Why Sleep Is So Important For Dogs
There is nothing more comforting after a long walk with your beloved companion, than to hear the sweet sound of him or her, snoring peacefully in their bed! Knowing why sleep is so important for your dog will help you to make the best choices in terms of what dog bed to buy and how often your dog needs to rest.
Dogs on average will spend 12-14 hours sleeping per 24 hour period. This is an indication of a healthy pup and whilst some dog owners will think that their dog is being lazy, rest assured this is perfectly normal – There is a lot of work going on inside the dogs body whilst he is sleeping! Whilst the dog is sleeping, just like humans, he will have various sleep cycles which include REM ( rapid eye movement sleep) and will also enter a deep sleep where the body will start to restore and repair cells, promote growth and keep your dog healthy mentally and physically.
Not Enough Sleep?
Research suggests that a dog who does not get enough sleep, will suffer from a weakened immune system and be much more prone to illness, than those dogs who rest and sleep more frequently. Depending on the age size and breed of your dog, will depend on how much sleep he or she should have. Smaller/medium sized dogs like Bodhi, tend to need much less sleep than larger dogs, like say a Labrador or a Great Dane. Elderly dogs will spend much of the day sleeping outside of walks and exercise, this is perfectly normal and the same goes for puppies. Puppies for the first year of their lives will need sleep on a regular basis to grow and develop, much the same as human babies. This sleep is crucial for them to be able to grow and can significantly affect their behaviour, especially when needing the focus for concentration on obedience and other training.
