A Tired Dog is a Happy and Healthy one: 10 Signs Your Pet Needs Rest

Sleeping is essential for the health of your dog. While sleep is not yet fully understood, we know that it is restorative for both body and mind. Sleep allows your dog’s cells to repair and ensures their brain has some ‘downtime’, enabling it to make memories and process thoughts.

Tiredness often results in undesired behaviours and those animals who are not getting enough sleep are prone to both behavioural and medical issues. As an owner, you want to encourage rest where appropriate, to help your dog stay healthy and content.

Highlights

Sleep is vital for dogs' restorative health and behavior.
Puppies need up to 18 hrs sleep, adult dogs need 8–13 hrs.
Overtired dogs can be irritable and forget training.
Signs of needed rest include yawning and sudden barking.
Lethargy, not just tiredness, can indicate illness.

The information provided herein is for informational purposes only. Please refer to our disclaimer for more details..

Table of Contents

How much sleep does a dog need?

Image credit: Torsten Dettlaff

There is no set answer to this question as it depends on the dog’s age, breed, health and lifestyle. As a rough guide, a young puppy can snooze up to 18 hours a day while an adult dog needs about 8-13 hours in a 24 hour period.

You will know what is normal for your pet and should soon realize if your dog seems more tired than usual, or if they’re suddenly reactive and irritable, and not getting the shut eye they need.

What are good ways to tire my pet out?

The best sleep usually follows some physical exercise or some mental stimulation. When your dog is worn out, they will naturally want to rest and switch off and it will feel easy for them to drift off and recharge their batteries.

Some great ways to encourage your canine to snooze including:

Sniff and scent sessions
‘Find it’ games
Long hikes and swims
Play time with other dogs
Brain games and food puzzles
Obedience lessons
Training sessions, where you perhaps teach your dog a new trick or work on something like their recall

If you keep your dog busy, this not only reduces their stress levels but also promotes a healthy sleep pattern.

Why do they say ‘a tired dog is a happy dog’?

Ultimately, the more your dog has to do, the more engaged they are and the better their sense of achievement and satisfaction each day. Tiring your dog out in healthy ways is vital for their mental and physical wellbeing.

If your dog has a quiet and boring day, this will mean they are less likely to sleep well which could lead to boredom and higher cortisol (the stress hormone) levels.

How does an overtired dog act?

When a dog is overtired, they might become restless and irritable. In a puppy, we often see something called ‘the zoomies’ in the evening time. They can have sudden outbursts whereby they may bark, run about, jump up and chew furniture.

An overtired dog may also lose their manners and temporarily ‘forget’ their training. They are struggling to remain calm and settled and can struggle to focus and pay attention.

You might also notice your dog is yawning, stretching and lying down for short periods before bouncing back up again.

If your pup is acting this way, take heed! They are telling you they need more rest and might need your help in achieving this. This can include tiring them out in healthy ways, but also by providing a calm and quiet environment to sleep in.

What are the 10 top signs your dog needs rest?

Image credit: Víctor Panadeiros

Here is a handy list of signs for you as a pet owner to be aware of, when you suspect your dog could be dog tired!

Yawning
Suddenly barking, whinging or becoming very noisy
Acting hyper, and running about for no reason
Being ‘naughty’ or acting out
Becoming unable to focus or respond to training cues
Lying down repeatedly
Stretching
Experiencing ‘Zoomies’
Panting or acting unsettled
Being irritable and losing patience

Is my dog lethargic or just tired?

There is a difference between being tired and being poorly and lethargic. A dog who is unwell may act sluggish because they are not eating enough, they feel sick or their body needs extra rest to fight off an infection or deal with a fever.

When a dog is listless, owners will notice they want to do nothing more than sleep. They may have other signs including not wanting to be social, being slow on their walks and showing little to no interest in their toys or training.

If your dog is lethargic, it is sensible to consult their veterinarian. The vet may offer a consultation so they can examine your pooch and determine why they are acting this way.

FAQs

Should I be worried if my dog is tired?

It’s important to keep track of your pet’s sleeping patterns and to know what is their normal. If they are suddenly much sleepier than usual, experiencing lethargy or displaying symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or food refusal, then there may be something amiss.

Being quieter can be an indicator of a medical issue, so it is wise to seek medical attention if you feel your dog lacks the usual ‘pep in their step’.

What to do if your dog is really tired?

A dog who is suddenly really tired for no apparent reason is a worry. This is especially true if they are difficult to rouse, weak or wobbly.

It could be that the exhaustion is because the dog has ingested a toxin such as rat bait, human medicine or xylitol.

Being overly tired can also be a sign of an underlying medical issue such as liver or kidney disease. So, if your dog is suddenly weary and worn out, contact your vet right away.