What does it mean when your dog sleeps too much

Older senior dogs always sleep more than younger dogs and 20 hours or more a day of sleeping does not mean an old dog is ill. Many dog age related problems and medical conditions can cause a change in your pets Sleep life.

They will usually gain weight and will generally act more sluggish.

What does it mean when your dog sleeps too much. Stress Anxiety and Boredom. A dog that is going through psychological difficulties such as anxiety stress and boredom would sleep a lot. If your dog is stressed or feeling anxious you will notice them becoming lethargic and they will doze off often.

That said too much sleep can still be a sign of problems with your dogs health. There are a few tell-tale signs that your dog is sleeping too much. Your dogs sleep patterns have changed.

Your dog sleeps even when theres something better to do especially if that thing would. Though if your dog starts to sleep more than normal that can be a cause for concern Another cause for concern is if your pet is unable to get comfortable. This could indicate possible orthopedic issues or respiratory distress.

Below youll find a list of the most common illnesses which cause your dog to sleep too much. If it seems that your dog sick and is sleeping a lot its probably one of these issues causing it. The thyroid is a gland in the body which produces hormones that are essential for maintaining a normal working metabolism.

Health issues may also be behind why a dog sleeps all day. Hormonal imbalances and diseases like hypothyroidism can make a dog sleep more. If your dog is having trouble sleeping it might also be a sign of an illness.

Both canine cognitive dysfunction aka doggy dementia and many cases of worsening heart disease or heart failure cause night anxiety. This is where the animal does not sleep well and can seem upset and pace around in the. When your dog sleeps intermittently during the day and sleeps throughout the night it is a good sign.

It means they are getting plenty of exercise they have a well-balanced and healthy diet and they are extremely content and feel safe in their surroundings. Adult dogs sleep for 12 to 14 hours per day out of 24 hours. Puppies need more sleep than adults and can easily sleep for 18 to 20 hours per day.

Lethargy is excessive sleeping. These symptoms should last for more than a day. Traumatic and stressful events cause lethargy in dogs.

A dog sleeping more than ordinary will likewise demonstrates a reduction in food intake. For instance the dog may be experiencing age-related diseases like a kidney disappointment. A dog who rests more than usual and furthermore shows versatility issues might experience the.

If you think your dog is sleeping a lot then it is important to know how much is too much. A dogs sleep cycle on a normal day is more or less half the time. However not all sleep is the same.

Dogs will have a time period where they will sleep deeply potentially for consecutive hours. Experts at Tufts University explain that dogs like tight spaces because their wild ancestors would sleep in dens. If you and your dog sleep like this it means that hes still in touch with his.

Dogs in wild packs huddle together to sleep and as a result NextGen Dog says back-to-back sleeping is an instinctual way for a dog to show you are one of the pack. According to Dog Time back-to-back sleeping is a way for your pup to bond with you showing you that they can trust you 100. However if you think your dog is sleeping too much or their sleeping has increased rapidly for no obvious reason then consult a vet.

You should also take careful notice of any changes to their appetite and thirst level weight mood coat and skin condition eyesight and coordination. Overheating or heatstroke will cause heavy panting in dogs which can quickly lead to dehydration and death if untreated. Treating heatstroke requires emergency veterinary care.

Dogs that are overheated pant very heavily and will likely appear uncomfortable in some way. Many dog age related problems and medical conditions can cause a change in your pets Sleep life. Separation anxiety and stress can also show up in some extra daytime sleeping.

In lots of cases a dog that sleeps as long as 12 hours a day may be no cause for concerns. The more productive the dog is for example if the dog has an occupation like a police dog or therapy dog the less sleep they need. However the average unemployed dog needs more sleep roughly around 12 hours.

So how many hours of sleep your dog needs is determined by how active they are. Older senior dogs always sleep more than younger dogs and 20 hours or more a day of sleeping does not mean an old dog is ill. Theyre just tired out.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie As they age dogs can naturally sleep more but again if theyre sleeping excessively it can be an indication that they have a health problem. These dogs may have an underactive thyroid gland which can slow down their metabolism. They will usually gain weight and will generally act more sluggish.