The Mayo Clinic recommends that adults get seven or more hours of sleep per night. Worried you're not hitting that number? You may have some unexpected company.
Other mammals like giraffes and horses sleep, on average, between three and 4.5 hours each day, the University of Washington reports. But, how about our canine companions?
If you have a dog, you may have noticed they love to rest just as much as they love to play. So how many total hours of sleep are they getting − and how many should they be getting?
Dogs can sleep, on average, between 12 to 14 hours a day, Purina reports.
Dogs get a lot of sleep because when their bodies cue them they listen, unlike humans who often ignore their internal clocks, PetMD reports. Aside from the hours they spend snoozing, dogs will spend around 30% of the day "loafing" around. While they might not be sleeping, they will be resting or lying down.
Older dogs, puppies and larger breeds also need more sleep than others. Larger dogs use more energy than smaller ones, while puppies are constantly exerting energy, according to PetMD. Senior dogs need more sleep as well since it helps "their bodies recover from daily activities."
Other factors that can contribute to your dog's sleeping habits include environment, health issues and nutrition, Purina reports
Why do dogs eat poop?Reasons behind your pet's behavior and how to stop it.
On a regular day, your dog's schedule may look like this – 50% sleep, 30% relaxation and 20% activity, according to the American Kennel Club.
So, is it normal for your dog to sleep or rest for a majority of the day?
Excessive sleep can be concerning to any pet owner.
However, your dog can sleep up to 15 hours a day before you should worry about their health, Purina reports. If they go above that threshold, it might be time to take them to the veterinarian.
If your dog is sleeping too much, this could indicate health issues, such as canine depression, diabetes and hypothyroidism, the American Kennel Club reports.
Advice from an expert:How often should I take my dog to the vet?
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "Can dogs see color?" to "What is the most expensive dog breed?" to "How to clean dogs' ears?" − we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer.
2024-12-25 10:111669 view
2024-12-25 09:522684 view
2024-12-25 08:181734 view
2024-12-25 08:052810 view
2024-12-25 08:031975 view
2024-12-25 08:001235 view
Angelina Jolie deserves some flowers for her steady performance as Maria Callas in the biopic “Maria
A 42-year-old mechanic died after being "trapped" under an Amazon delivery van at a company distribu
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — The man charged with shooting and wounding three college students of Palestin