9 Vet-Verified Reasons Why Your Dachshund Sleeps So Much & When To Be Concerned

Dachshunds are one of the most popular dog breeds around. Also known as wiener dogs, these little dogs have short legs, long bodies, and huge personalities. Their loyalty and fun-loving natures often make them great family dogs. One thing many families with Dachshunds notice is this breed's tendency to sleep quite a bit. While most dog breeds can get in a good 12 hours of rest throughout the day, a Dachshund can push it to 14 hours or more.

While this can be worrisome for owners, it’s not unusual. Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons your Dachshund may be sleeping a lot. You can then decide whether it’s normal Doxie behavior or something you should be concerned about.

The 9 Possible Reasons Why Your Dachshund Sleeps So Much

1. It’s Normal

Yes, Dachshunds sleep a lot, but no worries, it’s completely natural. This breed originated in Germany 600 years ago.¹ Their purpose was to help hunt badgers, who were often destroying crops and being a nuisance. With small bodies and short legs, Dachshunds were ideal for invading badger holes and flushing out the inhabitants.

Badgers are known for fighting and being a bit brutal, and this meant work for a Dachshund was hard. Like all dogs, they needed plenty of rest to replenish their energy after a strenuous activity. The tendency to sleep a lot is still part of a Dachshund’s natural behavior today.

2. Dogs Sleep More as They Age

In the dog world, Dachshunds have a long life expectancy. With many dogs of this breed living upwards of 12 to 15 years, it should be expected that they would slow down a bit as they age. Your Dachshund is considered a senior from around 8-10 years of age. For most of them, this is when you’ll notice the first signs of aging, such as slowing down and resting more.

This change in energy and the natural changes their bodies go through as they age often result in more time needed to sleep.

3. Your Dachshund Isn’t Getting Enough Activity

Most Dachshunds no longer drag badgers out of holes. Instead, they are pets and stay with us in our homes. If you spend a lot of time away from home or can’t ensure your Dachshund stays active throughout the day, they’ll simply spend their time sleeping out of boredom or may even resort to undesirable behaviors such as barking or inappropriate and destructive chewing.

When this becomes a habit, it won’t change when you are at home unless you do something to get your Dachshund up and about.

4. It’s Cold Outside

Yes, just like us, dogs are affected by the change in weather. As winter approaches, Dachshunds and other dog breeds may experience subtle changes in their melatonin levels. Melatonin is the sleep hormone. When this happens, and the nights get longer, this may cause your Dachshund to sleep a little bit more. Another reason for increased sleep in winter is generally reduced exercise, with both dogs and their owners spending more time indoors.

5. Dachshunds Get Bored

People deal with boredom in lots of ways. Dogs do too. Some dogs will bark when this happens. Others will tear around the house to find things they can get into. When your Dachshund has nothing to do, you may find that sleeping is their answer.

With the amount of time many Dachshunds spend simply lying or sitting around the house nowadays, this makes sense.

6. Narcolepsy in Dachshunds Is Real

Dachshunds are a relatively healthy dog breed, but they can suffer from narcolepsy, although this condition is rare. This neurological disorder affects sleep regulation and can cause sudden episodes of sleep. There are even times when a dog suffering from narcolepsy loses control of its muscles and simply collapses where they stand. Narcolepsy is usually a congenital or inherited condition, but in rare cases, it may occur due to underlying health issues such as canine distemper or inflammation of the nervous system.

Narcolepsy usually presents itself between 6 and 12 months of age. If you feel your Dachshund may be suffering from narcolepsy, reach out to a veterinarian for assistance.

7. Your Dachshund Is Overeating

When you eat too much, it’s normal to kick back and relax. Similarly, your Dachshund feels the same. However, just like with humans, overeating and obesity in dogs can be dangerous, leading to increased risk of various health issues. Many Dachshunds are no longer the active badger hunters they once were.

Without consistent and appropriate daily activity tailored to age and health, necessary to burn off the extra calories, overfeeding your dog will result in weight gain. To avoid this, only provide your Dachshund with high-quality food and the recommended portions based on their age, size, health, and lifestyle, while keeping up with regular exercise and mental stimulation. If you’re not sure how much to feed your dog or need advice on adequate low-impact activities, speak to a veterinarian from the comfort of your home.

8. Your Pooch Isn’t Getting the Rest They Need at Night

Like any pet, if your Dachshund isn’t sleeping well at night, they will sometimes make up for it during the day. Unfortunately, there are lots of reasons your pet may not get the sleep they need at night. Perhaps some people in the house are night owls and make too much noise.

Your Dachshund could also be older and suffer from joint pain, which makes them restless. It could also be too hot or too cold in the house, making them uncomfortable. Other health issues could contribute to poor sleeping or frequent waking up. If you notice your Dachshund isn’t sleeping when it should, schedule a veterinarian visit.

9. Your Dachshund May Have an Underlying Health Issue

Finally, another possible reason for your dog noticeably starting to sleep more may be an underlying illness. Sometimes, the initial signs are subtle and may seem like your dog is more tired or sleepy. Besides reduced energy and lethargy, your dog may be less interested in their daily walks or playing, may eat less, drink more, or show changes in their toileting routines and behavior. If this is the case, or you suspect something may be amiss, consult your vet promptly.

In Conclusion

If your Dachshund is sleeping too much, it’s only natural to try to determine what’s happening. While many of the reasons are easy fixes that you can handle on your own, others may require a trip to the veterinarian to determine the underlying cause.

The key to understanding your Dachshund and its sleep pattern is to stay aware of what’s happening around your pet and do what you can to make sure they are comfortable and well cared for at home.

Featured Image Credit: Cate186, Pixabay