How Much do Labs Sleep in a Day?

How much do Labs sleep? Are you the proud new owner of a Labrador Retriever? Then welcome to the club! You’re in for an adventure! (Well, assuming that pile of snoozing pup lying next to you ever decides to wake up!) Come to think of it, you’re probably wondering if it’s normal for your Lab to sleep as much as he does. Makes sense–these dogs do seem to sleep a lot!

So how much do Labs sleep in a day? Adult Labradors can be expected to sleep as much as 12-14 hours per day. Young puppies and senior Labs tend to sleep even longer, often around 18 hours each day.

So if your Lab is always snoozing the day away, then he’s in good company! Even still, you’ll want to look out for red flags when it comes to your Lab’s sleeping patterns in order to avoid potential problems.

How Long do Labradors Sleep in a Day?

Age is a very important factor when it comes to how much sleep your Lab will need. Just like you, your pup will require different amounts of sleep at different stages of his life. 

In the puppy stage, you shouldn’t be surprised to see your Lab snoozing for a good 18-20 hours every day. This is especially true of puppies under four months of age. Like human babies, Lab puppies need a lot of sleep to grow up healthy and strong.

And he’ll need your help in getting all the sleep his little body requires! Your Lab puppy should always have easy access to a quiet, private place where he can go to catch some shut eye. A crate with some nice soft padding makes for a great sleeping environment. As does a cozy bed tucked away in a low-traffic corner.

As your Lab begins to enter his adult years, you’ll notice that he’ll start sleeping less. During this stage of his life, you can expect your Lab to sleep for around 12-14 hours each day. Which means a lot more fun and active awake time!  

Senior Labradors, like puppies, also tend to sleep much longer than their adult counterparts. On the lower end, they’ll need about 14-15 hours of sleep each day. But it’s not unusual for an elderly Lab to snooze for up to 20 hours.

Again, your Lab should have a quiet place where he can retreat for a snooze during all stages of life.

These sleep need estimates are just the basics. Other factors can also affect the amount of sleep your Lab needs.

For instance, if your pup is recovering from surgery or another illness, he’s going to need more sleep than usual to help him get back on his feet. Pregnant Labs will also need a few extra hours of shut eye, especially during the early and final stages of their pregnancy.     

When do Labradors Sleep?

Labradors are very flexible when it comes to sleeping. Unlike people who get all their sleep in at once, dogs can snooze on and off without repercussions.

Which means that if your dog is sleeping, you don’t need to tip-toe around in fear of waking him.

(‘Course that’s not to say you shouldn’t let sleeping dogs lie–because you should! You don’t want to purposely go waking your Lab up when he’s snoozing.)

But if you do happen to make a sudden noise or the doorbell rings or the kids are shouting–don’t worry too much about your sleeping Lab. He’ll probably wake up to see what all the fuss is about and then go right back to sleep!    

This is because dogs are adaptable. They can wake up throughout the day when things get exciting and then go right back to snoozing when life gets dull. It won’t make them tired and grumpy like it would us!

In addition to sleeping on and off throughout the day, dogs will also mirror their owner’s sleep schedule. (There’s not much exciting going on when the rest of the household is snoozing, after all!) So you should expect your Lab to sleep through the night along with you.

If this is not the case and he seems to be constantly active at night, you should consider what might be causing his midnight wanderings. For instance, if he’s still a puppy, he may be trying to adjust to sleeping all on his own. Or perhaps he’s not getting enough exercise during the day to tire him out.

Normal and Abnormal Sleeping Habits in Labradors

So what’s normal when it comes to a sleeping Labrador? And more importantly, what are the things to watch out for? Not sleeping through the night is definitely one reason for concern. But there’s some other things you should look out for as well.

1. Circling and Digging

A Lab that circles and digs around his bed prior to settling in is to be expected. Their ancestors used to do this in the wild to get comfortable before taking a snooze.

However, when the circling becomes excessive, there may be cause for concern, as your pup could be suffering from arthritis or pain.

This is especially true if your dog seems to constantly have trouble setting in and getting comfortable. If you suspect arthritis or other issues, take a trip to your vet. 

2. Twitching and Movement

A dog that twitches or makes noises in their sleep is also quite common. If you notice your Lab doing this, it means he has entered into REM sleep and is getting a good, deep rest.

Along with leg twitches, you may notice some occasional barks, grunts, or tail wagging. Your dog is probably dreaming and acting out his dreams. It’s quite entertaining to watch, actually!

And that’s about all you should do when you notice your Lab’s entered into his REM cycle: just watch! Petting him or otherwise waking him up is not recommended, as this stage of sleep is very important to good health.

While you typically shouldn’t disturb a sleeping Lab, there are instances where you should definitely intervene–

For instance, if your Lab is experiencing a seizure. Labradors, among a few other breeds, are particularly prone to having seizures. Most often they don’t happen during sleep, but it is not unheard of.

Rather than the occasional twitches characteristic of a dreaming dog, a Lab experiencing a seizure will have violent movements. His limbs will be stiff and rigid, and he may urinate or defecate on himself. He’ll also be much harder to awaken than a dreaming dog.

If you suspect your Lab is having a seizure in his sleep, say his name loudly or make a sudden noise to see if you can awaken him. If he doesn’t seem to snap out of it, then sit next to him to make sure he doesn’t fall or harm himself.

After the seizure has ended, calmly reassure him as he’ll be disoriented. And lastly–though it goes without saying–give your vet a call.  

Helping Your Labrador Get Better Sleep

There are a few different things you can do to help your Labrador get the most out of his sleep. These include:

• Ensuring he gets proper exercise during the day so he is tired enough to sleep at night.
• Making sure he has a proper bed that is comfy and inviting.
• Placing his bed in a quiet place away from the daily hustle and bustle.
• Only disrupting a REM cycle in cases of emergency.

If you’re a first-time Lab owner, this may feel like a lot to take in. And I’m sure your dog’s sleeping habits are only the first of your worries.

But try not to become overwhelmed. After a few weeks with your new pup, you’ll get a feel for his habits, and you’ll be able to distinguish between normal and abnormal sleeping behaviors.

Of course if you ever have any concerns you can always call your vet. Otherwise, let your sleeping Lab lie! After all, who doesn’t like getting a little bit of shut-eye?   

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