Evie Summers
Puppies need a lot of sleep -- anywhere from 16 to 20 hours a day. Just like human babies, sleep is critical for a puppy's cognitive and physical development. A good sleep schedule can help your puppy sleep through the night sooner. Puppies require more sleep than adult dogs to accommodate all their growth and development, including brain development, energy conservation, and immune system development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of sleep | 16-20 hours per day |
| Sleep duration | 30 minutes to 2 hours at a time |
| Sleep frequency | Very young puppies nap every hour |
| Nap frequency reduction | Frequency dwindles as they grow |
| Sleep and growth | Sleep helps accommodate growth and development |
| Brain development | Sleep helps process, remember and consolidate new information |
| Energy conservation | Sleep conserves energy needed to build bones and strengthen muscles |
| Immune system development | Sleep helps build immune function |
| Development of routine | Puppies should get into a regular habit of eating, playing, sleeping, etc. |
| Sleep and potty training | Puppies need to go out every few hours |
| Sleep and diet | Healthy dog food gives the puppy energy to grow and ensures better sleep |
| Crate training | Provides a calm, safe, and consistent environment for sleep |
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What You'll Learn
Why do puppies need lots of sleep?
Puppies need lots of sleep to accommodate their growth and development. They need downtime to repair and regenerate their bodies, which are busy building muscle, bone and tissue.
Sleep is also essential for brain development. When a puppy is awake, it is constantly learning and absorbing new information about its environment. Sleep allows their brains to process, remember and consolidate all this new information.
Sleep is also important for conserving energy levels. Puppies are very energetic when they are awake, playing, running around and exploring. Sleep helps them recharge.
Deep sleep in puppies is also good because that is when the growth hormone is released, which is an essential part of their physical development.
Puppies also need lots of sleep because they are getting used to a new routine. They are adapting to a feeding schedule, learning social skills, starting basic puppy training and learning other lessons. They need plenty of sleep to help these new behaviours and routines to stick.
The amount of sleep puppies need varies as they get older. Newborn puppies sleep around 90% of the time, or 16-20 hours per day. As they grow, they sleep less and explore more. For example, your 8-week-old pup may need as much as 20 hours of sleep daily, which will taper down to around 18 hours by 12 weeks. At 18 weeks, most pups are sleeping around 16 hours per day. By the time they are six months old, puppies will start to move to a more adult-like sleep schedule, sleeping around 12-14 hours each day.
The breed, age, diet and activity level of a puppy will also affect its sleep needs.
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How much sleep do puppies need?
Puppies need a lot of sleep — anywhere from 16 to 20 hours per day. Just like human babies, sleep is critical for a puppy's cognitive and physical development. A good sleep schedule can help your puppy sleep through the night sooner.
The amount of sleep puppies need varies as they get older. Newborn puppies sleep almost all day, around 90% of the time. As puppies' eyes begin to open and they become more active, they still need 18-20 hours of sleep each day. Puppies that are 4-12 weeks old are developing quickly and need 15-20 hours of sleep each day. From 3-6 months old, puppies will start sleeping less, requiring 14-16 hours of sleep per day. Beyond 6 months, puppies will start to move to a more adult-like sleep schedule, sleeping around 12-14 hours each day. However, this varies between different dogs.
Puppies need lots of sleep for several reasons:
- Development and growth: Puppies grow and develop very quickly, and their bodies need downtime to repair and regenerate. When sleeping, their bodies are building muscle, bone and tissue, which are essential for maintaining good health.
- Brain development: Sleep is essential for a puppy's cognitive development, helping them to process, remember and consolidate all the new information they're receiving.
- Replenishing energy levels: Puppies use up a lot of energy when they're awake, so they need sleep to recharge.
- Releasing growth hormones: Deep sleep is important for growing puppies as this is when growth hormones are released, an essential part of their physical development.
How to get your puppy to sleep at night
- Create a sleeping area: Find a quiet place near you where your puppy can relax and adjust to their new home.
- Potty breaks: Most puppies need to go out every few hours. Set up puppy pee pads when it's not possible to take them outside during the night.
- Good nutrition: Healthy dog food gives your puppy the energy they need for rapid growth and ensures they play and sleep better.
- Routines are important: Your puppy will learn a sleep schedule faster if it's part of their daily routine. Dogs, like many humans, need routines to reduce anxiety and thrive.
- Crate training: Crate training can help your puppy establish a sleeping routine by providing a calm, safe, and consistent environment for sleep.
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How is a puppy's sleep affected by its breed, age, diet, and activity level?
Puppies need a lot of sleep, typically between 18 and 20 hours a day, to support their rapid growth and development. This requirement gradually decreases as they get older, with puppies over six months old sleeping for around 12-14 hours a day. The amount of sleep a puppy needs is influenced by various factors, including breed, age, diet, and activity level.
Breed
The breed and size of a puppy can impact its sleep needs. Generally, larger breeds, such as Great Danes, tend to require more sleep than smaller breeds, like toy poodles. For example, a Great Dane puppy may sleep for up to 20 hours a day, while a toy poodle may only need 15 hours. However, it's worth noting that there can be variations in sleep requirements even within the same breed or size category.
Age
Age is a crucial factor in determining a puppy's sleep needs. Newborn puppies (0-2 weeks old) sleep almost all day, around 90% of the time. As they get older, their sleep requirements gradually decrease. From 2-4 weeks of age, puppies still need 18-20 hours of sleep each day as their eyes begin to open and they become more active. From 4-12 weeks of age, puppies need 15-20 hours of sleep per day as they undergo rapid development. At 3-6 months old, puppies start sleeping less, requiring 14-16 hours of sleep daily.
Diet
While diet may not directly impact the number of hours a puppy sleeps, it can influence their sleep patterns and habits. Puppies often feel sleepy after eating as their bodies divert energy to the digestive system. Therefore, it is common for them to take a nap after a meal.
Activity Level
A puppy's activity level can also affect its sleep. Highly active puppies may need more sleep to recharge their batteries, while less active puppies may require less sleep. It is important to maintain a balance of rest and activity for puppies, as over-exercising them can negatively impact their sleep. Excessive exercise can lead to over-tiredness, causing stress and anxiety, which can disrupt their sleep patterns and result in behavioural issues.
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How do you get a puppy to sleep at night?
Create a sleeping area
Find a quiet place near you where your puppy can relax and adjust to their new home. This could be a crate, a dog bed, or a quiet place in the house where they can nap undisturbed. Make sure it's quiet, safe, and comfortable. If you use a crate, you can put a crate cover over it to make it darker and more den-like.
Potty breaks
Most puppies need to go out every few hours. Set up puppy pee pads when it’s not possible to take them outside during the night. If your puppy is sleeping in a crate in your bedroom, you can easily carry them outside if they need to go out.
Good nutrition
Healthy dog food gives your puppy the energy they need for rapid growth and ensures your pet will play and sleep better. It's common for puppies to take a nap after eating, as energy is diverted to the digestive system.
Routines are important
Your puppy will learn a sleep schedule faster if it’s part of their daily routine. Dogs, like many humans, need routines to reduce anxiety and thrive. A bedtime routine can help your puppy establish that nighttime is for sleeping.
Crate training
Crate training can help your puppy establish a sleeping routine by providing a calm, safe, and consistent environment for sleep, and it can also keep them out of mischief in the middle of the night!
Playtime during the day
It’s crucial to make sure you’re providing enough stimulating activity and playtime during the day so that your puppy is tired by bedtime.
Going to bed after meals and a potty walk
It's advisable to go to bed about an hour after meals and an evening potty walk. Specific times don't matter; you have to build a schedule that suits you.
Consistent bedtime
Getting your puppy into a recurring routine relies on a reinforced bedtime. This is beneficial as puppies are still developing their circadian rhythm.
Peaceful sleep
Arrange a calm, quiet, and dark place for your puppy to sleep with a comfortable bed. Keep the volume down and the light low if you watch TV in bed. You may even want to use blackout shades if the room gets early morning light. The quiet and dark will be the puppy’s cue that it’s time for sleep.
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What are the signs of sleep deprivation in puppies?
Sleep is critical for a puppy's cognitive and physical development. A well-rested puppy will focus better and have a happier disposition. However, sleep deprivation in puppies can lead to stress, anxiety, aggression, and other behavioural disorders. So, what are the signs of sleep deprivation in puppies?
Firstly, it is important to note that the amount of sleep puppies need varies as they get older. Newborn puppies sleep almost all day, around 90% of the time. From 2-4 weeks old, puppies need 18-20 hours of sleep each day. From 4-12 weeks old, they need 15-20 hours of sleep each day. From 3-6 months old, puppies will start sleeping less, but they still require 14-16 hours of sleep per day.
If your puppy seems excessively tired, or they are refusing to sleep, this could be a sign of sleep deprivation. Other signs include lower appetite or activity levels, restlessness, and difficulty breathing. If you notice any of these signs, it is important to take your puppy to the vet to rule out any underlying health problems.
Additionally, it is worth considering the possible reasons why your puppy may not be getting enough sleep. For example, are they getting enough exercise during the day? Are they being kept awake by loud noises or distractions? Are they struggling to get comfortable in their sleeping area? Addressing any potential disruptions to your puppy's sleep will help ensure they are getting the rest they need.
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Frequently asked questions
Puppies need a lot of sleep, anywhere from 16 to 20 hours per day. This is because they are growing and developing very quickly, and their bodies need downtime to repair and regenerate.
Sleep is essential for a puppy's development and growth. When they sleep, their bodies are building muscle, bone and tissue, and their brains are processing new information. Sleep also helps puppies replenish their energy levels, and releases growth hormones.
The amount of sleep puppies need varies as they get older. Newborn puppies sleep almost all day, and this gradually decreases as they get older. From 2-4 weeks old, puppies need 18-20 hours' sleep each day. From 4-12 weeks old, they need 15-20 hours of sleep each day. From 3-6 months old, they will start sleeping less, needing 14-16 hours of sleep per day. After 6 months, puppies will start to move to a more adult-like sleep schedule, sleeping around 12-14 hours each day.
It's important to establish a daily routine for your puppy, including feeding, walking, playing and sleeping schedules. You should also create a sleeping area for them in a quiet place, and make sure they have plenty of opportunities for potty breaks.
