If you’ve recently brought home a puppy and were expecting high energy levels around the clock, you may be concerned to find them sleeping most of the time. This is normal! Like babies, puppies sleep a lot longer than adult dogs, especially in the first few weeks of their life. It’s important that dog parents understand their puppy’s sleep patterns and needs, as restful sleep is essential for their overall health, growth and development. This article explores how long a puppy sleeps. We look at how long puppies sleep during the day and at night, as well as at different stages of puppyhood. We also discuss healthy sleep habits and sleep issues, and what factors may influence your puppy’s sleep patterns. By being well-informed about your puppy’s sleep, you can help ensure they are getting the rest they need.
Newborn puppy sleep patterns
Newborn puppies can sleep as long as 22 hours - which makes up about 90% of their day! From birth and up to 2 weeks old, puppies are still in a delicate stage of their development and therefore need plenty of rest to support their rapid growth spurts. While they spend most of their time asleep, newborn puppies have relatively short sleep cycles that only last between 15 to 30 minutes. When they wake up, they will nurse from their mother and relieve their bladder/bowels, then go back to sleep; they’re not coordinated enough for any active play yet. Newborn puppies sleep close to their mother and siblings for warmth, nourishment and security.
Puppy sleep patterns during the first few weeks
As your puppy gets older, you’ll notice how long they sleep begins to gradually change. From 3-weeks-old, puppies will sleep around 20 hours a day and by 4-weeks-old they will be spending more time awake and active. Between 5 to 8-weeks-old, puppies have shorter periods of sleep, ranging between 18-20 hours. They will be much more curious about their environment, using their waking hours to explore and play with their littermates.
How much does an 8-week-old puppy sleep?
An 8-week-old puppy sleeps between 18-20 hours a day to support their physical growth and cognitive development. At 8 weeks, puppies require plenty of sleep as they are also more active in their waking hours and therefore need to replenish their energy. Gradually, they will spend more time awake and will need less sleep.
How much does a 10-week-old puppy sleep?
A 10-week-old puppy will sleep around 18 hours a day, spending more time awake, exploring their surroundings and playing with their owners. However, they will still need a lot of sleep to support their ongoing growth and development, as well as time to rest from their active periods. Your puppy may also begin to sleep longer at night.
How long do 3-month-old puppies sleep?
3-month-old puppies sleep around 16 hours a day, and their sleep patterns begin to resemble that of an adult dog - with longer periods of wakefulness and bursts of energy. At this age, puppies still sleep plenty during the day, but they also wake up less at night, as their bodies need to rest from their daily activities.
Factors influencing puppy sleep
Newborn puppies from birth and up to 3 months of age will need up to 20 hours of sleep. Some puppies may sleep more or less than this average amount, as each individual puppy will vary in their sleep needs and habits depending on their age, breed, size, activity level and overall health. As your puppy gets older, their sleep needs will evolve and they will begin to sleep fewer hours during the day, spend more time active and engaged, and sleep more hours at night.
To support your puppy’s sleep, it’s important to look after their overall health. Dog parents should provide a balanced diet for puppies and be aware of how much exercise a puppy needs, as a healthy and happy dog is likely to sleep better. You should also implement a daily schedule and create a bedtime routine to help your dog settle down at night. Make sure you provide your dog with a comfortable bed, whether it’s placed in a puppy crate or another location. Place puppy-safe toys that are snuggly to offer your puppy some comfort, and keep your puppy’s sleep environment dark and quiet. These measures will help you create healthy sleep habits for your puppy, which will be especially important as they become adult dogs so you both can get plenty of sleep at night.
Naps vs nighttime sleep
Puppy naps are short periods of sleep that puppies take during the day. When puppies are young, their naps are especially short - usually lasting between 15-30 minutes when they’re newborns and up to 2 hours as they get older. This is because newborn puppies have small stomachs and therefore need to wake up regularly to feed - they will usually go right back to sleep. As they get older and engage in active playtime, puppies will still nap to recharge.
Puppies can sleep longer at night, and these stretches become longer as the puppy gets older. Nighttime sleep is especially important for puppies, as their brains and bodies develop the most during this time. Puppies also consolidate any new information they’ve learned in the day through nighttime sleep. This is why it’s essential that puppy parents create a nighttime sleep routine and a conducive sleep environment for their puppy to sleep peacefully.
Signs of healthy sleep in puppies
Healthy sleep is crucial for your puppy’s growth and development, and there are some signs that can reassure puppy parents that they are sleeping well. When your puppy lays down to rest, check if they have a relaxed posture (either curled up in a ball or laying on their side) and if their muscles are also relaxed, without any tension. While your puppy’s breathing rate will be a bit faster than an adult dog, it should still be steady and smooth. As your puppy experiences the REM phase of sleep, you may notice them occasionally twitching, but otherwise, they should be relatively still. Puppy parents should be careful not to disturb their puppy’s sleep and allow them to complete their sleep cycle, as sudden wake-ups can startle them and cause disorientation, as well as have negative impacts on their health if they’re regularly disturbed.
Addressing common puppy sleep issues
Sometimes, there may be problems with your puppy’s sleep. When you first bring your puppy home, you might hear them crying or whining at night. This is because they’re in a new environment, not yet accustomed to their sleeping area, and may be missing their mother or littermates. It’s recommended to crate train your puppy so they can sleep in a secure area every night. It’s common for puppies to wake during the night to empty their bladder or bowels or because they’re hungry, but this will gradually reduce as they get older.
While puppies do sleep a lot, they also have high energy levels - especially right before bedtime. Allow your puppy some time to run around and use up their excess energy, before helping them to settle down. Another common sleep issue in puppies is if they appear restless and are constantly moving around in their sleep. This may just be because they’re uncomfortable, however, consult your vet if you’re concerned. Also, while your puppy should be sleeping throughout the day, excessive napping can indicate an improper routine, while insufficient napping means your puppy isn’t getting a balance between play and rest. Allow your puppy to sleep as long and as often as they want to, and encourage them to rest if they seem tired. This will help your puppy sleep longer at night too.
If you notice persistent or concerning sleep issues in your puppy, it’s important that you consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health issues. You can also try to implement the healthy sleeping habits below to support your puppy’s sleep:
- Establish a consistent sleep schedule
- Provide a comfortable sleeping area
- Create a bedtime routine
- Reduce noise and limit distractions
- Take your puppy to the toilet before bedtime
- Give your puppy some time to wind down
Puppies sleep a lot longer in the first few weeks and months of their lives, to support their rapid physical growth and development of their central nervous system and immune system. They need sleep to replenish their energy between growth spurts, as well as to rest after active play. The key to healthy sleep is good nutrition - and PEDIGREE® Puppy Food provides just that. With high-quality and tasty ingredients, PEDIGREE® Puppy Food will support your puppy’s growth and development, ensuring they have all the nutrition they need to support their transition into adult dogs.
