How many hours does a dog sleep? A healthy, adult dog typically sleeps between 12 and 14 hours over the course of a day, when you add up its night-time sleep and the many little naps throughout the day. That sounds like a lot to us, who manage on seven or eight hours, but it is completely normal for a dog. The need is far from the same for all dogs, and it varies with life stage, breed, activity level and the individual dog's temperament. A puppy and a senior dog both have a markedly greater need for sleep than an adult dog in its prime, and that is precisely why there is no single number that fits everyone.

The important thing is to know your own dog's normal pattern. When you know how your dog usually rests, you can far more quickly notice if something changes - and that is often a better guide than the number of hours in itself.

How a dog distributes its sleep over the day

A dog does not sleep in one long stretch like us. It spreads its sleep out over the entire day in a mix of night-time sleep and short naps, and many of them are quite shallow. A dog wakes easily, checks its surroundings and settles down again, and this is a completely natural inheritance from its past as a predator that needed to be able to react quickly. Only a smaller portion of the total sleep is the deep, restorative sleep, where the body truly recharges and where the brain processes the day's impressions.

That is why it can seem as though the dog rests almost all day when you are home. In reality, much of it is light dozing, where the dog still keeps track of sounds and movements around it. A dog that is allowed to rest undisturbed when it needs to is a dog that thrives better - both in mood and in everyday life.

How much does a puppy sleep?

A puppy sleeps far more than an adult dog, and there is a good reason for that. The puppy is growing, forming new connections in the brain and processing all the new impressions that pour in every single day. That work largely takes place while it sleeps, which is why it is completely normal for a puppy to sleep 18 to 20 hours a day. It can fall asleep in the middle of play, and it must be allowed to do so.

One of the most common mistakes new puppy owners make is keeping the puppy awake and active for too long, because it seems so lively and playful. An overtired puppy often becomes restless, nippy in play and hard to settle, precisely because it lacks rest. The framework around sleep, food and security are closely linked in this phase, and at ESSENTIAL FOODS we have gathered our advice in our Puppy Universe, where you will find thoughtful guidance directly from us for the first important months. Precisely because the puppy grows so quickly, food matters a great deal for both energy and recovery, and the BEGINNING series is created for the finest start with luxurious, grain-free puppy meals made from fresh produce, human-grade ingredients and carefully selected local and regional delicacies, entirely without grain and unnecessary fillers.

The sleep needs of a senior dog and in the golden years

As the dog gets older, its need for sleep increases again. A senior dog typically sleeps more than it did as an adult, often around 16 to 18 hours a day, because the body needs longer to recover after activity. This is a natural part of the dog's senior years, and an extra nap during the day is rarely anything to worry about in itself.

In the golden years, much of it is about making everyday life safe and comfortable. A soft, quiet resting spot away from draughts and traffic in the home helps the senior dog get the deep sleep it needs. A diet adapted to the life stage supports well-being and a stable energy level, and our senior meals are composed with the senior dog's everyday life and well-being in mind. If your older dog's sleep changes markedly over a short period, or it seems confused at night, it is worth discussing with your vet.

What affects how many hours a dog sleeps?

In addition to age, there are several things that determine how much the individual dog sleeps. Activity level plays a major role. Dogs with a high activity level, that work, train or are very physically challenged during the day, need thorough rest afterwards to recharge. Dogs with a more moderate everyday life often spread their rest evenly throughout the day in many small naps.

Breed also matters. Large breeds and heavy dogs often rest more than small, brisk dogs. Add to that temperament, weather, season and how much mental stimulation the dog gets, because a dog that is bored often sleeps more for lack of anything else to do. Finally, food matters more than many people think. A meal that provides a stable and even energy level rather than rapid fluctuations helps the dog to a calmer and more continuous rest. If you want to know what best suits your particular dog's life stage and needs, you can always reach out to our nutrition advisers, who are ready by phone, chat or email to guide you on feeding, food and nutrition.

When is a dog's sleep a sign of something you should react to?

Although a lot of sleep is normal, it is worth keeping an eye on sudden changes. If your dog begins to sleep markedly more or less than usual without a clear explanation, or if it changes behaviour, appetite or energy at the same time, these are signals you should not ignore. A dog that cannot settle and rest properly, or that seems restless and uneasy around the clock, is also telling you something.

Here the rule of thumb is that it is the change in your dog's usual pattern you should notice, more than the exact number of hours. If you are in doubt, or if you are worried about your dog's health, it is always a vet you should contact for an assessment. Our nutrition advisers can help you find the right meals for your dog's life stage and needs, but they are not a substitute for the vet's assessment when it comes to health.

Good rest often begins at the bowl

Sleep, activity and nutrition are closely linked in a dog's everyday life. A dog that moves an appropriate amount, is mentally stimulated and is given meals that provide it with a stable energy level has the best conditions for resting well and waking up alert. At ESSENTIAL FOODS, all our dog meals are prepared from fresh, exquisite produce and composed with care for the dog's well-being throughout its whole life, from the first puppyhood to the golden senior years. If you know your dog's normal sleep pattern and give it the calm, movement and nourishment that suit its life stage, you have already given it one of the best foundations for a healthy and well-rested everyday life.