From the moment our puppy was old enough to bark at cars and follow us into the house, we’ve been on a quest for the perfect dog bed. We didn’t care how much it cost or if it would fulfill our dog’s every whim; we just wanted something that he could nuzzle and cuddle into at night. Unfortunately, as with most things in life, there are a lot of misconceptions about how much dogs should sleep and what kind of beds they should be sleeping on. We’ll address common myths and misconceptions about getting your dog the proper amount of sleep, as well as give you some tips on how to make sure you’re meeting his nightly needs!
Myth 1: A Dog Needs Seven to Eight Hours of Sleep a Day
Not everyone’s dog gets the seven to eight hours of sleep every day that he’s supposed to. He likely does, but many dogs don’t. There is no exact science behind how long a dog should manage to sleep, but generally speaking, he should get at least six hours of shut-eye. The average adult needs between seven and nine hours of sleep, while a child needs between six and nine hours. As for breed differences, some breeders claim that small breed dogs require less sleep than larger breeds, but research doesn’t support this. Sleep research has shown that the average dog sleeps between six and eight hours, not seven or eight.
Myth 2: A Dog Can’t Digest or Walk Too Much
Digestion is the process by which food is broken down and broken down again within the body to create energy. This is what happens when our dog eats. Although walking and exercise may seem like a dog’s natural activity, they need to sleep for the body to function at its best. A dog’s natural movement is when he’s asleep. While he’s eating or walking, he can’t generate the energy that he needs to break down his food. When we walk or exercise a dog too much, we’re increasing his workload and taking away valuable sleep time. We could try limiting our dog’s physical activity, but that only makes matters worse. A dog’s sleep schedule will almost certainly be disrupted by changes in his activity level, whether it be from changes in weather, a schedule change, or a family emergency. The key here is to plan and put the dog’s needs first.
Myth 3: Putting Your Dog to Bed Is Overkill
Let’s face it: putting your dog to bed is like shoving a log in front of a fire. He’s going to burn himself out eventually, whether through inactivity or anxiety. We know that it’s easier to justify “putting him to bed” when it’s just a “click” away, but really, he needs to sleep. If he’s not getting enough sleep, he’s going to be more stressed and his sleep needs will be up. If we overdo it, he’ll just end up exhausted and grumpy! A great compromise is to put your dog bed on a soft bed. A dog’s sleeping surface should be firm enough to support his body, but soft enough to provide him comfort. A dog’s bedding should be changed out every few months to prevent a build-up of excessive hair, which can cause allergies or skin issues.
As we continue to grow as a canine species, it can be easy to forget how special our companions are. With that, comes the responsibility of properly caring for your dog. As with anything in life, finding the
the right balance between work and play is the key to keeping your pup happy and healthy. Exercising your canine can be as important as exercising your own body. When it comes to getting your dog the proper amount of sleep, many myths and misconceptions need to be cleared up. Getting your dog the appropriate amount of sleep is important, but it’s just as important to make sure that he’s safe and sound during the night. A dog’s sleeping schedule should be monitored closely, and any changes observed for a short period so that you can correct any issues before they become issues that become life-threatening.
Rumble Video
