Ever wondered why your dog sleeps so much? We look at the reasons that your pet needs to snooze, discover how much sleep a dog really needs and give you some great suggestions on how to improve your dog's sleep with a quality.
Like humans, dogs need quality sleep to ensure good health and vitality. If you are already a dog owner, you probably will have noticed that your pet spends a fair amount of time sleeping each day. In fact, experts in canine behavior tell us that the average dog sleeps for approximately twelve hours daily, in comparison to humans, who sleep for around 8 hours.
The amount of sleep that a dog needs varies between individuals and takes into account their breed and size. Working dogs such as sheepdogs and German shepherds tend to sleep less than smaller breeds such as the chihuahua or Yorkshire terrier. This is simply because a dog which has a job such as guarding a property or herding livestock leads a more active lifestyle than a lap-dog which is spends most of its time indoors at home. The age of your pet will also affect the amount of sleep that he or she needs. Puppies vary between periods of high energy activity and sleep, which is important during the process of growth and learning while older dogs may also need extra rest especially after taking exercise. Another factor which may influence how well and often your dog sleeps include the environment: whether it is peaceful, what kind of dog bed your pet uses and if his dog bed is comfortable.
While a certain amount of sleeping time is normal and healthy, some dogs sleep too much. This usually occurs in cases where a dog is bored and lacking in stimulation, such as a guard dog which is kept on a chain in the yard. Even small toy breeds need to burn off energy and play. If you are concerned that your pet sleeps too much, increasing his or her activity levels by including several walks in the daily care routine is essential. Having said that, if your dog is fast asleep in his dog bed, you should avoid disturbing him as his body requires rest at this point. Waking a sleeping dog can also carry a risk factor even the most amiable pet might snap if it is woken suddenly.
To ensure that your dog benefits from quality sleep, getting the right dog bed is the answer. Dog bed designs come in many shapes and sizes, though choosing one to suit your home and pet is not difficult. The first point to consider when buying a dog bed is that it should provide ample space for your pet to stretch out and relax his or her muscles. The dog bed you choose should prevent your pet from coming into direct contact with the floor, which can be cold in winter, and should be ventilated to allow air circulation, but not be draughty. Secondly, you should look out for a dog bed design which is easy to clean a wipe-clean structure with machine-washable covers is one of the most practical types of dog bed which you can buy. You may also want to think about whether you will take your pet's dog bed if you travel some designs of dog bed are more transportable than others.