How much should a dog sleep? Hours for adults and seniors

Most adult dogs sleep 8–13.5 hours in 24, just under 11 hours on average (VCA Animal Hospitals, Sleep Foundation). Senior dogs need about 12–15 hours (American Kennel Club), and some large and giant breeds sleep up to 18 hours a day even in middle age. Some sources put adults a little higher, at 12–14 hours (Dogs Trust, Zoetis Petcare); both ranges describe healthy dogs. What matters more than the exact number is a change in your own dog's pattern. Puppies are a different story: see how much a puppy should sleep.

Dog sleep hours by life stage

When does "senior" start? It depends on size. The AKC says large breeds such as Great Danes count as seniors at around 6 years, small breeds such as Chihuahuas not until about 7–10. The senior dog sleep changes guide covers what shifts in those years.

Adult dog8–13.5 h

Senior dog12–15 h

Large and giant breedsup to 18 h

Warning signover 20 h

06121824 h

Life stage	Sleep per 24 hours
Adult dog	8–13.5 h
Senior dog	12–15 h
Large and giant breeds	up to 18 h
Warning sign	over 20 h

Sources: VCA Animal Hospitals and the Sleep Foundation (adults), American Kennel Club (seniors, large breeds and the 20-hour warning sign), as in the table above.

How the hours are spread over the day

Dogs don't sleep in one block. The Sleep Foundation says adult dogs usually sleep 60–80% of the hours between 8 pm and 8 am, depending on their surroundings and their owner's schedule, and may spend up to 37% of the daytime asleep. So a dog that dozes through the afternoon while you work is not necessarily sleeping too much; it is fitting its naps around a quiet house.

A practical way to read your dog's day: a long night, a nap or two after walks and meals, and a dog that is alert and interested when it is awake.

What changes how much a dog sleeps

• Age. The Sleep Foundation calls age the factor with the greatest impact. Puppies and seniors sleep the most, and the AKC says a growing need for sleep is often a normal part of ageing.
• Size and breed. Large and giant breeds sleep more (AKC). Dogs with very short muzzles, like bulldogs, are more prone to sleep apnoea, according to the Sleep Foundation, which can break up their sleep.
• Activity. A long hike, a busy day with visitors or a hot day all produce a sleepy dog the next day. That's recovery.
• A quiet house. Dogs that are home alone tend to sleep through it. In Sweden, Jordbruksverket advises letting an adult dog out at least every 6 hours during the day, and puppies and older dogs more often, so long days alone shouldn't simply be slept away.
• Health. Pain, kidney disease, an underactive thyroid, heart disease and cognitive decline can all change sleep (AKC).

Signs your dog's sleep needs a vet check

VCA Animal Hospitals point out that total hours vary too much from day to day to be the whole answer. Look at behaviour instead. Talk to your vet if your dog:

• sleeps more than about 20 hours a day, or its pattern has clearly changed (AKC);
• no longer wakes for its favourite things, like the treat bag or the lead;
• chooses sleep over meals or play;
• seems groggy or listless when it is awake;
• has other symptoms as well, such as vomiting, coughing or hair loss (VCA);
• is restless at night, paces or can't get comfortable, or sleeps all day and is awake at night. In older dogs this day–night swap can be a sign of cognitive dysfunction; senior dog sleep changes explains it.

The full checklist, and what to tell the vet, is in why is my dog sleeping so much?.

Know your own dog's normal

Because the healthy range is so wide, the most useful number is your own dog's baseline. Log when your dog settles and when it wakes for a week or two, and you'll know its usual nights and naps. Then a change, up or down, stands out, and you can show your vet real numbers instead of a guess. DogsLife keeps that sleep log with a tap, next to walks, meals and toilet trips.