Everything You Should Know about Your Dog's Sleep

Seeing their dogs sleep is one of the things dog owners enjoy the most. Knowing how you can help your pet sleep well and have everything it needs for this is vital for relaxation and good health. In this article, discover many secrets about your dog’s sleep.

What you need to know about your dog’s sleep

Discovering what a dog needs to enjoy pleasant sleep is essential. Here are some of the secrets:

• Dogs sleep more than half of the day. While humans only use a third of their time sleeping, your dog needs more. Dogs spend about 65% of their time sleeping. Of the 24 hours in a day, a dog sleeps about 15.
• Dogs need a definite place to sleep. Although a dog can sleep anywhere around the home, its bed should always be located in the same place. A space that the dog knows is his, where it can go when you scold it, when it needs to relax, or when it wants to rest. Don’t assume it can sleep anywhere.
• The bed. Although you may like your dog to sleep with you, your dog needs its own bed and, as we said above, it should always be in the same place. It doesn’t matter the type of bed you choose for your dog. The only important thing is to make sure it’s washable and comfortable for your dog. Today, there are many stores you can go to with your dog. Let it help you choose!
• Your dog’s sleep cycles. Dogs have at least three sleep cycles that are divided into three phases. The first is where brain activity decreases, but muscle strength is maintained. This means there’s no absolute relaxation. Next, comes the phase in which brain activity is intense, but there’s muscle relaxation. The animal may experience spasms or move, but it doesn’t mean it’s awake. It’s important that you respect your dog’s cycles and not wake it up, as it could cause problems.
• Sleeping problems. Just like humans, your dog may suffer from insomnia or other problems that don’t allow it to fall asleep.

Factors that may affect your furry friend’s sleep

1. Noises. Maybe its bed is in a very noisy place that doesn’t allow it to relax.
2. Separation anxiety. If your dog is still a puppy, it may miss its mother and brothers. Thus, it may not sleep well at night.
3. Disease. Perhaps your dog is suffering from a disease or condition that’s disturbing its sleep.
4. Air currents. Air doesn’t please dogs. If your dog’s bed is located in a drafty place, it certainly won’t be able to fall asleep.
5. Pain. If your dog feels some discomfort, it won’t be able to sleep well.
6. Age. As animals age, they lose their senses slowly. That can make dogs nervous and also make it hard for them to recognize where they are, which doesn’t allow them to sleep well. One trick you could use in this case is to install a lamp with a faint light your dog can use as a reference point.

If you think that your dog may be in pain or suffering from a condition, it’s best to go the vet to get help. They’ll be able to tell you what’s going on and what to do.