Is It Normal for a Dachshund to Sleep A Lot?

Dogs have the life – all they have to do is eat, play and sleep!

Believe it or not, sleep is a massive portion of a dog’s life, but if you’ve found yourself here, you may be questioning your Dachshund’s sleeping habits.

Is it normal for a Dachshund to sleep a lot? This article will answer that question for you.

There are many factors that pet parents need to think about before deciding if it’s something you need to see your veterinarian about.

How Much Does the Average Dog Sleep During the Day?

Dogs sleep on average 12-14 hours per day.

Cats sleep 12-16 hours per day, and horses only sleep about 3 hours a day, in case you were curious as to a comparison. 

There are several factors to consider when determining if your Dachshund sleeping a lot could possibly indicate there’s a health issue at hand. 

If your Dachshund is sleeping more than 14 hours per day, closely monitor their behavior while they are awake.

Pay attention to your dog when they’re awake to notice if anything seems abnormal or “off” about their behavior.

Are they eating and drinking normally? Are they lethargic or seem generally disconnected from the family?

If your dog’s behavior does not seem normal while they aren’t napping, it’s probably time to seek advice from your family veterinarian.

Circumstances That Could Affect Your Dachshund’s Sleep Patterns

Environmental factors

There are some environmental factors that could play a role in how much your Dachshund sleeps. These include:

New pets

If you just adopted your Dachshund, they are still getting used to their new surroundings.

Help them by quickly establishing a sleep schedule, and ensuring they have a quiet place to rest.

Sleep can also be affected if you bring an additional pet into the home because it can disrupt their routine.

Weather

It’s not uncommon for dogs to sleep more in the summer because the excessive heat can drain their energy.

However, suddenly becoming lethargic after spending time in the sun could signal a medical issue.

Look for signs of drooling, panting and lethargy because his could mean your pup is suffering from heat exhaustion.

Sleeping more in the colder, darker months is normal.

Likewise, if it’s cold and snowy in the winter but your Dachshund is a summer type of pup, it could affect their sleep.

Keep your Dachshund entertained and happy indoors with fun treat puzzles and games when it’s too cold to go out.

Your sleep schedule changed

Did you or someone in your home recently have a schedule change? Believe it or not, that can absolutely throw off your dog’s sleep.

But don’t worry – once the new routine is established, your Dachshund will follow suit. 

How age affects your Dachshund’s sleep schedule

Dachshund puppies sleep a lot – almost 15-20 hours is normal!

Senior dogs will also sleep more than younger dogs.

Older Dachshunds can have a harder time recovering from exertion, so if they have an active day, you may notice that they will sleep more in the following couple of days.

Many senior dogs develop joint pain as they age, and it will cause your Dachshund to be more tired.

You may notice that your senior dog is having issues standing or walking also, in which case they may be developing arthritis.

Talk to your vet about a joint health supplement to make your furry friend more comfortable.

On the other hand, puppies like to play, play, play!

And what happens after a dog, or even a human, plays for a while? They get super tired! Play hard, sleep hard. 

Encourage your puppy to stick to a sleep schedule and sleep in the same spot everyday.

Giving your dog plenty of play time can help them stick to a sleep schedule.

Repetition is helpful and crucial when it comes to your Dachshund getting adequate, restful sleep. A rested dog is a healthier dog.

Other Things to Consider When Determining If Your Dachshund Sleeping Too Much Is a Problem

There are a few more things to consider when assessing your Dachshund’s sleep schedule. 

Eating and drinking habits

If sleep is accompanied by unusual thirst or loss of appetite, you’ll want to see the vet immediately.

Strange sleep noises or movements

It’s cute when our Dachshunds dream and chase squirrels in their sleep, but you may want to evaluate them for odd sleeping behavior. This can include loud snoring or breathing difficulty.

These two factors could mean there’s a respiratory concern to seek treatment for. 

Not waking up to noises

Did your doorbell ring but your Dachshund didn’t jump out of bed to alert you?

They could be losing their hearing. Loss of hearing and sight can affect how much your dog sleeps. 

If you think your Dachshund may be losing their hearing, talk to your veterinarian about it.

Nutrition

Your dog’s diet can play a key role in their sleeping habits.

If your Dachshund isn’t getting adequate nutrition, they may be lacking the nutrients they need for their energy levels.

Poor diet can make your dog feel sluggish, and they may even have a hard time waking up or going to sleep.

If your dog isn’t getting enough food to eat, or the right kind, it can make them feel lethargic and sleep more.

Look closely at the label on your Dachshund’s food to make sure they are getting a well-balanced, nutritious diet and that you are feeding them the proper amount of food.

Recent bodily changes

Dachshunds who went through a recent surgery, whether it was an injury or a basic spay or neuter, will sleep more immediately following the procedure.

However, they will get back to a normal sleep schedule.

If you’ve noticed a drastic change in sleep despite your Dachshund’s healthy recovery from surgery, give your vet a call.

Medications can also make dogs sleepy.

Is our Dachshund getting enough down-time throughout the day?

Even if your Dachshund sleeps in bed with you at night, it’s important that your pup has their own quiet space to relax and sleep without you during the day.

Dachshunds love to burrow in blankets, so make some available for them in one or two spots around the house. That way then can “nest” inside of them, effectively shutting off the lights and muffling household noises.

Also give your dog a safe space to go when their is too much commotion in the house or guests are over.

A dog crate placed away from the busiest room in the house can be an excellent spot for your Dachshund to relax during the day.

Crates also help with other training when used properly.

Just make sure your dog has a bed and blanket to enjoy in their crate.

Final Thoughts

The average adult Dachshund will sleep anywhere from 12 to 14 hours per day.

Dachshund puppies are likely to sleep 15 to 20 hours per day.

Senior Dachshunds can waiver somewhere in between those two figures, depending on their overall health condition and exercise activity.

If your dog is sleeping more than this, it might be time to discuss their habits with your veterinarian.

About the Author: Through her 17 years of owning and caring for Dachshunds, and almost 10 years researching and writing about them, JW has become a respected expert in the Dachshund community. Read more about her here.