or not they can even sleep too much, and more. Let’s get started!
Why Do Puppies Sleep So Much?
It’s very normal for a puppy to sleep a lot. Just like human babies, puppies need to sleep in order to grow and stay healthy. Most puppies sleep an average of 18-20 hours a day! And it’s not uncommon for puppies to sleep more at certain times as they grow.
Because puppies grow so fast, sleep is the way they manage. Sleep enables a puppy to cope with the developmental changes while also building a strong immune system and a healthy body.
If you’re a first-time pet parent, then it may seem like your puppy’s sleeping too much. However, the reality is that he’s probably sleeping just the right amount for him.
But how can you tell if a puppy is sleeping way too much? We’ll cover this question in the next sections of this article.
Why is my Puppy Sleeping More than Normal?
Depending on your puppy’s stage of development, he may be sleeping the right amount of time for him. In other words, your puppy’s age can determine how much sleep is normal (or not).
What are the Normal Sleeping Hours for a Puppy?
Puppies sleep quite a bit in the early part of their life. A puppy may sleep from 18 to 20 hours a day, which can include both daytime and nighttime sleeping.
When your puppy wakes up, he’s usually ready to play. He’s filled to overflowing with all the energy he stored up when he was sleeping!
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Ask a Vet Live NowWhy Do Newborn Puppies Sleep So much?
Newborn puppies (under four weeks of age) tend to sleep up to 22 hours a day. Wow! Your puppy will nurse for a while and then will sleep. That’s about all they do at this stage.
For pet parents who may be nursing their puppies, if the mother isn’t able to, then the puppies will wake up during the night. This is because they’re hungry and need to eat. Pet parents at this stage will not get much sleep! Newborn puppies need to eat about once every two hours. That’s a lot of feeding and not much sleep for pet parents.
As the puppy gets older, he will go longer in between feedings. And he will be awake a little bit more. When puppies are sleeping, it’s best to leave them alone. They need the rest when they’re little.
When the puppy is more active, then his sleeping will change.
Why Do Puppies between One Month & Three Month Sleep So Much?
Between the age of one month and three months, a puppy will become more active. He will be awake a little more, he will start barking/howling, and more. From the age of seven to eight weeks, the puppy will begin running and playing. Puppies are so much fun at this stage! However, they still require plenty of sleep to help them become healthy and strong.
So, puppies up to about three months old need about 20 hours of sleep.
Why Do Puppies Between Three Months and a Year Sleep So Much?
Between the age of three months to one year, puppies will start to sleepless. By this age, a puppy may sleep about 15 hours a day. However, the puppy’s sleeping patterns may change over this period.
Why Do Puppies of One Year and Older Dogs Sleep So Much?
When a puppy has become an adult, they usually sleep between 12 to 14 hours a day. Large breed dogs, however, may sleep up to 18 hours a day, which is completely normal for them.
What’s more, working dogs don’t require as much sleep. This because they’re working at herding cattle, protecting the farm, or even working with law enforcement or because they’re employed in other ways.
There are several factors that determine how much a dog sleeps, including:
- Diet & overall health
- Level of daily activity
- Size of dog
- Dog breed
When a dog becomes a senior, usually around the age of 7 years, they may begin sleeping more. And larger breed dogs such as Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, or Alsatians may sleep up to 18 hours a day. This is perfectly normal.
What about smaller breed dogs? Smaller dogs may sleep about 16 to 18 hours a day, which is normal for their age. Smaller dogs age a little more slowly than larger dogs, so you may not notice them sleeping more until they reach the age of 10 years or so.
How Do I Know if my Puppy is Sleeping Too Much?
The best way to tell if your puppy is sleeping too much is to monitor his awake time. How does he act when he’s awake? Does your puppy seem bright and active? Is he interested in his environment and playing with you and your other pets? Is your puppy curious and a little mischievous? If so, then your puppy is completely normal and healthy.
On the other hand, if you notice your puppy seems lethargic and tired when he’s awake, this may be a sign there’s a problem. The puppy may not be active (doesn’t want to move), seems dull, and is not interested in his surroundings. If your puppy has recently been vaccinated, then he may show these types of symptoms within 24 hours after the shot. However, if he hasn’t had a shot recently, then it’s time to call the vet.
So, there you have it! Puppies will sleep more than you think possible! But as they grow, your puppy will slowly require less sleep and become more active during his awake times.
And if you’re ever worried that your puppy is sleeping too much, then go ahead and call the vet. It may be a good idea to take your puppy in for a checkup, just to make sure he’s OK.
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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