Top 10 Tips to help your dog get their best nights sleep

Author: Alicia   Date Posted:19 April 2023 

A good night's sleep is important for your dogs health and wellbeing! We have made an easy 'Top 10 Tips' to ensure your pup is getting their best sleep. 

Dogs can sleep from anywhere from 12 to 18 hours per day. Many factors may cause this amount to change such as:

  • Older dogs - They often sleep more as they tend to tire out easily. 
  • Puppies - Are very active and energetic creatures but they burn out quickly and require many nap times to keep up day to day. They also use alot of energy towards growing. 

Here are our Top 10 Tips to help your dog get their best nights sleep!

1. Create a Dog Nighttime Routine 

All dogs need a routine, often if their bed time routine is sporadic they can't get used to anything and therefore won't be able to figure out what they are suppose to be doing. 

A dog will need a specifc daily routine for:

  • Walks 
  • Exercise/ Playtime 
  • Feeding
  • Naps 
  • Bedtime 

2. Manage your dogs naps 

To ensure your pup is going to be tired and ready for bed it is important that you try to limit napping within 2 hours of bedtime. If your dog does sleep before bed, they won't be tired enough to sleep again. 

3. Feed your pup before bed time

It is important to feed your pup around 3 - 4 hours before bed time to allow for plently of time for bathroom breaks so there are no accidents over night.

4. Exercise will help make a dog sleepy

If your dog is energetic it can be helpful to set aside some play time about 1 - 1.5 hours before bed. It's important that you dog gets to burn all of their mental and physical energy during the day. 

If you do have a tight schedual and struggle to fit in playtime around this time of the day... That's ok!! That is why we sell a wide variety of puzzle toys and boredom busters.

Promote relaxation to help make a dog sleep 

  • If you are wanting your dog to sleep you'll need to make sure that they are relaxed, calm, not anxious and not stressed. It's important to ease them into bedtime. 30 minutes of relaxation is your superpower in calming your pet down before bed. 

5. Use the dogs crate to create a sleeping area

If your dog is a night owl, crate training can be a very helpful stratergy. Not only does it give your pup a safe place it also means that you can limit access to the entire house. Putting a bed inside the cage can create a more comfortable space for your pet therefore relaxing and calming them. Make the crate a positive experience by throwing in a chewtoy or treat and saying 'bedtime'. your pup will willingly start to go into the crate once they realise that it is not a negitive experience. 

6. Try calming music or white noise to calm your dog for sleep

There are certain types of music that has been proven to enhance your dogs sleep. The Journal of Physiology and behaviour concluded that the two genres that calm canines the most are reggae and soft rock. It has been proven that the music can prevent your dog from feeling alone, and the soothing sounds of music will help your dog rest peacefully. 

7. Give the dog a bed for comfortable dog sleep 

You may or may not allow your dog to sleep in your bed at night. Either way your pup should have their own bed for naps and sleeping when they desire. It can create a home feeling for them and a safe space. We have a wide variety of beds to suit any home and any pet. 

Our wide range of pet bedding can help your dogs orthopaedic issues, cooling down or even warming your pup back up. 

8. Chew toys can help soothe a dog for sleep 

Licking and chewing are a soothing solution for dogs. When a dog is stressed or over mentally stimuated a chew toy often calms and relaxes your pet. This can be seen when dogs distroy furniture or shoes. Providing your dog with a variety of chew toys or lick toys could help soothe and relax them. 

9. Pick up the water

If your dog is a heavy drinker, leave some water but not a whole bowl. You don't want your pup to need to go to the toliet during the night. Make the last call toliet trip as late as possible to make sure no mistakes are made during the night.

10. Give your dog supplements to help them sleep 

If all else fails there are a number of natural sleeping & relaxing agents that are safe and effective for dogs. 

 

 

 

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