Do Dogs Sleep As Much As Cats?

The main differences

If you’re a pet parent to either a dog and a cat, you might have noticed that your pets spend an extraordinary amount of time sleeping. Cats are notorious for their crazy, long sleeping patterns. And dogs, while sleeping a lot, tend to have more varied sleeping patterns than cats.

But, the real questions is: do dogs sleep as much as cats?

Let’s explore the sleeping patterns of both dogs and cats to see how they compare.

Dogs:  Good Sleepers but Not as Sleepy as Cats

Dogs are known to sleep an average of 12 to 14 hours a day. While this is still a substantial amount of sleep, it doesn’t quite match the epic nap schedules of cats. However, certain factors—such as age, breed, and activity level—can influence how much sleep a dog needs.

Puppies tend to sleep up to 18 hours a day! Unlike humans, dogs don’t have a regular sleep regimen. They take several short naps during the day. 

Dogs often spend fifty percent of the day sleeping, thirty percent lying around awake, and just twenty percent being active. But unlike humans, dogs are flexible sleepers and can awaken easily.

Dogs also sleep less when they have more to do. Working pups, like farm dogs, sleep less than those that have little more to do than sit around a house all day. Which is why we need to exercise our dogs every day!

Cat Nap Champions: Why Cats Sleep So Much

Cats are famous for their love of sleep, and for good reason. On average, cats sleep between 13 and 16 hours a day, with some individual felines clocking in up to 18 hours of rest. This makes them one of the sleepiest animals in the world.

The reason behind cats’ extensive sleeping habits dates back to their wild ancestors. Wild cats are natural hunters, and hunting is an activity that requires intense bursts of energy. After a successful hunt, wild cats would conserve their energy by sleeping.

Domestic cats have retained this trait, even though they no longer need to hunt for food. Their bodies are still wired for short bursts of activity followed by long periods of rest.

In addition to their natural instincts, factors like age, diet, and personality also play a role in how much sleep a cat needs. Kittens and senior cats tend to sleep even more than adult cats, often pushing their daily nap totals to the higher end of the spectrum.

Different breeds/ages sleep different amounts

Puppies sleep much more often and usually up 18 to 20 hours a day, similar to kittens. This is because their bodies are growing rapidly and need extra rest to support development.

Senior dogs also tend to sleep more as they age and their energy levels decrease, much like older cats.

Large breeds such as Great Danes or Mastiffs tend to sleep more than smaller breeds, often needing up to 16 hours of sleep a day.

Unlike cats, dogs are pack animals, and their social nature can influence their sleep patterns. While cats are often solitary nappers, dogs enjoy sleeping near their family members and may even adjust their sleep schedule to align with their human companions.

Sleeping Patterns: Differences Between Dogs and Cats

The main difference between dogs and cats when it comes to sleep isn’t just the number of hours—they also have distinct sleeping patterns.

Polyphasic Sleep:

Both cats and dogs are polyphasic sleepers, meaning they sleep multiple times throughout the day rather than in one long stretch like humans. However, cats take this to an extreme. They typically take many short naps, known as "catnaps," which can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. These frequent naps allow cats to remain alert to their surroundings, even when resting.

Dogs, while also polyphasic, tend to have fewer but longer naps compared to cats. They may nap during the day but also have a longer, more consistent period of sleep at night.

REM Sleep:

Cats spend about 30% of their sleeping time in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the stage where dreaming occurs, and the brain is most active. Dogs, on the other hand, spend about 10% of their sleeping time in REM. This means that while cats may sleep more, they also experience more periods of deep sleep.

Some dogs legs or even ears twitch in their sleep, it’s most likely happening during the REM stage and when they are dreaming.

Because cats sleep more lightly and frequently, they are more adept at waking up quickly and springing into action—an instinctual behavior from their wild ancestors who needed to be alert for predators or prey.

Dogs, being more social animals, are often more relaxed during sleep and may take longer to fully wake up.

Energy and Activity Levels Affect Sleeping Patterns

One key reason dogs sleep less than cats are due to their differing energy needs. Cats are built for short, intense bursts of activity, like sprinting and pouncing, which are typically followed by long naps to recover.

Dogs, however, are more likely to engage in extended periods of lower-energy activity, like walking or playing, which doesn’t tire them out to the same extent.

Dogs also tend to be more active throughout the day, especially if they’re interacting with their owners. Playtime, walks, and companionship keep dogs busy, meaning they spend more of their time awake compared to their feline counterparts.

Social vs. Solitary Sleep

Another major difference between dogs and cats is how they approach sleep from a social standpoint. Cats are solitary creatures, and they prefer to sleep alone or in a quiet, undisturbed spot. Even though cats enjoy affection and attention when they’re awake, they value their independence, especially during rest.

Some cats love to sleep with their pet parents but tend to nap alone throughout the day.

Dogs, on the other hand, are pack animals and often prefer to sleep near their human family. Many dogs will adjust their sleep schedule to match their owners, even sleeping at night when their humans do. This social bond influences how much and when dogs sleep, making them more flexible with their sleep schedule than cats.

Conclusion: Who Sleeps More - Dogs or Cats?

So, do dogs sleep as much as cats? The simple answer is no. While dogs do spend a lot of time resting, cats are the true sleep champions, often sleeping several hours more than their canine counterparts. Cats’ natural instincts, hunting behaviors, and preference for solitary sleep drive their higher sleep requirements.

Dogs, while also nappers, are more socially driven and require less overall rest, particularly when they are active and engaged with their families. Both cats and dogs have unique sleep habits suited to their individual needs and preferences.

If your dogs tend to sleep a lot more than normal, it could be that your dog is bored. As always, make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and interaction. Play with them, walk them daily and leave dog toys where they are easily accessible to them. If your dog gets stimulation and exercise during the day, they will sleep better at night.