Why your dog is sleeping longer than usual

Dogs like cats need to sleep long hours in a day. This is essential for their growth and overall health conditions. But when a dog begins to exhibit a sleep pattern different from what is known of them, that is, when they begin to sleep longer than normal, the tendency is to suspect that the dog might have broken down in health which often times is true. However, beyond this, there are other non medical issues that may be responsible for the change in the dog's sleep routine. The aim of this article is to explain in detail, the medical and non medical reasons why your dog may suddenly begin to sleep more than usual.

Age
One major reason that can cause your dog to sleep longer hours in a day is the age of the dog. Puppies usually sleep as long as fourteen and even eighteen hours when they're newly born. Puppies, when they become a bit older are very active. In the process they become exhausted. The exhaustion causes them to also sleep for long hours. Like puppies, old dogs sleep longer than usual because of changes in their body system.

Anxiety, boredom and stress
Any dog going through anxiety, boredom and stress conditions, will very much often dose off. These psychological conditions as mentioned above, can, no doubt, cause a dog to become lethargic.

Breed
A dog's breed will ultimately determine a lot of things in his body make up such as size, activity level and how quick he can get old. Large breeds are generally known to be less active and, therefore, prone to falling asleep for a longer time. Smaller breeds are more mobile and agile and so they sleep less and also do not get old easily as the bigger ones.

Deficiency in thyroxin
If the thyroid gland is not able to produce sufficient thyroid hormones, there will be deficiency in thyroxin. This condition is medically known as hypothyroidism. When this occurs, the entire body metabolism is disrupted. The dog will become weak and overweight and will tend to sleep more than usual.

Anemia
Anemia occurs as a result of reduced blood in the body. In the case of a dog, anemia can be the result of the presence of parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms that suck the dog's red blood cells.

Food poisoning
Eating of food not meant for dogs can poison him and make him weak and lethargic. An untrained dog have the tendency to eat anything that he finds appealing to the eyes. Food such as spices, alchohol, fruits and other food meant for human consumption may appeal to the dog but they are harmful to his body system. This is why you must endeavour to train your dog  regarding what and what not to eat. 

Diabetes  

Diabetes is another medical condition that may be responsible for the reason your dog is sleeping longer than normal. Diabetes occurs as a result of the  pancreas’s inability to produce the right amount of insulin needed in the body to clear the body of excess sugar (hyperglycaemia). Diabetes causes a dog to be fatigued. According to Whole Dog Journal, the breeds most prone to diabetes are Keeshonds, Pulis, Cairn Terriers, Miniature Pinschers, Poodles, Samoyeds, Australian Terriers, Schnauzers, Spitz, Fox Terriers, Bichon Frise, and Siberian Huskies.