West Michigan born and raised since 1989!
West Michigan born and raised since 1989!
West Michigan born and raised since 1989!
West Michigan born and raised since 1989!



A Look at How Long Your Pet Should Sleep Each Day

As you lovingly gaze upon your pet taking yet another snooze, you might find yourself wondering just how long pets should sleep each day. And since sleeping too much could point to an illness developing, it’s an important thing to know. But every pet is different — and the sleeping needs of dogs and cats often change through each life stage. To help you better understand what to expect now and through the years, here’s a look at the typical sleeping needs of both dogs and cats.


If your cat is not eating, playing, or grooming themselves, they are undoubtedly sleeping. In fact, across all life stages, cats sleep anywhere from 15 to 20 hours a day. They don’t get all their rest in at once, of course, instead choosing to take plenty of naps around the clock.

Kittens and seniors will often hit the 20-hour mark, especially if you open up your warm lap for them to lie in. Adult cats get around 15 hours of sleep each day on average, though it differs from cat to cat.  

At any age, cats are crepuscular, preferring to use up all their energy just before dawn and right after dusk. So, that’s why you hear your cat get up around 4am and bounce around the house like wild. It’s also why the most rambunctious playtimes seem to happen right as everyone else is winding down for bed.


Since their routines tend to match their owners’, dogs are a bit more respectful of regular sleep schedules. They also do not need to get nearly as much sleep as cats do each day.

In fact, most dogs are happy to get about 12 to 14 hours of sleep a day, primarily at night when everyone else is snoozing the night away. They also take lots of naps, especially when there’s nothing better to do.

Puppies may enjoy up to 18 hours of sleep instead, giving their minds and bodies plenty of time to do all that growing. Senior dogs are equally prone to getting more sleep due to their minds and bodies slowing down through the years.

As your dog ages, you should see their need for sleep gradually increase, not happen all at once. If your dog ever seems much more fatigued than normal, then it’s wise to have them checked out at the vet. The same goes for cats since extra sleep could mean they are fighting an illness, infection, or other issue.

What to Do When Your Pet Sleeps Too Much

If your pet is sleeping too much or something just seems a bit off with them, just schedule a visit to your vet to see what’s going on. Your vet can let you know if their sleep schedule seems within the range of normal and perform an exam to see if something’s wrong. If all is well, they can provide the info needed to resolve your worries and help you provide the best care possible for your beloved pet.