How to improve your dog's rest: tips every owner should know
Ensuring your dog gets plenty of rest is essential for their physical and emotional health. It not only influences their daily energy, but also their overall well-being and behavior.
Why is rest so important for dogs?
Adequate rest is key to keeping your dog physically and emotionally healthy. Enough sleep contributes to their development, strengthens their immune system, and helps regulate their behavior.
Physical and emotional benefits of good rest
Restful sleep allows your dog's body to recover from daily wear and tear, strengthen muscles and joints, and maintain a healthy immune system. On an emotional level, good sleep reduces anxiety and stress, improves concentration, and helps your pet appear more balanced, sociable, and receptive. Overall, good rest is the foundation for an active, happy, and healthy dog.
How many hours does a dog sleep according to its age and breed?
A dog's sleep time varies depending on its age, breed, and activity level. Puppies typically sleep between 18 and 20 hours a day, as their growth and development require constant rest. Adult dogs need around 12–14 hours, while older dogs may require more sleep to recover from physical wear and tear and maintain their health. Additionally, factors such as breed, size, and habitual energy level influence their rest needs: large breed or very active dogs may need longer periods of deep sleep. Observing your pet's sleep patterns will help you detect any changes in behavior, ensuring healthy sleeping habits and optimal well-being for your dog.
What can affect my dog's sleep?
Factors such as stress, noise, temperature, physical activity, and bed quality can disrupt your sleep habits, causing frequent awakenings or shallow sleep.
Factors that influence your dog's sleep
Your dog's environment and daily routines play an important role in the quality of their sleep. It's not just the bed that matters, but also how and where they sleep, as well as the activity they do during the day.
Temperature, noise and environment
The ideal temperature and a place free from loud noises help your dog relax. Avoiding drafts or direct light and keeping the bed elevated off the floor improves his comfort and well-being.
Routines and daily activity
Regular exercise and stable routines promote deep, restful sleep. Sudden changes in walking or eating schedules can negatively affect your rest.
The importance of a proper bed
Your dog's bed isn't just a place to sleep: it's their personal haven where they can relax and feel safe. A suitable bed allows them to comfortably adopt their natural position, facilitates sound rest, and contributes to their physical and emotional well-being. Furthermore, a specially designed resting space helps maintain healthy sleep routines, protects their joints and muscles, and prevents tension from awkward postures. Choosing the right bed is, therefore, an essential step in improving your pet's quality of life.
How to help your dog sleep better
A good night's sleep depends not only on the bed, but also on the environment and routines your dog maintains. Small adjustments to their space and daily habits can make a difference in the quality of their sleep and overall well-being.
Tips for creating an ideal rest environment
Place the bed in a quiet place, free from loud noises and drafts, and with adequate lighting: indirect natural light during the day and dimmer light at night. Maintaining a comfortable temperature and avoiding high-traffic areas helps your dog feel safe and relaxed. Additionally, keeping the space clean and organized helps your pet associate the bed with rest and comfort.
Common mistakes that affect your sleep
Some common mistakes include placing the bed in high-traffic areas, allowing frequent changes of location, exposing the dog to loud noises, or disregarding its sleeping routines. Also, ignoring signs of discomfort or poor posture can lead to stress, muscle tension, or interrupted sleep, affecting its overall well-being.
The perfect bed: key to well-being and rest
Choosing the right bed is a determining factor in ensuring your dog sleeps well and maintains a healthy posture. A well-designed bed supports the body, protects joints, and creates a safe and comfortable place.
What a good dog bed should have
It should fit your dog's size and sleeping position, offer ergonomic support, and be accessible based on their age and physical condition. A proper bed encourages natural postures, reduces pressure on joints and muscles, and provides a stable and predictable space where your pet can fully relax.
Example of ergonomic rest: Sensu Bed by Hociqo
The Sensu Bed is a modular bed designed to offer optimal rest for your pet, combining ergonomics, functionality, and style. Each component can be rearranged and combined, allowing it to be adapted to your dog's size, posture, and habits, as well as the space and decor of your home. This makes it a completely personalized and versatile resting space. The modular design includes raised bases, interchangeable backrests, memory foam mattresses, and optional cushions. The bases can be used independently or joined together to accommodate pets of different sizes or multiple pets at once. The backrests allow you to adjust the bed to suit your preferred sleeping position or desired style, while the mattresses and cushions provide additional comfort and facilitate cleaning thanks to their removable and washable covers. Additionally, the Sensu Bed offers multiple style and color combinations, from natural wood finishes to more modern or elegant tones, allowing it to integrate with any home decor. Its modularity not only guarantees ergonomic and healthy rest, but also the ability to update or rearrange the bed as your pet's needs change, while maintaining functionality, comfort, and style.
Rest is also part of our dogs' health.
A good night's sleep isn't just about comfort, it's also a fundamental element for your dog's physical and emotional health. Adequate rest promotes muscle regeneration, joint protection, hormonal balance, and mood. Therefore, taking care of your pet's sleep directly affects their overall well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Sleep
Why does my dog move so much when sleeping?
A dog's movements while sleeping are often related to dreams. During the REM phase of sleep, which occurs shortly after falling asleep, dogs experience brain activity similar to that of humans, causing their paws to move, blink, or even make small sounds. This phase is essential for processing recent experiences and consolidating learning, so seeing your dog moving while sleeping is completely normal and part of healthy sleep.
Is it okay to let him sleep in my bed?
Occasionally, your dog may do this, but it's recommended that your dog have his own resting space. This helps him maintain healthy sleeping habits and proper posture.
What do I do if my dog sleeps too little?
Check your pet's environment and routine: Make sure he has a quiet, comfortable, and safe place to sleep, with regular activity and rest times. If the problem persists, consult your veterinarian.
How to choose the best type of bed for your size?
Observe their sleeping posture and measure their stretched length. The bed should allow them to stretch out or curl up comfortably and, if modular, should adapt to their growth and habits.
Where to place the dog bed so it can rest better?
In a quiet place, away from loud noises and drafts. It should be accessible, with adequate lighting, and, if possible, raised off the floor to protect it from the cold and heat.
How do I know if my dog is sleeping well?
A well-rested dog is relaxed, calm, and has balanced energy throughout the day. Observe their behavior, activity level, and posture upon waking to assess their rest.
