Why Does My Chow Chow Sleep So Much? (Explained)

Chow Chow dogs are sleepaholics and love resting. But they are active and love to be given a job in their playtime, and some physical and mental exercises will always be delightful. As a new dog owner, you may question why your chow sleeps so much.

But there is nothing to worry about unless your dog follows their daily routine and is persistently following their sleep cycle. 

Why Does My Chow Chow Sleep So Much?

Chow Chow dogs sleep an average of 12-16 hours a day. As stated in a research study published in the Journal of Current Opinion in Behavioral Science, dogs sleep for the same reasons humans sleep and follow a similar possible sleep cycle.

How Much Do Chow Chow Sleep?

Chow Chow dogs usually sleep for around 12-16 hours a day.

On the other hand, it depends on every individual dog’s age and activity level. Puppies and senior dogs require more sleep; they sleep for around 18-20 hours daily. 

Newborns

Newborns are a brief period in their life and include lots of shut eyes. During the first few weeks of it, they only tend not to sleep while nursing; their nursing time is about every 2 hours throughout the day. And doing so, they keep their eyes shut, and it seems like they are eating in their sleep. 

Gradually, as they grow three weeks old, they will slowly start to hang about 2-4 hours in 24 hours, into small bursts of energy by playing and exploring around. 

Puppies

As puppies rapidly grow and change, they need enough sleep to refresh and restore their growing bodies. Puppies from 2-5 months will sleep around 18-20 hours throughout the day, which includes naps day and night. And by 4 months old, your puppy can learn to sleep through the night with some love and guidance. 

Older puppies from 6-12 months old will sleep around 14-16 hours a day, And by now, your Chow Chow needs to be more active and attentive during the day and involved in their daily activities, so they get tired and have a sufficient night’s sleep for about 7-9 hours. They may also be taking many naps during the daytime and lying around just resting.   

Adults

Adult Chow Chow normally sleeps around 12-16 hours a day, and as time goes by, your dog is middle age or older they may tend to sleep more than young adults. They get tired faster than the younger group of Chow and are prone to take small naps.

And as fact, older and middle age dogs sleep more at night than younger dogs because they mostly wake up in the middle of the night and then again go back to sleep and then wake up late in the morning. That’s why they sleep longer than the younger group of Chows. 

It can depend on each dog’s personality, environment, and lifestyle of their home and their family members. 

Seniors

Your Chow Chows become senior dogs when they turn 8 years old, and you will see them gradually increasing their sleep. It won’t happen suddenly as they grow older; they will slow down and might not have much energy compared to a younger puppy. They sleep for around 14-16 hours a day, and as they age 10-14 years old or older, they sleep for 18 hours a day.   

At this age, your Chow Chow’s sleep schedule also changes slowly, It is completely normal for your Chow Chow to take more naps during the day, and this happens because as they grow older, their bladder is also getting older, and they need to use the potty more frequently. You can help by decreasing their water intake at night and taking them out before bed.

If your older Chow Chow has a sudden change in their sleeping pattern, first things first, you should directly consult your vet. They could have serious health issues at this age, like arthritis, dementia, hypothyroidism, etc. 

4 Benefits Of Chow Chow Getting Enough Sleep

Chow Chow is very loveable, loyal, and one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. These dogs are known for their independent and calming nature. Although some people are unaware that Chow needs a lot of sleep to stay happy and healthy. 

There are some considerable benefits to guarantee that your Chow Chow gets enough sleep. 

1. First, getting enough sleep helps them maintain their body weight; Their body releases a hormone that helps to balance metabolism while sleeping. 
2. Second, sleeping is necessary for your Chow’s proper brain development and functioning. This happens during their sleep, and their brain brings them to rest and which helps them recover from the entire day’s activities. 
3. Third, an ample amount of sleep helps to keep your chow’s joints and bones healthy. This is because their body releases a substance that lubricates their joints while sleeping. 
4. Fourth, sleeping for a sufficient period helps to keep your chow’s immune system strong. This happens during sleep and is very important because a robust immune system helps and prevents them from getting sick. 

Chow Chow’s Health Issues That Might Cause Lots Of Sleeping

We have specified how important it is to take care and observe that your Chow Chow’s sleep schedule is regular with their other daily activities. Being happy and healthy for Chow’s is necessary, and sticking to their daily routine helps a lot. 

Some serious health issues could cause excessive sleeping in your Chow Chow. So, let us look at some possible health-related reasons why your Chow Chow has suddenly started sleeping more than their regular sleep pattern. 

Canine Influenza (Dog Flu)

According to the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), they have clarified that dogs can get the flu just like people. But Canine Flu is not as same as people flu, and people can’t catch it from dogs. 

Canine Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease. Dogs that come into this canine influenza may sleep more than usual and suffer respiratory distress. 

Autoimmune Thyroiditis

The American Kennel Club (AKC) explains that Chow Chows are especially liable for thyroid disorders, which include autoimmune thyroiditis. And having low thyroid functions also causes an enormous amount of sleep. 

Joint Pain,

The Chow Chow Club of America mentions that  Chow Chows can be defenseless when suffering serious joint issues like elbow and hip dysplasia and patellar luxation (kneecap). 

And if your Chow Chow suffers from joint pain or joint stiffness, they might not want to move or play, and they will ultimately sleep more. 

Overweight, Obesity, Or Diabetes

As Chows are sleepaholic and loves eating a lot too and loves resting when there is nothing to do, it can be quite a challenging task to maintain their gaining weight.

When a Chow Chow gets too heavy, they are less hopeful of exercising. Extra weight can put more stress on the joints, and Obesity can specifically be rough on Chow Chow. 

Do Chow Chows Have Anxiety?

Chow Chow are the most affectionate, calm, and loveable breed in the world, And they are very much attached to their owners; they may have separation anxiety if they are left out for too long without their respectful owners. 

Do All Chow Chow Dogs Sleep A Lot?

No, but Chows do sleep a lot and are also popularly known as the “sleeping dog,” This is not to say that all Chows sleep a lot or are lazy. The Chow Dog owners have explained that some Chow Chows are active, dynamic, and energetic. And if your Chow Chow is active and energetic, there is nothing to worry about, And that is because there are some specific genetic influences in some chows. 

FAQ

Conclusion

Chow Chow dogs sleep an average of 12-14 hours a day. They are not habitually social, outgoing dogs but non-sporty and low-energy dogs. These dogs are sleepaholics and love resting. But they are active and love to be given a job during playtime. 

On the other hand, it depends on the individual dog’s age and activity level. Puppies and older dogs tend to sleep more, for around 18-20 hours a day. But there is nothing to worry about unless your Chow Chow follows their daily routine and persistently follows their sleep cycle. 

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