Are you worried that your basset hound isn’t getting enough sleep or that he might be sleeping a lot? Sleep is very important. Especially for a basset hound puppy. All puppies sleep more than adult dogs. But, how much sleep should your basset hound get?
How Much Sleep Should a Basset Hound Have?
A basset hound puppy will sleep 16 to 22 hours a day while a basset hound over a year old will sleep 13 to 18 hours a day. Basset hounds sleep a lot because they do not have a very active lifestyle. They will nap a lot of times throughout the day.
Everyone knows that dogs require sleep for health and growth, but did you know that the amount of sleep needed varies according to age? Generally speaking, an adult Basset Hound will need about 10 to 14 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period.
Basset puppies require more sleep. During their first six weeks of life, puppies should be getting 16 to 22 hours of sleep each day. By the time they are approximately four months, the average Basset pup should be settling into a pattern of 12 to 14 hours, plus a nap or two during the day.
Senior Basset Hounds often benefit from more rest due to a decline in activity level and energy, so they can often get away with 16 hours or more of snoozing time every day. As always, consult your veterinarian any time you have questions or concerns about how much sleep your pooch is getting.
Setting up the perfect sleeping area for your Basset can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Start by deciding on a place with minimal distractions and easy access for your pet. An appropriate sleeping surface for a dog is preferably firm. This could consist of anything from special orthopedic-grade bedding to soft blankets, whichever is more comfortable for your pooch.
How a Lifestyle Affects The Napping Time Of The Basset Hound
Every dog is different. There are no two same dogs in this world. Some dogs are high-energy creatures that only calm down when they eat and sleep. Other dogs are more laid back, simply enjoying the quiet life. Where do Basset Hounds lie on this spectrum?
If you try to describe a basset hound with one word it would be ”Relax”. Originally, basset hounds have been bred as hunting dogs. They did have high energy levels at the beginning of their career. But, at this moment, they enjoy their title as luxury house pets.
Basset hounds are very laid-back, low-energy dogs that love their owners but are not always in the mood to play.
At this moment, the basset hound is mostly used as a family dog. There are very few basset hounds service dogs because they are known to be hard to train. The basset hound is a short-legged dog that hates stairs. Also, it doesn’t fall into the strong dog category and is not very useful as a service dog. The only area where a basset hound can be a service dog is the emotional support dog.
Being an emotional support dog can be quite challenging, but this is not considered a busy lifestyle. Meaning, your basset hound will not be overloaded with work and will not be woken most time of the day. They can be emotional support dogs and still get their beauty sleep which can be up to 22 hours per day.
Age has a great effect on how much your basset hound is sleeping. Young basset hound puppies will sleep from 16 to 22 hours per day while basset hounds older than a year will sleep from 13 to 18 hours per day.
Is Your Basset Hound Sleeping Too Much?
So your basset hound is sleeping a lot. Even though 13 to 18 hours per day is considered normal, sleeping 19 hours per day is still considered normal. Sleeping for more than 20 hours is something that you should be concerned about.
There are several reasons why your basset hound might be sleeping more than usual.
- Sick – Your basset hound could be sleeping more than usual because he might be sick. Even basset hounds get colds. Extra rest will help battle the sickness. You shouldn’t be worried if this is happening only for 3 – 4 days.
- Aging – Same as people, as your basset hound is getting older, it will sleep more and more. There is nothing you can do to prevent aging. Once your basset hound is more than 7 years old, let him get as much sleep as needed.
- Overweight – Basset hound is a kind of breed that is prone to getting overweight very easily. You will notice that once your basset hound is overweight, it will tend to sleep more. Ease up on the treats and increase the walks.
You can set up a sleeping routine that your basset hound will follow. It is okay for them to sleep throughout the night. You can put them in bed a couple of times during the day.
I found out that my basset hound loves to nap after a meal and so I have made it a routine for him.
Also, pay attention when you are waking your basset hound. If it takes more time than usual to wake up your dog, you might want to talk to a professional.
Is Your Basset Hound Sleeping Too Little?
Perhaps your basset hound is sleeping too little. Sleep is important and this can be very concerning.
Even though a basset hound is a low-energy dog, sleeping too little could be a sign of built-up energy that needs to be spent. You should be taking your basset hound for a daily walk.
A simple daily walk in the park, around the block, or in the backyard is perfectly fine for a daily exercise of the basset hound.
Our lives can be busy sometimes. Things don’t always happen as we plan them. Sometimes it could be weeks since you took your basset hound out for a walk. Not spending a lot of time with your basset hound, plus all of the missed walks could result in your basset hound sleeping too little due to pent-up energy.
If you are taking your basset hound for daily walks and he is still not sleeping enough, it is time to consult with a veterinarian as melatonin might be the solution.
Melatonin is one of the most commonly used natural sleeping aid that most basset hounds tolerate well. Melatonin is given based on your basset hound’s weight. Usually, 1-2 mg is the starting dose. You have to consult with a veterinarian if you are about to go above 5 mg.
The more unfortunate case could be that your basset hound has arthritis. The thinning of the cartilage in the joints is very uncomfortable and makes sleeping very difficult. Again, consult with a professional and get the best care possible that your basset hound deserves.
Most Common Basset Hound Sleeping Disorders and What to Do About Them
There are certain sleeping disorders that your Basset Hound can have. They can be quite concerning, especially if you don’t know what you are up against. Here are the most common sleeping disorders that your basset hound might have:
- Narcolepsy – Narcolepsy is a nervous system disorder that is associated with very low levels of hypocretin which helps maintain focus and normal sleep patterns. If your basset hound suddenly falls down asleep, usually during the walks, with its eyes moving back and forth, it could be a possible sign of narcolepsy.
- Insomnia – The most common sleeping disorder that your basset hound might have is Insomnia. This disorder manifests in the inability to sleep. If your basset hound never sleeps, he might have insomnia.
- Sleep Apnea – Sleep Apnea is a condition of narrowing of your basset hound’s nasal passageway which results in loud snoring sounds. I am talking about snoring that can wake you up even if you are in the other room.
