There are some medical reasons that are related to a dog's tendency to sleep while standing up. One of these reasons is old age. As your dog ages, she might develop arthritis or hip dysplasia, both of which will cause her a lot of pain and interfere with movement, including folding her legs to lie down.
3. Stress, Anxiety, and Boredom. A dog that is going through psychological difficulties such as anxiety, stress, and boredom would sleep a lot. If your dog is stressed or feeling anxious, you will notice them becoming lethargic and they will doze off often.
Like people, older dogs can experience some cognitive decline and, in some cases, dementia. One of the earliest symptoms of dementia in dogs is restlessness and shifting sleep cycles.
Vestibular disease is the main reason why an older dog may experience a sudden loss of balance and an inability to stand or walk normally. How can you tell if a dog has a vestibular disease? A few of the signs include dizziness, stumbling or wobbly steps, and falling over.
“The older they get, the more sleep they need, and that's OK,” says Dr. Rossman. Just like senior citizens need more sleep, an older dog sleeps a lot when compared to their younger counterparts. On the higher end of the scale, a senior dog can sleep up to 18-20 hours a day, says Dr.
Pain and Mobility
Signs of pain in dogs tend to be very subtle. It usually starts as reluctance to do what they have done easily in the past, like jumping up on furniture or in the car, that then progresses to inability to do these things at all. Walks become shorter, or their gait changes during the walks.
If your dog is sleeping more now that they are older, that isn't a reason to worry for their health. If your dog doesn't sleep much more than they did when they were younger, that may be normal for your dog.
Signs To Look For
Some common signs that it may be time to put your pup down include the inability or refusal to eat or drink, labored breathing, an inability to get up for potty times without help, urinary or fecal incontinence, and immobility. Essentially, this can come down to your dog's quality of life.
Small dogs are considered senior citizens of the canine community when they reach 11-12 years of age. Their medium-sized friends become seniors at 10 years of age. Their larger-sized colleagues are seniors at 8 years of age. And, finally, their giant-breed counterparts are seniors at 7 years old.
Large dogs may age faster, becoming seniors as early as 6 or 7, while smaller dogs may not start showing signs of age until they are 9 or 10. One of the most common concerns in senior dogs is arthritis, which can cause a dog to move stiffly and slowly and sometimes also gain weight because of decreased activity.
Lack of Interest and Depression
Dogs at the end of their lives frequently lose interest in their favorite things, from walks and toys to treats and even their beloved owners.
Constant whining or whimpering lets you know that something just isn't right with your dog. Even more obvious than a whine, a yelp or crying out in pain when you touch your dog is his way of letting you know that he hurts.
It's quite common especially for young pups and older senior dogs to fall asleep while standing up or sitting up. For the younger pups they just don't want to stop having fun. They literally wear themselves out and crash somewhere to sleep. Older dogs need more rest based on their health and age.
Restless sleep is most commonly seen in puppies and younger dogs, especially after a big change or if sleeping arrangements are in a hot room. However, there can be more serious medical conditions that may be affecting your dog's sleep. We need to consider canine dementia, pain, or anxiety.
Even if your dog is considered senior, you'll still want to give them at least 30 minutes of daily exercise. Because of their age, exercise might need to become shorter but it's still necessary to make sure they're getting the required stimulation. Choose low-impact activities. Go on walks, not runs.
It can vary a bit based on each dog, but your puppy likely will hit “adolescence” around 7-10 months, with 8-9 months being the peak described by most owners.
The most challenging time of raising a puppy is the adolescent period. Dogs become “teenagers” and seem to forget everything they have ever been taught. This period is individual to each dog, but it may begin when he's about eight months old and continue until he's two years old.
As dogs get older, their energy level starts to decrease. They need more sleep to recharge and be at their best during the day. For this reason, it is normal for a senior dog to sleep up to 20 hours a day. This can definitely make it feel like your old dog sleeps all day.
Many frustrated pet parents observe their pet's ability to remember to go outside deteriorating as they get older, but it's typically not disobedience on the part of the dog. Senior dogs typically need a bathroom break every 4-6 hours.
Senior Dogs
Dogs start to need more rest between the ages of five and 10 years old. According to Dr. Georgina Ushi Phillips, DVM, senior dogs sleep between 18 to 20 hours per day, much like they did as a puppy. If you see your older pooch napping for most of the day, it's probably not a cause for concern.