How many hours a day do dogs sleep?

Adult dogs commonly sleep about 12 to 14 hours in every 24. Senior dogs and large and giant breeds often sleep 16 to 18 hours or more. A sudden increase, or sleepiness with dullness or loss of appetite, is a reason to see your veterinarian.

How long do cats sleep?

Adult cats commonly sleep about 12 to 16 hours a day, and senior cats can sleep 18 to 20. A cat that is bright and eating well when awake is usually just resting; a change in sleep along with hiding, weight loss or not eating should be checked.

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Is that much sleep normal?

Dogs and cats sleep far more than people, and older ones more still. Three questions for the typical range, and for when sleep is hiding something.

Who is it?

Has it changed?

When they are awake

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This tool organizes what you have noticed. It can't examine your pet, and its result is not a diagnosis or veterinary advice. Take what it shows to your vet; if your pet is in distress, go to an emergency clinic now. Full disclaimer

What the ranges are based on

Adult dogs commonly sleep around half the day, about 12 to 14 hours in every 24, spread over the night and several naps. Seniors, puppies and large and giant breeds sleep more, often 16 hours and sometimes 18 or more. Cats sleep about 12 to 16 hours as adults, and old cats can reach 18 to 20.

These are commonly quoted figures, and healthy pets fall on either side of them. A working collie and a retired greyhound are both normal.

What deserves attention is change. More sleep that arrives over a few weeks, sleep that replaces things your pet used to love, or a pet that sleeps all day and paces all night is telling you something. So is difficulty getting comfortable. Those are reasons to see your vet, not just signs of getting old.

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Is that much sleep normal?

What the ranges are based on

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