5 Real Reasons Why Dachshunds Sleep So Much
Why is my Dachshund so tired? Is it normal for a Dachshund to sleep a lot? Read on to find out what amount of sleep is considered normal and when you should be concerned.
Some of the main reasons why Dachshunds sleep so much is because of their natural instinct, levels of daily activity, and their overall health.
Are Dachshunds Lazy?
No Way! If your Dachshund receives the right amount of daily exercise and proper nutrition, a couple of naps during the day and a good amount of sleep at night doesn’t mean they are lazy or low energy.
When I am home for the day, my Dachshunds constantly follow me around the house. I’m sure your doxie does the same. They are like little shadows and I trip over them constantly.
If I am sitting down for TV time, my doxies are relaxing on my lap. They aren’t on guard when I’m not moving around. They are on the job when I am on the go.
How Many Hours Do Dachshunds Sleep Each Day?
On average, an adult Dachshund dog will sleep 14-16 hours per day. Hunting hounds, like the Dachshund, need a bit more shut eye than other dog breeds.
5 Reasons Why Dachshunds Sleep So Much
1. Instinct:
Let’s look at the Dachshund’s history for a moment. The standard sized Dachshund was originally bred in Germany to hunt the big bad badger.
Badgers were destroying crops, so they needed smaller dogs to dig and burrow under the ground to flush them out of their holes.
Dachshunds were raised to be brave and tough in order to win a battle with a badger. Hunters needed a clever and intelligent dog, like the Dachshund, to hunt the badger because it was dangerous work.
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So, what does this have to do with sleepy Dachshunds? Well, the Dachshund had a pretty stressful job back then, and sleeping was how they restored their energy so they could keep up with such a big job.
Fast forward to the present day, your domesticated doxie sleeps to restore his energy and prepare for the hunt at home. That’s right, it is your Dachshund’s natural instinct to rest up for the hunt – still today.
Your Dachshund may not be hunting badgers, but there are plenty of small game, like squirrels and rabbits to chase when they go outside.
They also need to keep up with you throughout the day. Being your dedicated guardian is a big job too.
Dachshunds are Scent and Earth Hounds!
Scent Hounds are known for following their nose, rather than relying on their sight. Earth Hounds primarily hunt below the ground. They use sound and vibrations to hunt for their prey.
2. Dachshund’s Age:
The amount of sleep your Dachshund needs can depend on their age. Dachshund puppies and senior doxies require more sleep than adolescent or adult Dachshunds.
Four Stages of a Dog’s Life:
1. Puppy: Birth to 6 months old.
2. Adolescence: Between 6 to 18 months old.
3. Adult: Adulthood begins between 12 months to 3 years old.
4. Senior: The senior years range between 8 and 10 years old.
Dachshund Puppies
Little puppies are constantly growing at a rapid rate. Puppies need LOTS of sleep for proper body growth and strong brain development.
How much sleep does a puppy need?
It is normal for your Dachshund puppy to sleep up to 20 hours a day!
Is it possible for a puppy to sleep too much?
Puppies have a ton of energy when they are active. They play, run, eat, and explore. Their little growing bodies need lots of good, quality naps. I’m talking 30 minutes plus, several times per day.
5 or 10 minute naps won’t do. Help your puppy get an adequate amount of sleep by keeping things quiet during their nap time.
My puppy, Eko, slept all of the time. But, every little sound would wake him up. So, when it was nap time, I put him in his puppy playpen with a soft blanket. I also turned a fan on for white noise. Eko would nap 1-2 hours at a time if everything stayed quiet.
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Senior Dachshunds
As they age, older doxies start to slow down because their metabolism slows down, which is a normal part of aging.
Senior dogs won’t eat as much food as they did as adult dogs, but they do gain more weight and sleep a lot more. An older dog’s body will also take more time to heal. Getting plenty of rest helps them feel better.
My Dachshund mix, Bastian, is 15 years old. He enjoys his daily walks, still has a good appetite for his age, and he sleeps most of the day and all night.
Adult Dachshunds
When Dachshunds turn 12 months old, they will usually take a couple of naps during the day, but not as many puppy naps as they used to.
3. Daily Activity:
Did you know that working dogs sleep less than inactive dogs? When dogs are home alone during the day, they sleep most of the time.
When you arrive home, it’s time to get active. For some of us, going for a walk or taking your dog to the park can sound like more of a chore. But, it is good for you and your dog to get fresh air and exercise every day.
Exercise: Take daily walks with your Dachshund for at least 20 minutes. Walking your dog before you leave for the day and when you return home is a great way to keep your doxie happy and maintain a healthy weight.
If you don’t have time to walk your dog…
Dog Walkers: If you are not able to walk your dog during the day, hire a dog walker. You can search online for local dog walkers in your area. I used Rover.com to look up local caregivers to let my dog out when I’m gone for the day or evening.
Doggie Daycare: Take your doxie to doggie daycare during work hours. Dogs can play, socialize with other dogs, and exercise while you are at work. They are pretty tired out at the end of the day – perfect!
4. Boredom:
Boredom is toxic to a Dachshund who craves constant attention. If your dog doesn’t get enough physical exercise and mental stimulation daily, they will do one of two things:
- Sleep a lot more, have lower energy, and gain weight.
- Become aggressive and show destructive behavior.
Too much sleep from boredom will not only lead to unhealthy weight gain, but also puts your doxie at a much higher risk for IVDD.
Mental Stimulation
Provide IQ dog toys for more mental stimulation. Dachshunds love to dig, bark, and play. Interactive dog toys help keep their minds sharp, so you don’t have to worry about your pup getting bored.
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5. Health:
If you notice a big change in your Dachshund’s sleeping habits, there may be a cause for concern. A tired Dachshund that doesn’t feel well, will sleep a lot more.
If your dog seems slower than usual, excessive sleeping, acting lethargic, grumpy, disoriented, or not eating like usual, visit the vet for a check-up.
Diseases, like diabetes and hyperthyroidism, can cause changes in your dog’s sleeping habits.
Bonus Tip:
If your Dachshund isn’t eating a well balanced dog food diet, they will have lower energy and sleep a lot more than they should.
Choosing a high quality dog food that is specialized for your dog’s age can make a difference in their health and energy levels.
Puppy foods have more fats than adult dog foods. Senior dog food contains more fiber.
Weight: It is important to help your Dachshund maintain a healthy weight through exercise and feeding them a high quality dog food diet. Avoid unhealthy habits, like feeding your Dachshund table scraps. This leads to obesity, lower energy, and excessive sleeping.
Dog Food Change: If you are concerned that your doxie’s food may be the culprit of low energy and excessive sleep, change your dog’s food. Many Dachshund parents have seen a big difference in their pups after changing their dog food to a healthier diet.
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Does My Dog Need A Bedtime?
Yes, I do believe that Dachshunds thrive on daily routines and need a set bedtime. In fact, many Dachshund owners will know it’s time to go to bed because their doxie will remind them – no need for an alarm clock.
Is it Normal For My Dog To Sleep All Day?
Sleep can vary depending on your dog’s breed and size. On average, a dog sleeps at least 50% of the day.
Dachshund Parents: How Many Hours Does Your Dachshund Sleep Each Day?
My doxie seems hungry all the time. He will be 10 next month. I feed him and 10 minutes later he is barking to feed him. He is on good quality dog food. I make sure he gets at least 2 good walks a day. He gets a lot of sleep during the day. It just worries me that he seems hungry allll the time
Hi Debbie, Dachshunds in general are usually willing to eat anything and everything, but if this is a new behavior for your doxie, definitely let the vet know, just in case something health related may have changed. Also, I have heard this happens occasionally with some of the big name brand fresh dog food delivery services. I watched a YouTube video on a dog mom talking about the same thing with her dog, saying that he just couldn’t get enough of the fresh food – just something to keep in mind. Good luck to your pup. Whatever you find out, please share it with us, as we love to share and educate other doxie parents going through similar issues.
My daschund makes little noises on occasions,gentle little sounds,why?
He is a year old soon and is a v happy little
Fellow and enjoys fun and company,loves to be cuddled and will give endless kisses!
Sleeps a lot but wakes for ‘action’ and ready
To go!.,Would love to know why he makes
Those little sounds.Today i met a couple with 2 daschies and she says hers do this
Too so is it peculiar to the breed? She described the sounds like those of an OWL !!
Hi there, hmm.. I’m not familiar with little sounds like that. I guess some doxies could make some ‘owl’ sounds, but I would still check with your vet just in case. Thanks for writing in. *Hugs* for your doxie pup.
Hello, Dogs average roughly 12 to 14 hours of sleep each day, an integral part of their ability to learn and retain information along with maintaining their health. Just like their human companions, however, they can develop sleep disorders, and as a result, it’s critical to monitor your dog’s sleep health.
MySlumberYard’s guide: Is My Dog Getting Enough Sleep?
Includes common sleep disorders that dogs can struggle with and how to address them.
Red flags that will help owners identify if their dog is getting too little sleep.
Tips on how to help your dog improve their sleep health.
Hello, thank you for this dog sleeping info.