How Much Do Puppies Sleep?

Puppies sleep a lot, but the sources give different numbers: the AKC says puppies usually sleep 18 to 20 hours a day, while VCA says a puppy might sleep 10 or 14 hours a day, and that this variation is normal. Between them, that’s anywhere from about 10 to 20 hours, so don’t worry if your puppy doesn’t match one exact figure.

What each source says

• AKC: puppies usually sleep 18 to 20 hours a day.
• VCA Animal Hospitals: a puppy might sleep 10 or 14 hours a day, and that range is normal. At 2 months, VCA says, bursts of activity take up about 4 to 6 hours of the day.
• Research: a 2020 study by Kinsman and colleagues, part of the Dogs Trust Generation Pup project, asked owners about their dogs’ sleep. Owners of 16-week-old puppies reported longer daytime and 24-hour sleep, but shorter night sleep, than owners of 12-month-olds. These were owners’ reports, not measurements.

No single number fits every puppy, but the sources agree on the big picture: young puppies sleep for much of the day.

Why sleep matters

The AKC says sleep supports the development of a puppy’s central nervous system. VCA adds that most dogs, even adults, sleep at least half of a 24-hour day, so a sleepy puppy is in good company. A quiet, comfortable spot for daytime naps helps, and the free puppy crate training schedule includes a daily log for crate time.

Nights: shorter at first

In the Dogs Trust study, owners of 16-week-old puppies reported shorter night sleep than owners of year-old dogs, so broken nights early on are expected. Young puppies also can’t hold their bladder through a long night: the AKC’s maximum is the age in months plus one, in hours (how long a puppy can hold its pee). Two habits from the house-training sources help: take your puppy out last thing before bed (AKC, Humane World for Animals), and pick up the water about two and a half hours before bedtime (Humane World). The free first-week checklist includes a potty rhythm that covers bedtime and overnight. For crying at bedtime, see my puppy won’t sleep at night and why dogs whine in the crate.

When sleep is a reason to call the vet

VCA says excessive tiredness or lethargy can signal a medical condition, and that flat-faced breeds are at risk of sleep apnea. Call your vet if your puppy seems lethargic or unusually tired when awake, or if a flat-faced puppy seems to struggle to breathe while sleeping. Before you call, note when your puppy sleeps, for how long, and how it acts when awake; the free vet visit prep sheet gives you a place to write it down. For breathing questions, fast breathing while sleeping explains what to watch at rest.