Dogs seem to lead a leisurely life. They wake up, go outside to relieve themselves, come in for a snack, and then head back to bed. Later, they wake up again, go out once more, have dinner, and then return to bed for another sleep.

Although it may seem like dogs spend a lot of time sleeping, this is actually quite normal. Here’s everything you need to know about your dog’s sleep patterns.

How Much Sleep Do Dogs Need?

On average, most dogs spend about 50% of their day sleeping, which is roughly 12 hours in a 24-hour period. Puppies, large breeds, and senior dogs tend to sleep more, while small breeds and working dogs may sleep less.

In addition to the 50% of the day spent sleeping, dogs spend another 30% of their waking time “loafing around.” Just like humans, loafing means that the dog is awake but not really doing anything—just hanging out. Usually, this time is spent lying down, watching the world go by, and generally enjoying a lazy feeling. So, that means dogs are idle for 80% of the day.

Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much?

Dogs sleep more than humans. When their bodies signal that it’s time to sleep, they do—whereas humans often have busy schedules and don’t always listen to these signals.

Sleep is very important for dogs. Our brains are constantly active throughout the day, storing random and chaotic data in various places. We sort through this data during sleep, and dogs do the same. This is very therapeutic, and if you don’t allow dogs to do this, they miss out on this restorative process. Sleep helps with brain development, memory, learning ability, and the immune system in dogs.

It makes sense that large breeds, puppies, and senior dogs need more sleep. Large dogs exert more physical effort, and recovery takes time. Puppies run around, explore everything, and expend a lot of energy. Then, they sleep well until their bodies recover and they’re ready to play again. Senior dogs also need more sleep to help their bodies recover from daily activities.

What If My Dog Is Restless and Can’t Sleep at Night?

Age is another factor that can cause sleep disturbances—senior dogs sometimes have a harder time falling asleep than puppies or young adult dogs. Some senior dogs (especially those diagnosed with canine cognitive dysfunction, a condition similar to Alzheimer’s) also experience sundowning. This means they may become confused and restless as night falls. They often pace around and may have trouble settling down.

In many cases, this can be managed with medication. Some dogs respond well to having a nightlight placed near their favorite sleeping spot and having a low-volume TV or radio on. A more common issue is that older dogs need to go out to relieve themselves more frequently. While this may have a medical basis, it can also just represent a change in the dog’s bathroom habits, which is perfectly normal for them.

If your dog suddenly needs to go out at night, consult your vet. Providing convenience for your dog to go out more frequently at night, whether by laying down pee pads, taking them out during the night, or installing a dog door, can help. In most cases, the reasons for a dog’s restlessness at night can be identified. Contacting a vet to help determine the cause and, if possible, eliminate the trigger, is the best long-term solution.

Are There Sleep Aids for Dogs?

Unfortunately, there is no “one-size-fits-all” sleep aid for dogs. The most common way to address sleep issues in dogs is to diagnose and treat the underlying problem. For overly anxious dogs, pheromone products like plug-in diffusers or sprays can help calm them down.

For other dogs, a small dose of diphenhydramine can alleviate anxiety and help them sleep—but this should only be done under the advice of a vet.

Providing a comfortable place for your dog to sleep can also help. Some dogs need a nightlight, and many dogs enjoy having a radio or TV on. In fact, many dogs sleep best in a cozy dog bed (with the door open, creating a safe sleeping spot). It may take a bit of trial and error to find the best solution for your dog, but with some detective work and the help of a vet, most dogs will be happily sleeping through the night (and most of the day)!