Sleep

We have all witnessed it. Our pet dog sleeping hour after hour drooling, snoring and laying in the most uncomfortable postures. And yet with the rattle of the lead, Fido is instantly wide awake, ready to go for a walk. Compare this behaviour with yours: waking up, trying to grab an extra two minutes under the duvet, staggering toward the bathroom, and then onward to the kitchen to make the first brew of the day. Let’s face it: Unlike our dog, we are not at our best first thing in the morning.

Let’s start with circadian rhythms. I suspect that many of you are thinking the obvious. What the heck are circadian rhythms?

The circadian rhythm regulates the awake and sleep cycles. It is influenced by temperature and light and occurs over a 24-hour period. We humans share this circadian rhythm with our dogs and other animals, and the key to a good night’s sleep for all is a regular routine with minimal stress.

Dogs sleep between 12 and 18 hours a day, and puppies and senior dogs are obvious candidates for the upper end.

Puppies don’t have the energy reserves of adult dogs, and what they have is quickly used up by growing, exploring and having to learn.

Elderly dogs may suffer from all the ailments that afflict elderly humans and, as such, tire so much quicker.

It should also be noted that many other factors influence sleep among our canines. The larger the dog, the more it needs to sleep, and dogs that live in boring and lack-stimulating circumstances will spend more hours asleep.

Certain breeds are notorious for their sleep ability, and the greyhound is probably the most recognised. Having owned one of these incredible dogs, I got used to their extraordinary ability to sleep for hours regardless of what was happening around them.

Types of sleep and disorders

Slow wave sleep (SWS) refers to light brain activity that can be likened to a nap.

Rapid eye movement (REM) is high brain activity leading to deeper sleep. Canines spend around 10% of their sleep time in this repose compared to humans, who spend up to 25% of their sleep time in the REM mode, and this explains the difference. It should be pointed out that during the REM period, the dog may exhibit strange behaviour: twitching, whining and crying out. This is generally considered the time that Fido is dreaming, but if your pet shows signs of extreme distress, a visit to the veterinary surgeon is necessary.

Canines can also suffer from sleep disorders. The common ones are…..

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder which leads to excessive daytime sleeping despite having undisturbed nighttime sleep. There is no cure, but fortunately, it is not life-threatening and doesn’t get worse with age. Not all dogs need treatment, but medication can be prescribed in extreme cases.

Obstructive sleep Apnea is a condition in which breathing is disrupted by restricted air flow. It is particularly prevalent in dogs with short muzzles, such as bulldogs and pugs.

Humans enjoy deep sleep for extended periods, so they sleep fewer hours.

Joining you in bed?

Finally, research shows that allowing your dog to sleep on the bed may assist both humans and dogs in having a more restful night. However, before allowing your pet to join you at bedtime, please consider the possible consequences.

When going for a walk, even dogs who have been treated for parasites can pick up the odd flea or tick, and you definitely don’t want to be sharing with either of those. Hygiene can be a huge issue, particularly as dogs grow older, and even a case of very mild incontinence can become a problem.

A dog with an anal gland problem, to relieve the discomfort, may decide to slide its bottom along the sheet. I’m not sure if the skid marks on the bed linen will meet with your approval.

Also, if Fido has spent ten years sleeping on, or even worse, under the covers, they will be extremely distressed if you suddenly stop what has been a lifestyle that you instigated. It should also be remembered that as they age, big dogs will need assistance to jump on the bed, but will you be able to help as you grow older? You may also need to invest in incontinence sheets.

Of course, one way forward would be to change your traditional bed for a Japanese futon!!

For those of you who are single, a future partner may not be too keen on this particular version of three in a bed.

Over the years, I have been asked the question many times and written about it, so yet again.

Do I allow my dog to sleep on my bed?

The answer is always the same for the reasons I have just laid out regarding hygiene: NO.

I provide two identical beds, one in the lounge and one in the bedroom.

Finally, a pet who is sharing your bed, scratching, snoring, farting or licking its cheeky bits is generally not considered to be much of an aphrodisiac!!