Why Is My Dog Sleeping So Much? When to Worry
In short
Dogs naturally spend much of the day asleep or resting, and puppies and older dogs sleep even more. A dog who sleeps a lot but wakes up bright, eats well and enjoys walks is usually just a good napper. What matters is change: a dog who is suddenly sleeping far more, is hard to rouse, reluctant to move or uninterested in food or play may be unwell. Very sudden weakness, collapse, pale gums or breathing difficulty are emergencies.
How much sleep is normal?
There isn't a precise figure that fits every dog, but dogs generally sleep and doze for a large part of each day, often far more than people expect. Much of this happens in short naps rather than one long stretch. How much your dog sleeps depends on:
- Age. Puppies need a great deal of sleep to grow and process everything they are learning. Senior dogs tend to slow down and rest more.
- Size and breed. Many large and giant breeds are known for being sleepy, and some working breeds rest less when there is something interesting going on.
- Activity. A long hike or a busy day at day care is often followed by a very sleepy evening.
- Routine. Dogs left alone often sleep through much of the time, and bored dogs may doze simply because nothing else is happening.
- Weather. Many dogs sleep more in hot weather and on dark winter days.
Sleepy or lethargic?
Sleeping a lot and being lethargic are not the same thing. A sleepy dog wakes easily and is themselves once up. A lethargic dog seems dull, tired or unwilling even when awake.
| Probably normal sleepiness | Possibly a sign of illness |
|---|---|
| Wakes quickly when called or at the sound of the lead | Slow to respond, or doesn't get up for things they love |
| Eats and drinks as usual | Off their food, or drinking much more or less than normal |
| Enjoys walks, then naps afterwards | Reluctant to walk, lags behind or wants to turn home |
| Sleeping more after a busy day, then back to normal | Sleeping more for several days without a clear reason |
| Comfortable, stretches out | Restless, hunched, panting or can't get comfortable |
| Gradual slowing with age | Sudden change at any age |
Possible reasons for extra sleep
Normal and lifestyle causes
- A growth spurt or busy period in puppies
- Recovering from a big day, travel or a change of routine
- Hot weather
- Boredom or not enough mental stimulation
- Ageing, with a slower pace over months and years
Health causes your vet may consider
Many conditions can make dogs tired or less keen to move. These include:
- Pain, from arthritis, an injury, dental disease or tummy problems. Dogs often hide pain by simply doing less. See how to tell if your dog is in pain
- Infection or fever
- Hormonal conditions, such as an underactive thyroid. Our page on hypothyroidism in dogs explains the signs
- Heart, lung, liver or kidney problems
- Anaemia, which can cause weakness and pale gums
- Diabetes, often with increased thirst and weight changes
- Being overweight, which makes activity harder work
- Side effects of a medicine, or recovery after an anaesthetic
- Low mood or anxiety, after a loss in the family, a house move or another big change
Only your vet can work out what is going on, so look at the whole picture rather than trying to match one sign to one cause.
What you can do at home
- Watch for a day or two if your dog seems otherwise well. Note how much they sleep, how they are when awake and whether they eat and drink normally.
- Check the basics. Look at their gums (they should normally be pink and moist), watch their breathing while resting, and feel for any sore spots, swelling or heat.
- Look at their routine. Have walks become shorter? Has their food changed? Has anything stressful happened?
- Offer gentle activity. A short sniff walk or a favourite game shows you whether they are still interested.
- Keep them comfortable. A supportive bed in a quiet, draught-free spot helps, especially for older dogs.
- Don't push a reluctant dog to exercise. If they don't want to walk, that is useful information for your vet.
When to call your vet
Contact your vet the same day if your dog:
- Is sleeping much more than usual and is also off their food, vomiting or has diarrhoea
- Is drinking or weeing much more than usual
- Seems stiff, limps, cries out when moving or struggles to get up
- Has a swollen tummy, a cough or breathing that seems faster or harder at rest
- Has lost or gained weight without explanation
- Is sleepy after a possible injury, a fall or eating something they shouldn't have
Call your vet or an out-of-hours vet immediately if your dog:
- Collapses, can't stand or is very weak
- Is difficult to wake or seems confused or unresponsive
- Has pale, white, grey or blue gums
- Is struggling to breathe
- Has a swollen, tight belly and is retching without bringing anything up
- May have eaten something poisonous. See our toxic foods list
Our guide to signs your pet needs a vet lists more urgent warning signs.
Older dogs and sleep
Senior dogs often sleep more and may rest more deeply. That on its own is normal. But stiffness, night-time pacing, confusion, accidents in the house or a loss of interest in the family are worth discussing with your vet, as many of these can be helped. Our guide to caring for a senior dog has more on keeping older dogs comfortable.
Know your dog's normal
The best way to tell if your dog is sleeping "too much" is to know what normal looks like for them. A note of their energy, appetite and walks each day makes a slow change much easier to spot. Petopedia lets you log food, water, weight and behaviour, so if your dog starts to slow down you can show your vet exactly when it began and what else has changed alongside it.
Written by the Petopedia editorial team to our editorial standards. This is general information, not veterinary advice — if you're worried about your pet, contact your vet.