Miya Pearson
Newborn puppies sleep a lot—up to 22 hours a day, in fact. This is completely normal and necessary for their development. As they get older, they will start to sleep less and spend more time awake, running around and exploring. However, puppies still need a lot of sleep—more than adult dogs—and it's important to establish a healthy sleep routine for them. If you notice any sudden changes in their sleep patterns, this could be a sign of an underlying health problem and you should consult your vet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is it normal for newborn puppies to sleep a lot? | Yes, it is normal for newborn puppies to sleep a lot. In fact, newborn puppies sleep more than 22 hours per day on average. |
| Reasons for newborn puppies sleeping a lot | Newborn puppies sleep a lot because they are in a rapid growth stage, and sleep is essential for their development. Sleep helps in the development of their brain and nervous system, growth of muscles, and strengthening of their immune system. |
| Routine and sleep | Establishing a routine for puppies is important as it helps them get into a rhythm and understand that there is a time and place for everything. A routine in their daily activities will also help them sleep better. |
| Sleep patterns and health | While it is normal for newborn puppies to sleep a lot, sudden changes in sleep patterns can be a cause for concern. If a puppy seems excessively tired or refuses to sleep, it may indicate an underlying health problem. |
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What You'll Learn
Newborn puppies sleep a lot because they're growing and developing
Sleep is a critical component of a puppy's healthy development. When your puppy is sleeping, its body is working hard to assist in both physical and mental development. During sleep, a puppy's brain and nervous system develop important neurological pathways, their muscles grow, and their immune system fortifies itself against harmful invaders. Deep sleep is especially beneficial for growing puppies, as this is when growth hormones are released, an essential part of their physical development.
Puppies also sleep a lot because they're expending a lot of energy when they're awake. Puppies are full of energy when they're awake, constantly playing, running around, and exploring. All of this activity burns a lot of energy, and sleep is the ideal way to recharge. Puppies can also feel sleepy after eating, as digestion requires a lot of energy.
It's important to establish healthy sleep habits for your puppy from the beginning. This means helping your puppy get into a regular routine of eating, playing, going to the toilet, going for walks, and sleeping. This will help them get into a rhythm and understand that there's a time and place for everything. It's also important to provide your puppy with a safe, comfortable, and quiet space to sleep undisturbed.
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Daytime napping is normal for newborn puppies
Newborn puppies need a lot of sleep, and it's completely normal for them to nap during the day. In fact, they spend almost the entire day snoozing, sleeping for around 22 hours or even more per day on average. That's around 90% of their time!
Sleep is a critical component of a puppy's healthy development. While they sleep, their body is hard at work, with their brain and nervous system developing important neurological pathways, their muscles growing, and their immune system fortifying itself. Deep sleep is good for growing puppies, as this is when the growth hormone is released, an essential part of their physical development.
Puppies can also feel sleepy after eating, as digestion requires a lot of energy. It's very common for puppies to take a nap after eating.
It's important to establish a healthy sleep routine for your puppy. This means getting them into a regular habit of eating, playing, going to the toilet, and sleeping. This helps them get into a rhythm and understand that there's a time and place for everything. It also helps them learn healthy sleeping habits and get enough exercise and socialization.
While it's normal for newborn puppies to sleep a lot, there are some behaviours that might indicate a problem. If your puppy seems excessively tired, lethargic, or is refusing to sleep, it may be a sign of an underlying health issue. Keep a close eye on their sleeping patterns and any sudden changes, and speak to your vet if you're concerned.
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How to establish a healthy sleep routine for newborn puppies
Newborn puppies sleep a lot—anywhere from 18 to 22 hours per day. As they get older, they will need slightly less sleep, but puppies up to 3 months old still need to sleep for 12 to 16 hours each day.
Create a safe and comfortable sleeping space
Make sure your puppy has a safe, warm, and comfortable space where they can sleep undisturbed. A properly sized crate is useful for sleep training, as it provides a quiet and safe place for your puppy to rest. Place the crate in your bedroom for at least the first few weeks so that your puppy feels safe and not alone in a new environment.
Establish a regular routine
Puppies benefit from a regular, predictable routine of mealtimes, walks, toilet trips, and playtimes. This helps them get into a rhythm and learn healthy sleeping habits. For example, you can feed your puppy three times a day, planning their mealtimes around your own breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Set a bedtime
A set bedtime makes your puppy's adjustment and house training easier. It doesn't matter if it's 8 pm or midnight, as long as it becomes a routine. Make sure your puppy has eaten their last meal of the day at least three hours before bedtime, to give them enough time to digest and use the bathroom before bed.
Be consistent
Consistency helps solidify behaviours better than variety. In the early stages, don't mix up routines too much, and stick to a schedule. The sooner you set a schedule, the sooner your puppy will adjust to their new family.
Provide opportunities for play and exercise
Puppies need plenty of opportunities for play, socialisation, and exercise during their waking hours. Playtime and training sessions can be repeated in the afternoon to provide an outlet for energy and reinforce desirable behaviours.
Socialise your puppy
Socialising your puppy is an important step in raising a balanced and happy dog. Get everyone in the household involved in your puppy's routines to help provide social stimulation and ensure their needs are met.
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Signs of potential problems with a newborn puppy's sleep schedule
It is normal for newborn puppies to sleep almost all day, around 90% of the time. As they grow older, they will need less sleep, with puppies between 3 and 6 months old requiring 12 to 16 hours of sleep per day.
- Sudden changes in sleep patterns: If your puppy seems excessively tired or is refusing to sleep, it may indicate an underlying health problem.
- Restlessness: If your puppy is restless and has trouble settling down, even when they should be sleeping, it could be a cause for concern.
- Difficulty breathing: Breathing difficulties could be a sign of respiratory problems or allergies.
- Disinterest in food or play: If your puppy is not interested in playing or eating, it could be a sign of illness or underlying health issues.
- Lethargy: If your puppy is lethargic or disengaged during their waking hours, it may be a sign that they are not getting enough sleep or could indicate a health issue.
- Chewing and unruly behaviour: If your puppy starts chewing things they normally don't or becomes unruly, it could be a sign that they are overtired and need a nap.
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How much sleep newborn puppies need
Newborn puppies need a lot of sleep, and this is completely normal. In fact, newborn puppies sleep more than 22 hours per day on average, or around 90% of the time. They will spend most of the day and night napping between feeds as they can't walk or play yet and need their mother's milk at least every 2 hours.
As puppies' eyes begin to open, they start becoming more active, but they still need 18-20 hours of sleep each day. Puppies are developing quickly during this stage, and sleep is essential for their physical and mental development. Deep sleep is good for growing puppies as this is when the growth hormone is released, an essential part of their physical development.
As puppies get older, they will begin to spend longer periods of time awake and running about. This is the best time to start giving your puppy a sleep schedule. Puppies should have several naps during the day and a full night of sleep. A good time to follow is to let them sleep every hour if needed. You should also establish a routine that will encourage the puppy to relax and settle down at a certain time.
While it's normal for puppies to sleep a lot, there are some behaviours that should raise a red flag. If your puppy seems excessively tired, or they're refusing to sleep, it may be a sign of an underlying health problem. Restlessness, difficulty breathing, lethargy, and disinterest in food or play could also be causes for concern.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is completely normal for newborn puppies to sleep a lot. Newborn puppies sleep more than 22 hours per day on average, and they spend most of the day and night napping between feeds.
Newborn puppies sleep almost all day, around 90% of the time, which is more than 20 hours per day.
Puppies need a routine. This means they should get into a regular habit of eating, playing, going to the toilet, going for a walk, and of course, sleeping. If your puppy appears healthy and playful when awake, they are likely getting the sleep they need for healthy growth and development.
