AD // Anyone with a dog will understand the amount they sleep. I know my lovely little boy Rory absolutely LOVES to spend hours in the afternoon snoozing, upside down, with his paws in the air. In his bed, on the sofa, on my bed, my parents bed – anywhere soft and comfy and he’s all over that for an afternoon nap!
The amount of sleep and the quality of sleep that your dog gets is SO important for their general health and well-being. And considering sleep contributes to a huge part of their day and their routine, it’s not something that should be ignored or not given the utmost attention to.
Lord and Labradors are launching their incredible #SleepForDogs campaign, to encourage us to take better care of our dog’s needs around sleep, share tips and advice and learn more about what makes the perfect sleeping spot and routine for our besties!
Adult dogs need around 12-15 hours of sleep a day, split between naps and night-time. That number goes up to around 18 hours of sleep a day for puppies. So as you can see, regardless of their age, sleep is MEGA important for dogs. If they’re sleeping a lot – it doesn’t mean anything is wrong. It’s just what they do!
Dogs might sleep during the day for a number of reasons. Because there isn’t anything better to do, because they’re comfy and like to nap (like me!) or because they’re tried from exercise and being active. When your dog needs to sleep, it will. So it’s important that we, as owners, understand their needs and ensure they’re given the best quality sleep!
How can we create the perfect sleep spot and conditions for our four-legged best friends?
Try sticking to a routine
Us humans have night-time routines – our dogs benefit from them too! We often find benefit from winding down for the day, doing relaxing activities in the evening and not getting too hyped up before bed. This is definitely the same for dog’s as well. Try and ensure night time is peaceful and relaxing to set them up for a relaxing snooze!
Before bed comfort break
I don’t know about anyone else but I absolutely CAN’T sleep if I need a wee and I’m often up throughout the night to go a pee because I’m not comfortable if I don’t. Dogs can’t just get up and use the lavatory, so making sure you take them out right before bed for a last minute wee will help to make sure they don’t wake up in the night needing the loo, getting restless, waking you up and weeing on the floor!
Ensure that their sleeping space is comfortable
We as humans don’t like sleeping somewhere uncomfortable so it’s safe to say that our dog’s don’t want to either! If your dog isn’t getting comfortable or not sleeping in it’s dedicated sleeping spot, then it might be worth looking at whether it’s comfortable enough for them. Some things to consider are:
- Is your pet’s bed or crate big enough for their breed?
- Is it comfortable and cushioned?
- Is the place where your pet sleeps quiet enough for them not to be disturbed?
- Is it warm enough and away from draughts?
- Is it a peaceful space to sleep away from any sudden noises?
Ensure they stick to their dedicated sleeping spot
If you’ve covered all of the above points, then your dog should have a lovely and comfortable dedicated spot to sleep in. As tempting as it can be to snuggle with your dog, try and avoid allowing them to sleep in your bed in the night. Doing this might mean both of you end up having a restless night’s sleep and that’s no good for either of your health!
Time their dinner just right
Unlike humans, who are encouraged NOT to eat before bed, the same can’t be said for adult dogs. It’s said that dogs sleep better on a fuller stomach, so try and time their dinner for a little later in the evening. This might not be the case for puppies though, who have smaller tummies and might wake up needing the loo.
Speak to your vet if they’re struggling to sleep
If your doggo is really struggling to sleep then obviously the best thing you can do is take them to the vet. It could be a number of things affecting their sleep and it’s important to get to the bottom of it. Especially if you feel like you have all the above strategies and tips in place already and your pooch is still struggling.
Do you have any tips to add to this list? What do you do to ensure your dog gets the best sleep possible? Let me know in the comments!
Don’t forget to check out Lords and Labradors for a huge selection of beds, crates, cushions and more to ensure the best sleep possible for your four-legged friend!