How Much Do Puppies Sleep? How to Find the Ideal Puppy Sleep Schedule

When you think of puppies, you generally think of them curled up in a little ball, sleeping peacefully. But how much do puppies sleep? Is there an optimal amount of time? It’s important to know how much is too much so that you can pick up if there is something wrong with your puppy.  

It’s also essential that you ensure your puppy is getting enough sleep every day. This is because sleep plays a vital role in your pup’s development. Everyone wants their puppy to grow up to be happy and healthy, so you need to make sure it’s getting all the help it can get.

Here’s everything you need to know about how much sleep your pup needs, and everything you can do to facilitate a healthy sleep schedule for your furry friend. This will aim in bringing them up to be a well-behaved dog.

Why Do Puppies Need Lots of Sleep? 4 Reasons

As you all know, puppies are full of energy. It seems like they’re always running around, playing, and exploring. But did you know that puppies actually spend most of their time sleeping? In fact, puppies sleep 18 to 20 hours a day!  

This may seem like a lot, but it’s essential for their development. Just like human babies, puppies need a lot of sleep in order to grow and develop properly. It also gives the body time to rest and heal from any damage or stress that has been put on it during the day.

1. To Conserve Energy

Puppies need a lot of sleep to conserve their energy. This is because they are constantly growing and developing, which takes a lot of energy. By sleeping for long periods of time, puppies can store up their energy so that they can use it when they need it most.

2. For Their Brain to Develop

Puppies also need a lot of sleep so that their brains can develop. When puppies are born, their brains are only about one-quarter of the size of an adult dog’s brain. During sleep, a puppies brain is able to process information and create new connections. This is essential for a puppy’s development as it helps them to learn and remember things.

3. To Heal and Repair Their Bodies

Puppies also need sleep so that their bodies can heal and repair any damage that may have been done during the day. When puppies sleep, their bodies release a hormone called growth hormone, which helps to repair tissue damage and promote cell growth. This is why it’s important for puppies to get plenty of sleep so that their bodies can grow and develop properly.

4. To Develop Their Immune System

Puppies also require sleep to develop their immune function. This is because sleep regulates the puppy’s immune system. When puppies are born, their immune systems are not fully developed, so they are more susceptible to infections and diseases.  

During sleep, the body produces cytokines, which are proteins that help to fight off infection and disease. Therefore, by getting enough sleep, puppies can help to develop their immune function and reduce their risk of becoming sick.

How Much Do Puppies Sleep?

Puppies need different amounts of sleep during the various stages of their development. You should ensure your puppy is getting the right amount of sleep for their age so that they grow up happy and healthy.  

• 8-Week-ld Puppies: 14 to 18 hours
• 3-Month-Old Puppies: 12 to 14 hours
• 6-Month-Old Puppies: 10 to 12 hours
• 9-Month-Old Puppies: 8 to 10 hours
• 1-Year-Old Puppies: 6 to 8 hours

Are Puppies Capable of Sleep Through the Night?

Puppies are not able to sleep through the night like adult dogs. This is because they need to wake up frequently to urinate and defecate. Puppies also need to eat more frequently than adult dogs, so they will usually wake up during the night to have a meal.

For this reason, it’s important that you don’t expect your puppy to sleep through the night until they are 6 months old or older.

How to Encourage Your Puppy to Sleep Through the Night

Everyone wants their puppy to sleep through the night, so there are a few things you can do to help them:  

1. Set a regular sleep schedule: Make sure your puppy goes to bed at the same time every night and wakes up at the same time every morning. This will help to regulate their internal clock and make it easier for them to sleep through the night.  

2. Keep their sleeping area quiet and dark: Puppies should sleep in a quiet and dark place so that they can get the best quality of sleep. A crate or dog bed in a quiet room away from any noise or light sources is ideal. These could be considered to be new dog essentials.

3. Exercise them during the day: A tired puppy is a sleeping puppy. Be sure to give your puppy plenty of exercise during the day so that they are tired by bedtime.  

4. Put them on a bedtime routine: A bedtime routine will help to signal to your puppy that it’s time for sleep. This can include brushing their teeth and going for one last potty break.  

With these tips, you can help your puppy to get a good night’s sleep and sleep through the night.

Setting Up a Sleep Schedule for Your Pup

In order to get your puppy’s sleep schedule to align with your lifestyle, there are things you can do to encourage sleep at different times of the day. Here’s exactly what you should be doing to create a good sleep schedule for your puppy.

1. Make Sure Your Puppy has a Comfortable Sleep Environment

The first step to getting your puppy to sleep through the night is to make sure they have a comfortable sleep environment. This means creating a space that is quiet, dark, and warm.  

Puppies often feel safe and secure in small, enclosed spaces, so a puppy crate is often the best option. Just ensure that the crate is big enough for your puppy to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.

2. Allow Your Puppy to Hydrate Before Bed

It’s important to ensure your puppy is well hydrated before they go to bed. This means giving them plenty of water to drink throughout the day and avoiding strenuous exercise in the evening. You should also take your puppy out for a final potty break before they go to bed so that they don’t have to wake up in the night to relieve themselves.  

If you notice your dog panting and being restless, it could be because they aren’t getting enough water. If your dog is refusing to drink their water, be sure to head to the vet to make sure your pup is still in good health.

3. Allowing for Potty Breaks

As mentioned above, puppies need to urinate and defecate frequently. This means that they will likely wake up several times during the night to relieve themselves. To avoid this, you should take your puppy out for a potty break before they go to bed and make sure they have access to a designated potty area in your home.  

If your puppy does wake up in the night to relieve themselves, you should take them outside immediately so that they can finish and then return to their sleep environment.

4. Establish a Pre-Sleep Routine

You can help your puppy wind down for sleep by establishing a pre-sleep routine. This can include things like turning off the lights, playing soft music, and giving them a small treat. Doing these things will help your puppy associate sleep with positive experiences.

5. Healthy Meals Encourage Better Sleep

A nutritious diet is an important part of ensuring your puppy gets enough rest. Puppies need plenty of calories and nutrients to support their growth and development, so it’s important to feed them high-quality food. You should also avoid giving your puppy any table scraps or food that is high in fat and sugar as this can lead to obesity and health problems.  

If you are worried that your puppy is not getting the nutrients it needs from its meals, then be sure to add some of the best dog vitamins to your dog’s diet. This will ensure that there are no essential nutrients that your pup is missing out on, giving them the best chance at growing up healthy.

6. Exercise Helps Puppies Sleep Soundly

Puppies need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and sleep soundly. Exercise helps puppies burn off excess energy and promotes a sense of calmness. You should take your puppy on walks or runs several times a day to get them the exercise they need. Avoid exercising your puppy too close to bedtime as this can make it difficult for them to settle down and sleep.  

Just ensure that you do not over-exercise your puppy as this can lead to problems such as hip dysplasia later on in life. When you do take your puppy for a walk or run, make sure you do not run them for more than 15 minutes at a time.

7. Sticking to a Routine

Puppies thrive on routine and predictability. This means that it’s important to stick to a regular sleep schedule as much as possible. This will help your puppy know when it’s time to sleep and make it easier for them to settle down at night. Try to put your puppy to bed at the same time each night and avoid letting them nap for too long during the day.

Does Your Pup Get too Much Sleep?

While it’s important for puppies to get plenty of sleep, it’s also possible for them to get too much sleep. This can happen if puppies are not given enough exercise or stimulation during the day. Puppies who sleep too much can become lethargic and gain weight.

If you think your puppy is sleeping too much, talk to your veterinarian about ways to increase their activity level.

Signs Your Puppy is not Getting Enough Sleep?

Not all puppies sleep as much as others. Some puppies may only need 10-12 hours of sleep per day while others may need up to 18 hours.

If you think your puppy is not getting enough sleep, there are some signs you can look for, including:  

• Yawning and stretching more than normal  
• Appearing tired or sluggish  
• Difficulty focusing or being easily distracted  
• Excessive chewing or licking  
• Whining or crying more than usual  
• Irritability or moodiness  

If you notice any of these signs, talk to your veterinarian about ways to help your puppy get more sleep.

Example of a Puppy Sleep Schedule

If you want to introduce your puppy to a healthy sleep schedule for their health and your own, then here is a great example of how you can organize your puppy’s sleep schedule.  

8:00 am – Wake up and start the day  

9:00 am – Breakfast time  

10:00 am – Go for a walk or playtime in the yard  

11:00 am – Puppy nap time  

12:00 pm – Lunch time  

1:00 pm – Another walk or playtime  

2:00 pm – Another puppy nap time  

3:00 pm – Playtime with you or their favorite toys  

4:00 pm – Snack time  

5:00 pm – One last walk before dusk   

6:00 pm – Dinner time  

7:00 pm – Quiet time indoors  

8:00 pm – Last potty break of the day  

9:00 pm – Bedtime  

Following a routine like this will help your puppy get the sleep they need to grow and develop properly. It’s important to remember that puppies will need more sleep as they grow older, so be sure to adjust their sleep schedule accordingly.  

Puppies need a lot of sleep in order to grow and develop properly. It’s important to ensure your puppy is getting the right amount of sleep for their age and to create a comfortable sleep environment for them.

When Should You See a Vet About Your Puppy’s Sleep Problems?

If your puppy is having trouble sleeping or you’re concerned about their sleep habits, talk to your veterinarian. They can help you determine if there is an underlying medical condition causing the problem and make recommendations on how to improve your puppy’s sleep.

Ensure Your Pup is Being Treated with Care

For puppies to live their healthiest and happiest lives, which enables them to sleep well, they need to be treated with the utmost care. So it’s important that you don’t mistreat your pup in ways you may not even be aware are mistreating.

• Don’t shout or hit your puppy, or tug it hard when it’s on a lead. It’s important that your pup learns to listen to your words so that you don’t need to show aggressive behavior toward your pup.
• Don’t call your puppy toward you to reprimand it. This can be confusing for them, so reprimand them where they are.
• Don’t allow your puppy to chase cars or bicycles as this can lead to them being hurt.
• Don’t confine your puppy by themselves in a small space for long periods during the day as this can lead to behavioral issues. Your pup needs space to run as well as company.

Final Thoughts on How Much Sleep Your Puppy Needs

Puppies need a lot of sleep in order to grow and develop properly. Creating a comfortable sleep environment for your puppy, establishing a regular sleep schedule, and taking them out for potty breaks before bedtime will help them get the sleep they need.  

Did this post help you find out more about your puppy’s sleep schedule? But there are many other things to know. Find out why your dog sleeps on you for answers to other strange sleeping habits.

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