How Many Hours Do Dogs Sleep a Day? Chart by Age & Breed

Most adult dogs sleep 12 to 14 hours a day, counting daytime naps. Puppies need 16 to 20 hours because their bodies and brains are still building. Senior dogs drift back up to 16 to 18 hours, though their nights are usually lighter and more broken. Large breeds sleep more than small ones. Roughly three-quarters of a dog's sleep happens overnight and the rest comes in naps. Twitching, paddling, and soft barking during sleep are normal REM behavior. What matters more than the hour count is whether your dog wakes up rested, and a sudden change in either direction is worth a call to your vet.

Watch your dog for a full day and the math starts to feel strange. They sleep through the morning, nap after lunch, doze while you work, then go down for the night at nine. Dogs really do sleep more than we do, and the reason has less to do with laziness than with how canine sleep is structured.

How Many Hours Do Dogs Sleep a Day?

A healthy adult dog sleeps somewhere between 12 and 14 hours in a 24-hour period. That figure includes naps, which is the part most owners miss when they try to count. Actigraphy research on adult dogs puts the daily average closer to 11 hours, with a normal range of roughly 8 to 13.5 hours, so 12 to 14 is a comfortable planning number rather than a hard rule.

Age moves that number more than anything else does.

Dog Sleep Chart by Age

Life stage	Age	Sleep per day
Puppy	Under 6 months	18 to 20 hours
Older puppy	6 to 12 months	16 to 18 hours
Adult dog	1 to 7 years	12 to 14 hours
Senior dog	7+ years	16 to 18 hours

These are ranges, not targets. A Border Collie on a working farm and a Bulldog in an apartment can both be perfectly healthy at opposite ends of the adult band. Track your own dog's normal, then watch for changes against that baseline instead of against a chart.

Small tan dog resting with its owner, showing how much dogs sleep per day by breed size

How Much Sleep Do Puppies Need?

Puppies sleep 18 to 20 hours a day in their first few months, and it is not optional. Physical growth, immune development, and memory consolidation all happen during sleep. A puppy who is kept awake by household activity will show it, usually as nipping, poor recall, and the frantic overtired zoomies that owners mistake for excess energy.

Research following dogs through their first 12 months found that puppy sleep is spread across more, shorter bouts than adult sleep, and that most of the reduction happens at night as they mature. Practically, that means a puppy needs a quiet place to crash during the day, not just at bedtime. A crate set up as a calm den is the easiest way to protect that daytime rest.

How Much Sleep Do Senior Dogs Need?

Senior dogs swing back up to 16 to 18 hours a day, but the shape of that sleep changes. Older dogs tend to nap more during daylight and sleep more lightly overnight, waking more often and settling more slowly.

Two things drive that. Recovery takes longer in an aging body, and joint stiffness tends to feel more noticeable at night when there is nothing else competing for attention. A polysomnography study on senior dogs found that dogs with lower scores on cognitive testing spent less time in both NREM and REM sleep, which lines up with what owners describe as an older dog who is "up all night." If your senior dog's nights change quickly, that is a vet conversation, not a supplement conversation. More on supporting an aging dog's quality of life if that is where you are.

Breed and Size Affect How Many Hours Dogs Sleep

Size pulls in the direction most people do not expect. Large and giant breeds sleep more, not less. Saint Bernards, Mastiffs, Newfoundlands, and Great Danes commonly log 14 hours or more, because a bigger body spends more energy on ordinary movement and needs longer to recover from it.

Smaller, high-drive breeds like Jack Russell Terriers and Border Collies often sleep less despite being far more active, since there is simply less body to recover.

Dog Sleep Hours by Breed Size

Breed size	Typical daily sleep
Toy and small breeds	12 to 14 hours
Medium breeds	12 to 14 hours
Large breeds	14 to 16 hours
Giant breeds	16 to 18 hours

Muzzle shape matters too. Flat-faced breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers have compressed airways, which makes their sleep noisier and more fragmented. Heavy snoring, mouth breathing, or pauses in breathing during sleep are worth mentioning at your dog's next exam, since a vet can tell you whether the airway is doing more work than it should.

How a Dog's Sleep Cycle Actually Works

Dogs sleep more total hours than we do, but they get less out of each hour. A human sleep cycle runs about 90 minutes. A dog's runs closer to 20, which means they cycle in and out of sleep several times an hour and spend a much smaller share of the night in the deep, restorative stages.

That is the whole explanation for why dogs nap constantly. They are not getting more sleep than they need. They are getting the same amount in far smaller pieces.

Slow-Wave Sleep

Slow-wave sleep is the light stage that makes up most of a dog's rest. Breathing slows, muscles relax, and heart rate drops, but the dog stays easy to wake. A dog in slow-wave sleep will lift their head at the sound of a door and be fully alert in a second. This stage is the bulk of what you see when your dog is dozing next to you on the couch.

REM Sleep and Dreaming

Rapid eye movement sleep is where dreaming happens, and it is the stage most owners recognize without knowing the name. The eyes move behind closed lids, breathing turns irregular, and the paws twitch or paddle. Dogs enter REM more frequently than humans but stay in it for shorter stretches, and they spend only around 10 to 12 percent of total sleep there compared to roughly 25 percent in people.

REM is also where memory consolidation happens. In one EEG study, dogs who slept after learning a new command performed measurably better on that command a week later than dogs who did not sleep. Training and rest are more connected than most people assume.

Yellow Lab asleep in an owner's lap beside Earth Buddy Sleep Support Hemp Extract with CBN for dogs

Why Dogs Sleep in Shorter Cycles Than People

The short cycle is not a flaw. It is inherited. A wild canid needs to be able to go from asleep to fully alert in under a second, and a 20-minute cycle with a shallow average depth makes that possible. Domestic dogs kept the architecture even after they stopped needing it.

The practical consequence is that a dog can top up their sleep at almost any point in the day, which is why a dog who was clearly asleep three minutes ago can meet you at the door at full speed.

Do Dogs Sleep More at Night or During the Day?

Both, with a clear lean toward night. Adult dogs do roughly 75 percent of their sleeping overnight and pick up the rest in daytime naps, and they sleep for something like 60 to 80 percent of the hours between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. depending on the household.

Dogs are not strictly nocturnal or diurnal on their own. They are flexible, and they sync to whoever they live with. A dog in a house where everyone leaves at eight and returns at six will sleep hardest in that window and be awake and social in the evening. Change the household schedule and the dog's sleep schedule follows within a couple of weeks.

That flexibility is useful, and it is also the reason routine matters so much. A dog with no predictable rhythm has nothing to sync to.

Two Siberian Huskies resting outdoors with Earth Buddy Sleep Support CBN and Immunity Organic Mushrooms for dogs

What Normal Dog Sleep Behavior Looks Like

Most of the sleep behavior that worries owners is completely ordinary. Here is what is happening.

Why Does My Dog Twitch and Paddle in Their Sleep?

Twitching, paddling, and small muscle jerks are REM behavior. During REM the brain is highly active and the body's normal muscle inhibition is only partial, so motor signals leak through as visible movement. It looks like running because, in some sense, it is.

Puppies and senior dogs twitch more than adults. In puppies the inhibition system is still developing, and in older dogs it becomes less efficient. Neither is a concern on its own.

The line worth knowing: normal REM twitching is loose, small, and stops the moment your dog wakes. Movement that is rigid, rhythmic, involves the whole body, or continues after your dog appears awake is a different thing and deserves a same-week vet call.

Why Does My Dog Bark or Whimper in Their Sleep?

Sleep barking, whining, growling, and howling are all REM vocalizations. The dog is dreaming and the vocal cords are catching part of the signal. It usually lasts a few seconds and is often paired with twitching paws.

Let them finish. Waking a dog mid-dream startles them and a disoriented dog can snap before they know where they are. If the vocalizing is loud and frequent enough to disrupt the household every night, mention it at the next exam rather than trying to interrupt it in the moment.

Can Dogs Sleep With Their Eyes Open?

Partly, yes. Plenty of dogs sleep with their eyelids not fully closed, showing a sliver of eye or the pinkish third eyelid at the inner corner. It is common in flat-faced breeds and in deeply relaxed dogs of any breed, and it is not a sign of anything on its own.

Check it with a quick test: a sleeping dog's eyes will be unfocused and the third eyelid often visible, and they will not track your hand. If the eyes look dry, red, or crusted when your dog is awake, that is worth a vet look, since an eye that stays partly open overnight can dry out.

What Do Dog Sleeping Positions Mean?

Position is mostly about temperature and comfort, with a little bit of confidence mixed in.

On their back, legs up. The most exposed position and the most efficient way to shed heat, since the belly has the thinnest coat. Dogs generally only do this when they feel safe.
Curled in a ball, nose to tail. Heat conservation and the oldest position in the book. Protects the vital organs and holds body warmth. Common in cold rooms and in dogs who are new to a home.
On their side, legs extended. Deep, committed sleep. Muscles are fully relaxed, and this is the position where you will see the most twitching.
Sphinx pose, head up on paws. Resting rather than sleeping. The dog is dozing but ready to move, which is normal in a busy room or a new environment.
Pressed against you or another dog. Social contact and warmth. Nothing more complicated than that.

A dog who suddenly stops using a position they always used, especially one that involves curling or lying flat, may be finding it uncomfortable. That is a useful early signal to pass along to your vet.

What Else Affects How Much Your Dog Sleeps

Activity Level During Awake Hours

Physical exertion has to be paid back, and dogs pay it back in deeper sleep. Working dogs, sport dogs, and dogs with a real daily exercise routine sleep more and sleep harder than sedentary dogs of the same age and size.

The reverse is also worth watching. A dog who sleeps a lot and does very little is often bored rather than tired, and boredom sleep tends to be shallow and restless. Mental work counts as work: a sniff walk, a puzzle feeder, or ten minutes of training will settle a dog more reliably than another lap around the block.

Diet and Feeding Schedule

Food is where the energy comes from, so diet shapes the sleep-wake pattern. Balanced protein, fat, and complex carbohydrates give a dog steady energy across the day and a natural wind-down at night. Diets built on simple carbohydrates produce a spike and a crash, and the crash often lands at the wrong hour.

Feeding time matters as much as content. A consistent schedule anchors the internal clock, and a large meal right before bed can push a dog into a restless night with a middle-of-the-night bathroom trip. Fresh water should be available regardless.

Sleep Environment

Dogs need what people need: quiet, dark, comfortable, and the right temperature. Noise, foot traffic, and bright light all fragment sleep, and dogs run warm, so a room that feels fine to you may be too warm for a thick-coated dog.

Keep the location consistent. Dogs are creatures of habit and moving the bed around costs them sleep. Make sure the spot is genuinely reachable, which matters most for puppies and for older dogs with stiff joints, and clean the bedding on a regular schedule.

Daily Routine and Circadian Rhythm

Dogs run on a circadian rhythm like we do, and theirs is unusually responsive to external cues. Regular meals, walks, play, and bedtime set that internal clock. When the schedule is stable, most dogs naturally sleep while their people are out or asleep.

Disruption shows up quickly. Shifting feeding time by two hours or changing when you get home can unsettle a dog's whole night. If a change is coming, move the schedule in small steps rather than all at once.

Overall Health and Comfort

How a dog feels physically shows up in how they sleep. Stiffness, digestive upset, and stress all make it harder to settle, and dogs that are not feeling well tend to rest more, the same way people do.

Stress is the one owners most often miss, because it does not always look like stress. A dog who paces at night, resettles constantly, or wakes at every small sound is often carrying tension from the day rather than dealing with anything physical. Learning to read stress signals during waking hours usually explains the nights.

Simple Ways to Support Better Sleep for Your Dog

Four things do most of the work, and none of them cost anything.

Keep the schedule tight. Same feeding times, same walk times, same bedtime. A predictable day is the single strongest input into a dog's circadian rhythm.
Give them real exercise plus something to think about. Physical work and mental work together. A dog who has used both body and brain settles without being asked.
Protect the sleep space. One consistent spot, quiet, dark, cool, and easy to get to. Wash the bedding. Do not move it.
Wind down for the last hour. Lights down, a short potty break, no roughhousing. Dogs take cues from the room.

If the basics are in place and your dog still cannot settle at night, targeted support is the next step. CBN (cannabinol) is the cannabinoid most associated with sleep and deeper relaxation, and it works by supporting the body's natural sleep rhythm rather than by sedating. Earth Buddy's Sleep Support Hemp Extract pairs CBN with full spectrum CBD in a 4:1 ratio for that reason, so a dog rests overnight without a groggy morning. For a full comparison of melatonin, L-theanine, valerian, chamomile, and cannabinoids, see our guide to natural sleep aids for dogs.

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When to Talk to Your Vet About Your Dog's Sleep

Hours are only half the picture. The other half is whether your dog wakes up rested, and a change against their own baseline tells you more than any chart will.

Bring it up with your veterinarian if you notice:

A sudden increase or decrease in total sleep with no change in routine
Trouble settling, pacing, or repeated waking through the night
Loud snoring, mouth breathing, choking sounds, or pauses in breathing during sleep
Movement during sleep that is rigid or rhythmic, or that continues after your dog seems awake
Falling asleep abruptly during play, eating, or excitement
Sleep changes paired with appetite changes, weight change, or reluctance to move
Any noticeable shift in a senior dog's night-time pattern

None of these mean something is wrong. They mean it is worth a professional look, and a vet who has your dog's history can tell in one exam what an article cannot.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours a day do dogs sleep?

Adult dogs sleep 12 to 14 hours a day including naps. Puppies under six months need 18 to 20 hours, older puppies 16 to 18, and senior dogs typically return to 16 to 18 hours. Large and giant breeds sleep more than small ones, often 14 to 18 hours as adults.

Why does my dog sleep so much?

A dog's sleep cycle runs about 20 minutes compared to roughly 90 minutes in people, and dogs spend only about 10 to 12 percent of that in deep REM sleep. They need more total hours to get the same restorative benefit, so they make it up in naps. Sleeping a lot is normal. A noticeable increase against your dog's own baseline is what is worth watching.

How long do dogs sleep at night?

Adult dogs do roughly 75 percent of their sleeping overnight, usually 60 to 80 percent of the hours between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. The rest comes in daytime naps. Dogs sync their pattern to their household, so a dog whose people work days will consolidate more sleep into the night.

Do dogs dream?

Yes. Dogs enter rapid eye movement sleep the same way people do, and REM is where dreaming happens. The twitching paws, moving eyes, and irregular breathing you see are the visible part of it. Dogs enter REM more often than humans but stay in it for shorter stretches.

Why does my dog bark, whimper, or shake in their sleep?

These are REM behaviors. During dreaming the brain is highly active and muscle inhibition is only partial, so movement and vocalization leak through. Short bursts of twitching, paddling, soft barking, or whining are normal. Movement that is rigid, rhythmic, or continues after your dog appears awake is not, and should be checked by your vet.

Can dogs sleep with their eyes open?

Many dogs sleep with their eyes partly open, showing a sliver of eye or the third eyelid at the inner corner. It is common in flat-faced breeds and in deeply relaxed dogs, and it is not a concern on its own. If the eyes look dry or red when your dog is awake, mention it at the next exam.

Is it normal for my puppy to sleep 20 hours a day?

Yes. Puppies under six months routinely sleep 18 to 20 hours, spread across many short bouts rather than one long stretch. Growth, immune development, and memory consolidation all happen during sleep. A puppy who is kept awake by household activity often shows it as nipping, poor focus, and overtired hyperactivity.

What can I give my dog to help them sleep at night?

Start with routine, daily exercise, and a quiet, comfortable sleep space, since those solve most cases. If restlessness continues, natural options include melatonin, L-theanine, valerian root, chamomile, and cannabinoids. CBN is the cannabinoid most associated with sleep, and Earth Buddy's Sleep Support Hemp Extract combines CBN and CBD in a 4:1 ratio to support natural sleep rhythms. Talk to your veterinarian before adding any supplement, especially if your dog is on medication.