It’s a fact of life for most of our canine companions: they love to sleep. There’s no question that dogs get a lot of sleep. But how much sleep is too much? Can dogs oversleep, or get too little sleep? The answer in both cases is yes. Still, our dogs sleep far more than we do, so it can be difficult to tell if your dog’s sleeping habits are off. Read on as your veterinarian Columbia, TN clears up the confusion about Fido’s shut-eye.

How much should a healthy dog sleep?

Most dogs spend the night asleep, like you, and then nap periodically throughout the day. The average healthy dog sleeps between 12 and 14 hours a day. Dogs enter rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep much faster than we do. That means they’re getting REM sleep overnight and during their daytime naps. Talk to your vet Columbia, TN to learn more about REM sleep in dogs.

So, it’s perfectly natural for your dog to sleep most of the day away, and the night as well. It’s just how their natural sleep cycle works. Still, it is possible for dogs to sleep too much or too little. Read on as your vet clinic Columbia, TN elaborates.

Can dogs sleep too much?

There are a few common reasons why a dog might sleep too much. Obesity is the most common. When a dog is carrying around a lot of extra weight, it’ll be more reluctant to get up and move around. If you think your dog is overweight, you’ll want to connect with your nearest veterinarians Columbia, TN to help Fido slim down. A tailored weight loss program that includes regular exercise and a modified diet will probably be in order.

Hypothyroidism is one medical possibility that could cause a dog to sleep more than usual. This involves malfunctioning of the thyroid gland, causing too little of the thyroid hormone to get released into the bloodstream. One symptom of hypothyroidism is lethargy or weakness. Other symptoms you might see include excessive shedding, exercise intolerance, and possible weight gain—let your vets Columbia, TN know if you spot these.

Can dogs sleep too little?

A health issue like arthritis could cause your dog to become restless and get too little sleep. In truth, any issue that causes pain, like a physical injury, could result in restlessness. Sleep apnea is another possibility. This involves tissue in a dog’s throat collapsing and causing them to jolt awake multiple times through the night or during naps. Call your veterinary clinic Columbia, TN if you suspect sleep apnea or arthritis might be affecting your pet.

What if I’m concerned about my dog’s sleeping pattern?

It’s not always easy to tell if your dog is getting too little or too much sleep. But if you’re concerned, there’s one solution that always makes sense: call your pet clinic Columbia, TN to speak with the professionals. We’ll be able to advise you on your dog’s sleeping habits and diagnose any problems if they’re found.

Set up your dog’s next office visit with your animal hospital Columbia, TN. Contact us online or give us a call to schedule your appointment.