Similar to humans, sleep is essential to all animals. They not only get the rest they deserve from a sound sleep, but it can also benefit their overall health. While humans are naturally diurnal, you might wonder if your dog is nocturnal because you might find them awake most of the time.
A dog’s sleeping pattern and schedule are mainly influenced by its owner. Dogs are neither nocturnal nor diurnal, as they are social sleepers. Your pooch will take your social cues and mostly sleep when you are sleeping or resting. This behavior in dogs makes them naturally Crepuscular as they can be either active at dusk or dawn without any challenge to their sleeping pattern or transition period.
Is Sleep Important To Dogs?
Sleep is vital to dogs, especially puppies, who have to undergo much growth and development. During the day, your dog’s brain experiences a lot of electrical activity, and the data is stored at random places. Sleep will organize this information, helping your dog learn and develop a good memory.
Sleep deprivation stunts their growth and makes them prone to illness.
How Many Hours Should My Dog Sleep?
Your furry friend is a creature of habit and will take whatever structure you create for it. This is handy when you want to create a sleeping routine for it.
It is better to instill the habit while they are still young to make it easier for your pooch to adapt. The schedule you create for your dog will give them a sense of security.
Dogs sleep more hours in a day compared to humans, and it will be best for them if they get around 12 to 14 hours of sleep. Getting up to 19 hours of sleep a day is recommended if you just brought a new pup into your home. That is why you will notice your dog sleeping through the night and still easily having random naps during the day.
Humans have a Rapid Eye Movement sleep and deep sleep routine. We go in and out of REM and deep cycles all night long for our bodies to have the chance to repair themselves, and our minds store information we capture during the day. Dogs don’t go through the sleeping cycles like humans, as they sleep lightly at all times.
This light sleeping pattern for dogs is a survival instinct as they are always alert to their surroundings. Due to this sleeping structure, it is easier for your dog to sense an intruder while both of you sleep at night. This makes them the best choice for home security, as they have been for thousands of years.
The size and breed of the dog can also influence the amount of sleep they require. A breed such as the Great Dane requires more sleeping time compared to other dogs in the same age group. Nevertheless, other big dogs, such as Border Collies, prefer to sleep fewer hours during the day.
As your furry friend ages, it will require more sleeping time to help its body repair itself.
How Can I Get My Dog To Have Better Sleep?
If you have noticed your dog turning and tossing or regularly waking up during their scheduled sleeping time, something may be affecting them. It would be best if you looked into their general lifestyle to help them sleep better. The two common problems affecting a canine’s sleep quality are stress level and exercise.
The lack of exercise during the day can play a significant role in keeping your dog awake during the night. To remedy this situation, let your pooch have adequate playtime or have a good walk to wear them out. You can also engage your dog in mental activities such as puzzles to stimulate their brain, keeping them awake and preventing long naps during the day.
You should also avoid exciting your dog with any activities before they sleep, as it might stimulate them to be active for long hours. Their prior mental and physical exercises should be enough to give your dog a good rest.
Your furry friend might need a veterinarian if your efforts do not bear fruit. The sleep issues may result from an underlying health problem your vet might diagnose. They will advise you on how to best deal with your dog’s treatment, including supplements and medication.
Final Thoughts
Dogs are definitely not nocturnal; crepuscular is the closest sleeping behavior we can group them in. Though they are social sleepers, creating a sleeping schedule for your furry friend that suits both of you is crucial.
Find creative ways to engage your dog during the day so that they easily integrate into the sleeping routine you create for them. If your older dog had a habit of sleeping through the night comfortably but barely gets any sleep anymore, consult your vet so that they look into any possible health condition.
Further Reading:
- Dog’s Sleeping Positions And Habits Tell You A Lot About Their Personality And Health