Dog sleeps a lot: causes & solutions

5. Pains

Pains However, they can also be caused by things other than infections or injuries. Chronic suffering, For example, joint diseases such as arthritis or arthrosis also lead to the dog resting as much as possible.

Then he prefers to stay lying down and sleeps significantly more. Sleeping does not always mean deep sleep, as rest periods during which the dog is still conscious are also counted as this.

6. Age reasons

But you can also get a lot of sleep on Old lay. Both very young and older dogs need significantly more rest breaks than other four-legged friends.

Newborn puppies They sleep about 22 hours a day and spend the rest eating. Even puppies who are several weeks old rest for an above-average amount of 16 to 18 hours – nothing to worry about.

Something similar can be observed in the last phase of life: Dogs seniors sleep significantly more than their younger counterparts. According to a study, this is also because older dogs sleep less at night and the REM deep sleep phase is shorter. Accordingly, they need more breaks and longer rest periods overall.

7. anemia

There is significantly more reason to worry if the dog is under one anemia suffers. Then the body has too few red blood cells, which is why the disease is commonly referred to as “Anemia” designated. The organism reacts to this by “on the back burner”.

The Causes of anemia are diverse and range from easily treatable to very serious. They include:

• (Internal) bleeding, e.g. due to injuries or parasite infestation
• Malnutrition, e.g. due to dog food with too little iron
• infections and
• Tumor diseases.

If the dog is anemic, the dog will not only sleep a lot, but will also be very weak in other ways – for example, he will not feel like going for walks at all.

8. diabetes

Also for Diabetes in dogs Lethargy is a typical symptom. The four-legged friends then sleep significantly longer than usual. Unfortunately, this is a vicious circle, because if there is a lack of exercise, the weak muscles cannot optimally utilize the insulin.

This is the case for most dogs Type 1 diabetes before. The reasons are probably genetic, for example beagles and retrievers are very susceptible. Environmental influences probably also play a role.

Occasionally this also occurs Type 2 diabetes on, for example as a result of poor nutrition and permanent obesity. There are also cases in which diabetes occurs temporarily, for example as a result of hormonal changes during heat or as a side effect of medications such as cortisone preparations.

9. Hypothyroidism

The hypothyroidism, also Hypothyroidism called, is the most common endocrine (hormonal) disease in dogs.

In her case, the organ works inadequately, so that too few hormones are released. This, in turn, slows down metabolism and leads to fatigue, lethargy and increased sleep.

In most cases it is one primary hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid tissue declines for suspected genetic reasons. But destruction of the pituitary gland or – for example due to constant leash pulling on the collar – chronic injuries are also possible causes.

10. Narcolepsy

Some dogs also suffer from this neurological disease narcolepsy. What is particularly disrupted is the production of the neurotransmitter hypocretin.

Affected dogs sleep significantly more than their healthy counterparts. Sudden sleep attacks are also typical: As if out of nowhere, the four-legged friends then stay lying down and begin to sleep deeply and soundly.

Narcolepsy is primarily genetic: A large-scale experimental study with Dobermans and Labrador Retrievers found that the disease is probably transmitted in a recessive manner. It is therefore quite possible that a four-legged friend suffers from this “sleeping sickness” without there being any known cases in the family history.

11. Symptom of poisoning

But be careful: a sudden apparent need for rest can also manifest itself as a phenomenon poisoning turn out. Many substances that are toxic to dogs have an effect on the nerves, similar to an anesthetic.

Even with a dose that is not (yet) lethal, the animals often appear weak or at least temporarily lose consciousness. This is a very dangerous condition, Because at the same time, the four-legged friends can also have seizures and suffocation attacks.

12. Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular diseases Unfortunately, they are also common in many dogs. A typical symptom is then fatigue combined with a significantly increased need for sleep.

This is mainly because the heart then only pumps blood weakly and/or irregularly. The Oxygen supply is reduced and the dog is less resilient.

Most common among four-legged friends Heart muscle weakness and Heart valve defect. The diseases are often genetic, but in some cases they are also acquired – for example due to chronic obesity. Other symptoms often occur, such as a strong cough when taking breaks (also called “cardiac cough”).

13. Organic diseases

There are also various others organic diseases, which can cause the dog so much trouble that they have an increased need for sleep. These include, among others:

• Liver diseases
• Kidney disease
• Problems with the pancreas, such as pancreatitis
• Cushing's syndrome and
• Tumor diseases.

14. boredom & stress

When we humans bored, We often get tired quickly and therefore sleep faster. Why this is the case has not yet been sufficiently clarified, but a similar phenomenon can be observed in dogs: If the animal is not physically and/or mentally exercised, it withdraws more often and sleeps more.

But that can also be the case stress happen. The four-legged friends then sleep worse. If they keep waking up, they try to compensate for this lack by resting throughout the day. An increased heart rate can also contribute to the need for more naps.

15. Malnutrition

And finally one can incorrect diet lead to the dog needing significantly more sleep than usual. The four-legged friend is often not provided with enough nutrients. This can affect important vitamins and minerals, such as iron, but a lack of proteins also deprives the animal of energy.

In addition to an incorrectly composed variety, other factors can also be responsible for deficiency symptoms: Endoparasites For example, they live in the intestines and eat parts of the food that is actually intended for the dog. Also Feed intolerances sometimes lead to food not being utilized optimally.