Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much? 5 Major Reasons (According to Experts)

If you live with a dog you already know they nap like it is a hobby. One minute they are chasing a ball, the next they are folded into a sunbeam and out cold. That constant dozing isn't laziness. It's normal, and there are good reasons behind it. Below I break down five major explanations vets and researchers point to, and I back them with studies and expert pages so you can read deeper if you want.

1. Dogs have different sleep patterns than people

Dogs do not sleep like we do and they have peculiar sleeping positions, according to ABeautifulMadness. Humans usually stay awake all day and sleep in one long block at night. Dogs sleep in lots of short bursts across 24 hours. Because their sleep is fragmented they need more total hours to make up for it. On average adult dogs often sleep between 10 and 14 hours a day, while puppies and seniors sleep even more. This difference in sleep architecture also means dogs spend less time in deep REM sleep than humans, so they compensate with longer overall sleep. 

2. Age and development shape how much they nap

Puppies are little snooze machines. Growing takes energy and sleep is where the body does a lot of its building work. It is not unusual for a puppy to snooze 18 to 20 hours in a 24 hour period. Senior dogs also need extra rest because they tire more easily and may have aches, metabolic changes, or cognitive shifts that lower daytime activity. Adult dogs sit in the middle, but breed size, activity level and health will shift those numbers. If your puppy is sleeping a ton, that is usually okay. If an older dog suddenly becomes dramatically more sleepy, you should check with a vet. 

3. Breed, size and natural energy levels matter

Different breeds were bred for different jobs. A working scent hound or border collie may have much more stamina and need more active time than a couch-loving companion breed. Large breeds tend to need more sleep than small breeds in many cases, partly because moving a big body burns more energy. But temperament plays a role too. If your dog is genetically wired to be calm, you will see more dozing. If you want a quick rule of thumb, you should consider activity demand. Breeds bred for sustained work tend to show different sleep-wake rhythms than toy breeds.

4. Boredom and lack of stimulation

Sometimes dogs sleep because there is literally nothing better to do. Mental boredom and low physical exercise push dogs toward naps. Dogs need both brain work and body work. Walks, play, training, puzzle feeders, even short bursts of focused activity help keep their energy up and reduce long, listless snooze sessions. If your dog suddenly starts sleeping more and seems disengaged, try adding a 20 minute training or play session each day and see if that wakes them up, literally. Expert sites often recommend ramping up mental enrichment before assuming there is a medical issue.

5. Medical reasons and mood changes

Excessive sleep can be a sign something is wrong. Infections, hypothyroidism, diabetes, pain, side effects of medications, and even depression or major life changes can make a dog sleep more than usual. Conversely, sleep problems at night and restless daytime behavior can point to cognitive dysfunction in older dogs. You need to consider the context here: a dog that always napped hard but is bright, playful during awake periods is different from one that withdraws, loses appetite, coughs, or limps. If you notice abrupt changes in sleep plus other symptoms, consult your veterinarian.

What the research says

Researchers have started to put better numbers on dog sleep. One descriptive study reported owner-reported averages for young dogs but found wide variation by age and environment. Other work from major veterinary schools has been taking more formal sleep measures to create baselines, which helps vets spot deviations linked to pain or cognitive decline. Observational studies also show dogs spend a substantial portion of nighttime hours asleep, but in short bouts, consistent with the “doze whenever” lifestyle. Those kinds of studies mean vets now have better tools to ask the right questions when sleep patterns change.

When to worry?

• Sudden, dramatic increase in sleep, especially with weight loss, loss of appetite, coughing, limping, or behavioral changes.

• Nighttime pacing, confusion, or reversed sleep-wake cycle in seniors require checking for cognitive dysfunction.

• Lethargy after routine exercise or refusal to play demands inspection for pain or systemic illness. 

4 tips to keep naps healthy

Here is how you can do it.

1. Give regular walks and short training sessions daily.

2. Rotate toys and use feeders that slow eating and add mental work.

3. Make sleep spaces comfortable but not the only place for your dog to hang out.

4. Keep a log for a few days if you think something changed, note hours asleep and any other signs, bring it to the vet. 

Dogs sleep a lot because their biology, lifestyle, breed, and health combine to make lots of short naps useful. Most of the time it is normal, even charming. But pay attention to changes, because sleep can be an early signal that something needs fixing. If in doubt, a vet visit will usually set your mind at ease.