Puppy
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If you’ve recently brought a new puppy home, you may have noticed they spend a lot of time asleep! A puppy can be jumping around full of beans, then be completely wiped out and snoozing on their bellies within a matter of seconds. This may have you wondering ‘Is it normal for a puppy to sleep a lot?’ or ‘When should I be worried about my puppy’s sleeping?’
Rest assured, it’s very normal for puppies to sleep often during the day. Read on as we explain the reasons puppies need lots of shut-eye, and what to look out for when it comes to normal puppy sleep behaviours.
When you first bring a puppy home, you might be surprised by how much they sleep - but a puppy is just a baby, so needs lots of naps to regain their energy throughout the day. At this young age, their developing brains are absorbing so much information, meaning they’ll swiftly fall asleep in short bursts so their bodies can process and refresh.
Yes, it’s normal for your puppy to sleep a lot, especially when they’re much younger. How much your puppy sleeps can depend on their age, breed, activity level and overall health - however it’s generally nothing to be concerned about if you notice your puppy taking frequent naps throughout the day.
Though there are some variables between individual dogs and also specific dog breeds, dogs will generally sleep more when they’re younger to support their rapid development. Here are the typical sleep habits of puppies at different ages…
3 months. Puppies are at the height of their growth and development at this age, and typically need a ton of sleep - between 18 and 20 hours a day! Basically, their day’s mostly sleeping with short breaks for play in between. Their night time sleep’s also disrupted by frequent toilet breaks.
4 months. Daytime napping’s still big at this age - around 16 hours of sleep a day, give or take. Their awake periods, however, will start to get longer.
5 months. At 5 months, a pup’s adult sleep routine will start to kick in. They’ll still need around 14 hours of sleep a day but they might be in longer, less frequent naps. Their awake periods will last longer.
6 months. Puppies’ sleep patterns will start to mirror adult dogs at 6 months old, so they’ll sleep for 12 to 14 hours a day, mostly at night. By this age, your puppy will feel more awake during the day and need less sleep - bar a midday nap perhaps, after periods of activity. It’s also more likely they will sleep through the night without waking up to pee.
To put your mind at ease when you’re caring for your new pup, here’s what a typical day and night looks like in regards to their sleep patterns. Take the above into consideration, as age affects how many naps your dog will take.
Your pup will typically wake up early in the mornings - usually due to needing to pee! 6am or 7am is usual, and from then on they’ll take frequent naps for around 20-30 minutes each time. In between sleeps, your puppy will have periods of energy in which to play and explore.
Puppies will typically take a nap after an energetic playtime, and after eating. They’ll wake up when they’re refreshed, hungry or need to pee - which at this early stage is often!
A puppy’s erratic sleep pattern will continue through the night. Especially when they’re very young, they’ll wake up frequently for bathroom breaks. This will require a lot of patience at your end, and the understanding that these disturbed nights won’t go on forever.
Puppies often exhibit behaviours during sleep that might alarm you, but are completely normal. Twitching, jerking movements or making yappy noises or whimpers are all signs of REM sleep, the stage in which puppies dream and process the day. Let your pup sleep undisturbed during these periods - it’s important they get their rest!
As puppies love to get hours of uninterrupted shut-eye, they can become distressed if they can’t get the sleep they desperately need. You might find your puppy has difficulty falling asleep, perhaps due to getting too much excitement right before bed, or due to eating something right before sleeping which has boosted their energy.
Your pup might wake up frequently during the night - not only due to toilet breaks but bouts of separation anxiety too, or even being disturbed by disruptions like noise, lights or smells.
Just like for young humans, it’s really important your pup gets the sleep their little bodies and minds require in order to feel rested, calm and happy. Here are some strategies you can take to encourage your puppy’s peaceful sleep time.
Establish a consistent sleep routine
Just like baby (and adult!) humans, puppies benefit from a wind-down routine at the end of the day. From as early as possible, establish regular times for meals, playing, and naps. At night, make sure your puppy goes to the toilet and to bed around the same time every evening.
This predictability helps your puppy understand that it’s time to sleep, and they’ll be more likely to sleep easily. Over time, your puppy will naturally fall into this schedule, leading to longer, more restful sleep periods.
Give them enough physical activity
A puppy is energetic anyway, and their play times will probably exert a lot of energy for them. If they’re old enough, be sure they get some time outside on short walks, to use up some of that puppy energy in a healthy way that promotes rest later. Don’t over-exercise them, but give them enough for their breed so that they’re able to wear themselves out.
Consider diet and nutrition
You should hopefully be feeding your pup healthy and nutritious puppy food that’s suitable for their age range. Puppy food’s usually made with whole natural ingredients that nourish your pup and promote good sleep. On the other hand, if you treat your puppy with fatty foods or treats high in sugar, that’ll significantly impact how well they sleep.
Create a comfortable sleep environment
A peaceful and cosy sleeping environment is essential for your puppy to settle in for the night. Make a sleep space for your puppy in a quiet, cosy spot away from household noise and distractions. Some might prefer the safety and security of sleeping in a crate, while others may get more zs in a soft dog bed.
Wherever they sleep, be sure it’s warm enough but not too hot, and throw on a blanket and some favourite toys for added comfort. This designated sleep area will help your pooch associate being there with rest, which will naturally relax them.
It’s a good idea to signal to your puppy it’s time to sleep for a little while before bedtime - which will get them into ‘wind-down’ mode. You could have a special ‘bedtime toy’, bringing it out for your pooch to sleep with.
Some calming dog treats contain natural relaxants like chamomile or hemp, which have been shown to induce a sense of calm in dogs. Be sure to also take them for a toilet break right before bedtime, and adopt a soothing tone when they’re in their sleep space.
Hopefully this article has eased any concerns that your pup may be sleeping too much - however it’s still important to monitor your pooch’s sleeping in case anything could be wrong.
Be aware of any unusual disturbances in your puppy’s usual sleeping patterns, as this could mean they’re unwell. If they seem restless or they can’t relax, you may need to take them to the vet for a check over.
Also, consider your puppy’s age and check they’re sleeping the right amount for their developmental stage. If your pup is still sleeping 20 hours a day long after the 3-month mark, it’s worth chatting to a vet about this, too.
Here are some final questions you might have about your puppy’s sleeping habits…
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