Puppy sleep: naps, nights and sleeping through

Young puppies need a lot of sleep. Some sleep 18 to 20 hours a day, counting all their naps. Puppies have short bursts of energy, then sleep deeply. A puppy who naps a lot after play is normal.

Daytime naps

• Expect a nap every hour or two. Many young puppies play hard for a short time, then crash.
• Give your puppy a quiet, comfy place to sleep, away from busy areas, draughts and direct sun.
• Many owners notice that tired puppies get wild and bitey. If your puppy is biting everything, a quiet nap in their bed or crate with a chew may help.
• Protect nap time. Ask children to let a sleeping puppy rest.

A simple bedtime routine

1. Give the last meal a few hours before bed.
2. Go easy on water in the last 2 hours, as some vets suggest. Your puppy should still be able to drink if they’re thirsty, especially on hot nights.
3. Keep the last hour calm. Try a quiet chew or a cuddle, not a wild game.
4. Take your puppy to their toilet spot right before lights-out.
5. Settle them in their crate or bed next to your bed, in a cool, dim, quiet room.

Night toilet trips

• Young puppies can’t hold on all night yet. A rough guide is about one hour for each month of age, give or take an hour.
• Set an alarm for quiet trips outside. Keep them calm and boring: no play, no fuss, then straight back to bed.

When will my puppy sleep through the night?

Every puppy is different, so try not to compare. Night trips get fewer as your puppy grows and their bladder gets bigger and stronger. Some puppies still need a night toilet trip until they are about 5 months old. That’s normal.

When sleepiness is a worry

Lots of sleep is normal. What matters is that your puppy wakes up bright and keen to play. Ring your vet if your puppy:

• is hard to wake, or flat and floppy when awake
• is sleepy and also not eating, or has vomiting or diarrhoea
• is a small or toy breed and has missed meals, as small puppies can get dangerously low blood sugar
• suddenly sleeps much more than usual, or has lost interest in play