From naps to deep sleep:
The sleeping habits of our four -legged friends
Boppard. The research of the dog's shop has now been well researched. Dogs have a pronounced need for sleep, but it differs from that of humans. People usually have their main sleeping period at night, but dogs, on the other hand, distribute their sleep throughout the day. An adult dog sleeps on average about 12 to 14 hours a day. This time includes both deep sleep at night (about 8 to 10 hours) as well as several naps and dööphasen distributed throughout the day (about 4 to 6 hours).
Similar to people, dogs go through different sleeping stadiums, including the slow wave sleep (SWS) and the REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement). The SWS is the deep sleep phase in which the body recovers. Brain activity is high in REM sleep and dreams appear. Dogs can twitch, bark or row with the legs in this phase ((See ⇾ When the dog whines or barks while sleeping).
The average sleeping time of an adult dog can vary depending on the breed, age, activity level and state of health. Puppies and older dogs often need more sleep (up to 16 to 20 hours). Depending on the breed, age, level of activity and health, the sleeping time can vary – dogs also adapt to the daily rhythm of their owners.
The dog shop
- Polyphasic sleep: Dogs do not sleep in a long block, but spread over the day in several shorter sleep periods.
- Vigilance in sleep: Dogs have the ability to switch to a slight sleeping condition in which they can continue to perceive their surroundings and wake up quickly. This is a remnant of her natural instinct as pack animals.
- Nickhaut: Dogs have a nick skin (third eyelid), Which you can pull over your eyes partly or completely while you sleep. This can give you sleeping with your eyes open.
- Sleeping positions: The sleeping position of a dog can provide information about his well -being and its surroundings. For example, rolled -out sleep can convey a feeling of security, while stretched out sleep can indicate relaxation.
What influences dogs
- Activity: Dogs that are more active during the day tend to spend more time in deep sleep.
- Security and the surrounding area: A safe and quiet sleeping environment promotes better sleep. Dogs sleep deeper and longer in a safe environment.
- Social interaction: The quality of social interactions can also affect sleep behavior.
- Health: Pain or certain diseases can affect sleep.
Research methods
- Sleeping research in dogs includes various methods, including electroencephalography (EEG) To measure brain activity, electromyography (EMG) To measure muscle activity and electrooculography (EOG) To measure eye movements.
- Behavioral observations and the use of activity trackers also provide important data about sleep patterns and quality.
Although a variety of knowledge has already been obtained, research into dog sleep is an ongoing process. Future studies could concentrate on the effects of breed, age, nutrition and environmental factors on sleep and further investigate the connection between sleep and cognitive functions. So far, the symptoms of lack of sleep in dogs have hardly been researched. Here the state of research shows that lack of sleep in dogs can have comparable effects as in humans, such as irritability or nervousness. (Stefan Richter)