Dog Sleep Requirements

How long should a 1 year old dog sleep?

By martin from San Antonio, TX

Answers:

Dog Sleep Requirements

Each dog is different, and the amount of sleep they get will differ throughout their lives. Unless your dog is sleeping to the point of not wanting to ever get up and play, eat, or go outside, don't worry about it. Sometimes it seems like they sleep all the time. But believe me they don't. They do get up and play, and eat, and go outside to do their business.

If your one-year old dog is sleeping an awful lot, maybe it's out of boredom. Do you have children? Do they spend time playing with the dog? If not children, then you and/or your spouse? And if you don't actually play with it, do you take it for walks?

Make sure your family spends time with the dog doing some kind of activity every day. Dogs have an almost limitless amount of energy (I always wished I could bottle it!) so as long as you are interacting with the dog, it will interact with you twice as much. But on the other hand, when it decides it's time for a nap, it's time for a nap! LOL The dog will let you know in its own way.

But if you feel it's sleeping too much, try engaging in more activities with the dog. That's all it takes. You and the dog will be much happier for the time spent together. If it is still sleeping more than you feel it should, then don't ask friends or others, ask your vet. He'll be able to tell you if there is anything to worry about and if so, what to do about it. (01/27/2010)

By Cricket