Vet settles debate on how many hours sleep your dog really needs | UK | News

A veterinarian has settled the debate about how much sleep your dog really needs. According to experts, this number is actually quite high, especially for puppies and older dogs. Dogs are very different creatures from humans, and many things differ when it comes to nutrition and sleep. For example, there are many foods that are completely safe for humans and can be lethal to dogs. Dogs are incredibly different from us and have very different needs when it comes to sleep.

Dog experts at pet health company NutraVet determined exactly how much sleep your dog needs based on his age. This way, dog owners don’t have to worry when they notice their dog wandering around and falling asleep during the day. Dogs actually need much more sleep than humans, so it’s quite normal for them to fall asleep at various times throughout the day and this is no cause for concern. “The amount of sleep a dog needs can vary depending on its age, breed, activity level, and overall health,” experts explained in a recent blog post.

They revealed that puppies need the most sleep. After that, older dogs need a significant amount of sleep time during the day.

Even standard adult dogs need much more sleep than humans. NutraVert breaks this down based on the age of the dog. In general the following applies:

• Puppies need 18 to 20 hours of sleep a day.
• Adult dogs need 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day.
• Older dogs need 14 to 16 hours of sleep a day.

Of course there are more details to consider, but the above is a good starting guide. When it comes to adult dogs, for example, smaller breeds tend to be more active and only need 12 hours of sleep a day.

Meanwhile, larger breeds may have more relaxed temperaments and need close to 14 hours of sleep per day.

‘Senior dogs’ refer to dogs over the age of 7 who need more sleep. Although 14 to 16 hours of sleep a day is normal, some may need even more.

“Their energy levels drop and they may experience joint pain or other health issues that require additional rest,” veterinary experts explain. “Senior dogs may also be waking up more frequently throughout the night, disrupting their sleep patterns.”

In addition, their sleeping areas should be warm and comfortable, and their beds should be soft and padded so that they can sleep comfortably.