Are you wondering why your Dachshund is always asleep? Maybe you want to know how long Dachshunds are supposed to sleep each day? Here’s everything you need to know about why Dachshunds sleep so much!
Why Do Dachshunds Sleep So Much?
- Dachshunds sleep to preserve energy
- Dachshunds sleep as it’s a natural instinct
- Dachshunds sleep because they’re warm and cosy
- Dachshunds sleep in the day if they’re watchdogs at night
- Dachshunds sleep due to boredom
- Dachshunds sleep more as they get older
- Dachshunds sleep more if they don’t eat the right food
- Dachshunds sleep more if they get health problems
But, before you wake your Dachshund up, there’s more you need to know! Read on to find out how much adult Dachshunds sleep, how long puppies sleep, if they’re sleeping too much, and what you can do about it!
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This article is based on research and personal experience as a Dachshund owner of 10+ years. I’m not a Vet, qualified dog trainer or dog behaviourist.
How Much Do Dachshund Puppies Sleep?
Dachshund puppies can sleep for 18–20 hours per day. Like babies, they need a lot of rest so their bodies can use the energy to develop healthily. It’s normal for puppies to sleep a lot while they’re still young and growing.
When you first get your Dachshund puppy, they’ll probably snooze most of the day. When they wake, they may have a mad 15 minutes, and then go back off to sleep again. This is nothing to worry about, so just enjoy the sleepy cuddles while they last!
How Much Sleep Do Adult Dachshunds Need?
For most adult Dachshunds, 12–14 hours of sleep per day is normal. Some Dachshunds will sleep more than this and some may sleep less. It really depends on your Dachshund, the amount of exercise they get, how old they are, and whether they have any health issues.
How Much Sleep Do Senior Dachshunds Need?
Most senior Dachshunds sleep for around 12–18 hours a day. Your Dachshund will naturally sleep more as he moves into his senior years. As Dachshunds age, their bodies get tired quicker, so they need more rest to recover from any physical or mental exertion.
You also have to remember that, as your Dachshund gets older, he may eat less. So he’ll be be getting less energy from his food which could make him more lethargic and tired.
Why Do Dachshunds Sleep All The Time?
Dachshunds are funny because they’re such happy, energetic dogs when they’re awake, but they also spend half the day sleeping!
This seems lazy to us because we only need about 8 hours sleep per day. But, for Dachshunds, it’s totally normal to sleep a lot more than that!
Sleep is very important as it lets your Dachshund rest and recharge. Making them fun and feisty when they’re awake!
There are lots of reasons why Dachshunds need so much sleep:
Dachshunds have a natural instinct to preserve energy
In the wild, Dachshunds needed to hunt to survive, so they’d naturally save all their energy for hunting.
This means they’d sleep in between hunts to make sure they had enough energy for when they needed to catch food.
Our pet Dachshunds still have this natural instinct. That’s why they seem to snooze most of the day and are full of beans when they wake up!
Dachshunds don’t get as much restorative sleep as us
When Dachshunds sleep, they spend a much smaller amount of time in the restorative phase of sleep than we humans do.
That’s why they need to sleep for longer than us, to be properly rested and restored.
Pet Dachshunds have got used to the good life!
Because Dachshunds were so active in the wild, they didn’t sleep quite as much because they needed to be alert.
The same can’t be said for our pet Dachshunds. They feel so safe and cosy in their homes that they’re quite happy to snooze for hours, preferably burrowed under a snuggly blanket!
Dachshunds can get bored
If you think your Dachshund is sleeping more than usual, he could just be a bit bored.
Sometimes Dachshunds sleep to pass the time if there isn’t anything interesting happening around them.
Dachshunds can be night time watchdogs
If your Dachshund doesn’t feel fully safe or relaxed in his environment, he won’t allow himself to fall asleep fully.
Sometimes Dachshunds stay on high alert because they think it’s their duty to be on watch!
You’ll be able to spot this because your Dachshund will open his eyes or raise his head at the slightest movement or if he hears something outside.
The more he stops himself sleeping deeply, the more tired he’ll become, and the more rest he’ll need during the day.
Dachshunds tire as they age
As Dachshunds get older, they definitely become sleepier. As with humans, old age tends to slow everything down a bit.
Dachshunds need energy from food
Sometimes Dachshunds sleep lots because they’re simply not getting the energy they need from their food.
The quality of dog food is so important for overall health and wellbeing. So always feed the best you can afford.
Dachshunds can get health issues
Your Dachshund’s sleepiness may be a direct symptom of a health problem. Or he could be extra tired because a health issue is stopping him from sleeping properly.
If your Dachshund is suddenly sleeping more than usual, he could have a medical issue, such as:
- Hypothyroidism
- Diabetes
- Narcolepsy
- Liver disease
- Depression
- Heart disease
- Heartworm
- Kennel cough
- Leptospirosis
- Viral infections like parvovirus or distemper
- Back problems
If you suspect a health problem or your Dachshund is currently undergoing treatment, always take the advice of your vet.
Is My Dachshund Sleeping Too Much?
If your Dachshund is sleeping around 12 to 14 hours per day (more if he’s a puppy or senior), and is his usual happy self when eating, playing and walking, he’s probably OK!
Sleeping a lot is more of a problem when it’s out of character, really excessive, or your Dachshund has lost interest in other activities that he usually loves.
If your Dachshund is suddenly very restless or sleepy, or he gets very tired when he’s up and about, it’s best to seek advice from your vet.
One way to know if your Dachshund is sleeping too much is if he’s fidgety or restless during the night.
If your Dachshund is making a habit of waking you up in the night because he’s not tired, this is a big indicator that he’s sleeping too much during the day!
Definitely get straight onto sorting this because you don’t want him to think that’s an acceptable new routine.
Being woken up at 3am every night by a Dachshund licking your face isn’t always the best of fun!
What Do I Do If My Dachshund Is Sleeping Too Much?
If you think your Dachshund is sleeping too much, this is what you need to do:
Visit the vet
If you’re worried your Dachshund is sleeping a lot because of a health issue, take him to see the vet. They’ll let you know if there’s anything wrong, and what the next steps are.
If in doubt, it’s always best to seek veterinary advice to rule out any medical problems. This is especially important if your Dachshund’s sleeping pattern has changed or he’s acting out of character.
Look at your Dachshund’s diet
Lethargy and tiredness could also be to do with your Dachshund’s diet. So have a look at what you’re feeding him and check that he’s getting everything he needs from his food.
Again, if you’re concerned about dog food or any aspect of your Dachshund’s health, always seek advice from your vet before making any changes.
Exercise your Dachshund more
Adult Standard Dachshunds need at least an hour of exercise each day and adult Miniatures need about 30 minutes. It’s best to include a daily walk so he gets stimulated by all the sights and smells around him.
If your Dachshund doesn’t get his daily exercise, he’ll feel more lethargic and sleep a lot just to pass the time.
If your Dachshund already gets 30-60 minutes exercise a day and still seems to need more, give it to him. Dachshunds are naturally active dogs that love being on the go.
If you find it hard to fit in daily exercise for your Dachshund, you could always ask a dog walker or friend to pop in and take him out for you.
Play with your Dachshund more
Playtime is just as important as physical exercise for your Dachshund because it’s mentally stimulating.
If you can, try to fit in a short play session at least once a day. Dachshunds will go all out during playtime sessions, leaving them tired and happy afterwards.
If you work during the day, pop your Dachshund into a day care where he can play with the other dogs while you’re away.
Do some training
Dachshunds LOVE training because it’s mentally stimulating and rewarding. It’s a great way to tire your Dachshund out so he sleeps better during the night.
Let your Dachshund dig
As hunting dogs, Dachshunds are natural diggers. Letting your Dachshund dig in a sandpit or contained area, gives him an outlet for his energy and lets him embrace that natural instinct.
You could also hide things in the garden for your Dachshund to search and sniff out.
These types of activities should help your Dachshund sleep better at night, and stop him from needing so much sleep during the day!
So, there you have it! Adult Dachshunds are big sleepers and puppy Dachshunds are REALLY big sleepers. Just make sure you’re feeding a good diet, giving enough daily exercise and including some playtime during the day. Then curl up with your Dachshund under a cosy blanket and have a well earned snooze!
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