Our dogs sure are funny creatures…
And sometimes they can do things that shock or amaze us even without having any idea that they’re doing it…
Take, for instance, the way they sleep…
I’ve watched my dogs bark and howl in their sleep before, and I’ve also watched them shuffle their legs as if they’re dreaming about chasing squirrels and other little critters…
Those sleeping behaviors are obviously harmless, but what should I do if my dog won’t wake up but is breathing normally?
Well, in this article we’ll be answering that question, and we’ll be doing that by covering the following information…
- How Dogs Sleep – The Basics…
- My Dog Won’t Wake Up But Is Breathing – Should I Be Worried?
- Could My Dog Have a Sleep Disorder?
- My Dog Is In A Deep Sleep – Should I Try Waking Him Up?
- Can A Dog Oversleep Without Having A Medical Problem?
In the end, you’ll know of many potential reasons why your dog might be sleeping in this way, and you’ll also know exactly what to do if you suspect that something is wrong…
Let’s start by briefly explaining the basics of how dogs sleep…
How Dogs Sleep – The Basics…
The way that dogs sleep is actually very different from us humans. For starters, dogs need a lot more sleep than we do…
Most dogs need around 12 to 14 hours of sleep each day, and if you think about it, that’s at least half of the entire day…
In addition to that, the amount of sleep your dog needs can be impacted by many different factors…
For example, it’s common for old dogs to sleep very deeply just because as they age they require more sleep…
Other factors that can affect how much sleep your dog needs include things like his or her breed, overall health level, and how active he or she is…
On top of all that, dogs also have different stages of sleep (much like we humans)…
So when you see your dog sleeping, he or she might be in a light, short brain wave sleep or in a deep slumber. Now it usually takes dogs longer to get to a deep sleep than it does for humans…
And they also have shorter cycles of deep sleep as well, which is why they sleep on and off throughout the day…
But they do go through periods of deep sleep, which could be a reason why your dog seems unresponsive.
My Dog Won’t Wake Up But Is Breathing – Should I Be Worried?
There are many potential reasons why your dog could be breathing but not waking up. Some of these reasons are harmless, but others could be cause for concern…
The following questions will help you determine if your dog is sleeping normally…
Is Your Dog In A Deep Sleep Cycle?
As I mentioned earlier, dogs sleep a lot throughout the day, and they do enter into deep sleep cycles…
When this is happening, it’s pretty common for a dog to be difficult to wake up. That being said, if your dog is sleeping too much, it could be due to a health problem…
Some of the things you’ll want to keep an eye on that may indicate a problem include:
- If your dog is sleeping more than normal
- If your dog seems to lack energy
- If your dog is breathing irregularly
- If your dog seems depressed or has a change in mood
- If your dog seems malnourished or dehydrated
If you notice any of these symptoms you should contact a veterinarian immediately…
Does Your Dog Have Other Health Problems?
There are a number of medical problems that can cause dogs to become excessively sluggish and sleepy…
For example, hypothyroidism is when your dog’s metabolism slows down, and that can lead to lethargy and sleepiness in your dog along with several other issues…
In addition to that, things like Parvovirus, Diabetes, Lyme disease, and other medical issues can lead to dogs becoming overly sleepy.
If you suspect that your dog’s sleepiness is related to a medical problem, you should contact a veterinarian for diagnosis and guidance…
Could My Dog Have a Sleep Disorder?
Just like us humans, there are a number of sleep disorders that dogs may have…
Some of these disorders can make your dog sleep more than average, or make them feel sluggish and uncomfortable throughout the day…
The four most common sleep disorders found in dogs are…
- Narcolepsy
- Insomnia
- Sleep Apnea
- REM Behavior Disorder
Now if your dog isn’t waking up, odds are that he or she doesn’t suffer from insomnia. On top of that, if your dog is breathing normally, it’s not likely that he or she suffers from Sleep Apnea…
Also, with REM Behavior Disorder, your dog will be physically active while sleeping such as running or jumping…
So again, it’s probably not an issue for your dog if he’s sleeping heavily but still breathing…
All that said, the most common disorder you might want to look out for is Narcolepsy. Now Narcolepsy is not painful or a life-threatening condition…
But in some cases, it can cause other health problems for your dog. So it’s always best to consult a veterinarian if you suspect that your dog has Narcolepsy or any other sleep disorder…
My Dog Is In A Deep Sleep – Should I Try Waking Him Up?
If your dog is breathing normally, and you haven’t noticed any other unusual behavior or symptoms, it’s likely that your dog is just in a deep sleep…
That being said, if you’re feeling a bit anxious about your dog’s health, you might be wondering if it’s a good idea to wake him up to make sure everything is alright…
Well, many experts recommend that you do not try to wake up your dog while he or she is engaged in a deep sleep…
You see, while waking your dog from a deep sleep cycle isn’t dangerous, it could cause your dog to feel anxious, disoriented, or just outright mad…
Just think about it, nobody likes to be rapidly pulled out of a deep sleep…
And even though your dog will most likely forgive you pretty quickly, there’s probably no need to wake him or her up (unless you notice other symptoms).
Can A Dog Oversleep Without Having A Medical Problem?
It is possible for a dog to oversleep during the day without having a medical problem. As I mentioned earlier, sometimes this can happen with senior dogs…
But it can also happen if a dog is stuck at home alone all day because his doggie parents are off at work…
You see, dogs tend to sleep when they don’t have anything around to stimulate them…
And if you’re concerned about your dog spending too much time lying around and sleeping during the day while you’re away…
I highly recommend you check out this. I love it because it’s a healthy way to keep your dog stimulated during the day while still giving time to relax and nap in a healthy way.
Wrap Up…
So there you have it… If your dog is breathing normally, but just in a deep sleep…
…then you probably have nothing to worry about because it’s normal for dogs to go through deep sleep cycles.
But if you notice that your dog seems to lack energy while awake or breath abnormally while sleeping…
Be sure to contact a veterinarian who will be able to assess whether or not you should bring your dog in for a check-up.