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Puppy Naps 2025: Vet’s Guide to How Much Sleep Puppies Need 🛌🐶

  • 91 days ago
  • 3 min read
Puppy Naps 2025: Vet’s Guide to How Much Sleep Puppies Need 🛌🐶

    In this article

Puppy Naps 2025: Vet’s Guide to How Much Sleep Puppies Need 🛌🐶

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

🛌 Introduction: Sleep Fuels Growth

Just like human babies, puppies need lots of sleep to grow, learn, and stay emotionally balanced. Yet many pet parents underestimate just how much downtime their pup really needs. As a veterinarian, I help families understand nap needs to support calmer, healthier development. 🐾

In this article, we’ll explore:

  • ✅ How much sleep puppies need by age
  • 🛋️ Signs of overtiredness
  • ⏰ How to create a nap-friendly schedule
  • 🔹 Tools from Ask A Vet, Woopf, and Purrz to help establish routines

1. How Much Sleep Does a Puppy Need? 🛌

Most puppies sleep 18–20 hours per day, especially under 4 months old. That includes overnight sleep and several naps spread throughout the day. Older puppies (5–12 months) still need 14–18 hours. ✨

2. Signs Your Puppy Is Overtired 😴😠

  • ⚠️ Zoomies or hyperactivity late in the day
  • 🧠 Snapping or nipping more than usual
  • 😔 Whining, clumsiness, or pacing
  • 🛏️ Trouble settling even after play or potty

Puppies don’t know when to rest. It’s up to us to provide structure. 📊

3. Sample Nap Schedule by Age 📆

Age Wake Time Nap Frequency Total Sleep
8–10 weeks 1–2 hrs 6–8 naps/day 18–20 hrs
11–14 weeks 2 hrs 5–6 naps/day 16–18 hrs
4–6 months 2–3 hrs 4–5 naps/day 14–16 hrs
7–12 months 3–4 hrs 2–3 naps/day 12–14 hrs

4. How to Encourage Better Naps 🛏️

  • 🏠 Use crates, pens, or quiet corners as safe zones
  • 🎵 Add white noise or calming music
  • 🧍 Practice solo time after meals and play
  • 🛰️ Schedule downtime in between high-energy sessions

5. Final Thoughts 👩⚕️

Sleep is where your puppy processes the world, builds immunity, and recharges for training and play. Set a healthy nap routine early, and you'll see a calmer, more focused pup. 🛏️🛌

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Dog Approved
Build to Last
Easy to Clean
Vet-Designed & Tested
Adventure-ready
Quality Tested & Trusted