How Much Do Golden Retrievers Sleep?

If your Golden retriever is sleeping long hours, you’re probably wondering what is wrong with them and what you can do about it. How much do golden retrievers sleep? An adult Golden will sleep for up to 12 hours each day. Puppies and senior Goldens will sleep even longer. Depending on the cause, there are several things you can do to remedy it.

Sleeping Too Much – How Much Do Golden Retrievers Sleep?

The following are some reasons why Golden retrievers sleep and conditions that make them likelier to sleep.

Nature

How much do golden retrievers sleep? The main cause why golden retrievers sleep a lot is their nature. It is typical for a large breed dog such as the Golden retriever to sleep for 12 to 14 hours. Golden puppies will tend to sleep longer.

Hot climate

How much do golden retrievers sleep? Your golden retriever may be prone to sleeping as a reaction to the hot weather. It makes them feel lethargic. They will likely start sleeping more hours if the weather becomes hotter.

If this is the case, it will help if you keep them cool by walking them during morning hours or in the evening. Provide shaded areas and even a cool room. If your Golden retriever is still sleeping too much, even if temperatures have cooled, it is best to take them to the vet for an examination.

Illness

How much do golden retrievers sleep? Your golden retriever may be suffering an illness, causing them to sleep long hours. This likelihood increases if they start sleeping too much all of a sudden and exhibit other signs of illnesses such as vomiting and fatigue when awake. If this is the case, your best option is to take them to a vet.

Boredom

Golden retrievers require daily exercise and stimulation. One reason your Golden may be sleepy is they are not getting enough exercise and stimulation. Overall, it is recommended that you give your Golden an hour of exercise each day. If you’re not giving enough exercise to your Golden, make sure you start revving up their routine with physical games and play.

Diet

It might also be the case that the issue is your Golden’s diet. You might be overfeeding them are not feeding them enough. You might also want to check if other people are feeding them treats and other food they shouldn’t be eating. Their sleeping problem may be traced to their diet, especially if you had switched them to a different diet when they started showing extreme sleepiness.

Make sure that they have no access to other food except the one you give them. There are some foods you should not feed your dog, and it will help if you consult with your vet for diet recommendations.

Age

It is typical for puppies to sleep longer hours than adult dogs. Puppies are growing, and they need to build their muscles. It is normal for a Golden retriever puppy to sleep up to 20 hours per day.

Similarly, it is normal for a senior dog to sleep longer hours since it takes a supreme effort for them to move, and they need optimum sleep to rebuild their body

Top 2 Things to Consider – How Much Do Golden Retrievers Sleep?

Your golden suddenly started sleeping more

When you want to figure out why your Golden retriever is sleeping more investigate when it first started. It might give you a clue about the cause.

It may be traced to factors such as diet, illnesses, and hot weather. If this is the case, make sure to take them to the vet for an examination.

If it is typical for your particular Golden to sleep long hours, and the vet has made sure they have no health issues, probably, it is simply their normal behavior.

Sleeping a lot

You might also want to factor in the timing. If your Golden sleeps longer hours during certain hours of the day, it is likely due to hot weather. Ingesting wrong foods, being overfed, or simply an acquired habit are other factors.

What to Do

The following are some things you can do about your Golden retriever sleeping long hours:

Let your dog sleep

Keep in mind that it is natural for Golden retrievers to sleep long hours. How much do golden retrievers sleep? They must get the sleep they need. When they are sleeping, they rebuild their bodies and recover from all of the hyperactivity they did when awake. If you wake your Golden retriever and disturb them, it will likely make things worse.

Comfortable sleep

It also helps to make sure that the room where your Golden retriever sleeps is comfortable. Meaning, it shouldn’t be too bright, must be cool, with enough room for it to lay down and rest comfortably.

Right diet

As discussed, food is one of the main culprits for excessive sleeping. You might want to examine their nutrition. It also helps if you consult with your vet about their diet the next time you visit for a checkup.

Cool them down

If the weather has become too hot in your area, it will help if you cool down your dog. Give them access to cool and shady areas and walk them during cool mornings and evenings.

Vet checkup

If you cannot pinpoint why your Golden is sleeping a lot, it is crucial to take them to the vet at once. You can get expert recommendations and advice that is geared towards your Golden’s particular needs. A vet will rule out the possibility of a medical condition behind your dog’s excessive sleeping.

Dog sleeping habits

How much do golden retrievers sleep? Dogs sleep if they are not doing anything. It is their inherited habit from their wolf ancestors. Wolves lay around and sleep for long periods until they are ready for another hunt. Dogs have retained this evolutionary trait.

Humans typically sleep for eight hours each night. But it is not unusual for a Golden retriever to sleep even beyond those hours. They will sleep if they cannot go outdoors to run around and play or if the weather does not permit it.

It is not uncommon for dogs to sleep in the morning hours when humans are most active. They might sleep after breakfast, wake up and be a little active until lunchtime, and afterward, be active again in the afternoon. Once they’ve had dinner, they will play vigorously and invite you to join them. After this, they will call it a night and sleep for long hours until it is time for breakfast again the next morning.

Final thoughts

You will only be sleeping eight hours per night but, if you find that your dog is sleeping more than you, you might feel that it is a cause of alarm. Keep in mind that dogs and humans developed from different evolutionary pathways. Dogs retain their hunting instinct, which requires them to sleep long hours to preserve their energy. But it is in your best interest to take them to the vet to eliminate doubts and firmly establish that excessive sleeping is a normal habit of your dog, and there is no underlying medical condition causing it.