Your German Shepherd puppy is a little ball of love and cuddliness. However, they sleep a lot! Just like a newborn human baby, they tend to sleep most of the time.
Why does my German Shepherd puppy sleep so much? A German shepherd puppy sleeps so much because of both the mental and physical development they are undergoing. Puppies grow at a fast rate and sleep is important for healthy growth and allows for rest from energy-consuming activities like playtime, exercise, walking, and learning of new things from their environment. Too much sleep can also be a result of illness, boredom, and an incomplete diet. Their body requires frequent rest to recuperate, recharge, and grow.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the common queries around puppy sleep so that you may further understand why your German Shepherd puppy sleeps so much and how you can care for them in this growth phase.
Table of Contents
Reasons Why A German Shepherd Puppy Sleeps So Much
Apart from the normal puppy sleeping habits for healthy growth, sleeping a lot could also be due to:
Illness
Illness can be a cause of prolonged sleep for a puppy.
If your puppy seems to have changed its sleeping habits or seems unusually tired it is important to consult your vet to check if they’re okay or if they are sick.
Talk to your vet also when your puppy sleeps over 20 hours a day.
Boredom
German shepherd puppies are active and energetic breeds. They require activities that stimulate them mentally and physically.
Playtime is a fun time to release energy as well as occupy them and when puppies are not engaged, the next best option would be to sleep. Provide them with simple toys or activities to keep them preoccupied.
Incomplete diet
A growing puppy requires the right food balance with nutrients that will support the growing stage. If the food is unbalanced and lacking critical ingredients for growth, a puppy will be stripped of essential elements that provide the energy that they need.
They can be lethargic and weak which leads them to sleep a lot due to a lack of energy and nutrients they need for proper body function.
Provide the best dog food for German Shepherd puppies to give them both energy and overall good health.
Recommended Reading: Can German Shepherd puppies eat Blueberries?
Being Tired
Activities such as exercise walking, playing and learning will also tire a puppy. They cannot engage in these activities for a prolonged period so they sleep to rest and recharge.
This is quite normal and after having a good rest they should be able to engage well in their normal activities.
How Many Hours A Day Does A German Shepherd Puppy Sleep?
A German Shepherd puppy sleeps between 15 to 20 hours a day. This is a normal sleep schedule for the puppy during this growth stage.
The daytime sleeping habits can range from 30 minutes to two hours. Sleeping may come after every hour of being awake or after activities of play, eating, exercise, or walks. During the daytime work around their sleeping habits by setting up a schedule for eating, taking walks, or playtime.
The nighttime sleeping habits range from 6 to 10 hours. Just like a newborn baby, puppies will not sleep throughout the night in the early days. You have to wake up to check up on them when they wake up. This definitely takes patience, however in time, after 16 weeks, they should be able to sleep throughout the night.
Where Should German Shepherd Puppies Sleep?
German shepherd puppies should sleep in a crate. Make the sleeping area comfortable by providing cushions and blankets in their crate to keep them warm and comfortable. Also, place the crate in a room that is quiet and safe for them to get restful sleep.
During daytime don’t be surprised if you find them sleeping in random places. However, don’t wake them up when you do find them asleep. The most important thing is to make sure they’re safe and comfortable where they sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bad that my puppy sleeps a lot?
No, it is not bad that your puppy sleeps a lot. It is actually perfectly normal and healthy for them to sleep for prolonged periods. A puppy is like a human newborn baby who sleeps 90% of the time. Sleep is important because it gives the puppy’s body time to rest from the many activities they engage in during the day such as learning the world around them, play, and a bit of training they receive. This is all exhausting for a puppy and takes up a lot of energy. Sleep allows for rest as well as for mental and physical development.
Should I wake my puppy up at night to pee?
Yes, you should wake your puppy up at night to pee. Puppies below 4 months are not completely in control of their bladders and this will require you to wake them up to pee. The usual time to start with is 3 to 4 hours after they sleep.
Don’t be alarmed because of this because you only need to do this only once during the night. You can set an alarm to wake you or in time you will get to know the best time to wake them up to pee based on your puppy’s individual patterns.
Conclusion
Sleep is indeed very important for a well-rested and healthy growing puppy. I hope this article helped you know why your German Shepherd puppy sleeps a lot as well as what to do to make them comfortable during this growth stage. In case you notice unusual sleep habits of more than 20 hours a day, consult your vet to determine if they are ok.
If you liked this article you may also like to learn more from the below resources on German Shepherds.