Humans aren't the only ones who can suffer from sleep problems. In fact, the signs your dog has a sleep disorder are similar to the signs in humans. According to PetMD, dogs sleep between 12 to 14 hours a day, and if they don't get the right amount of shut eye, they definitely don't feel their best. In fact, the way dogs behave when they don't get enough sleep is pretty similar to how you or I might act after pulling an all-nighter. "Dogs with sleep disorders might whine, cry, or frequently wake up during the night, become more sluggish during the day, or seem more disoriented when performing normal tasks," Dr. JoAnna Pendergrass wrote for PetMD.
"Because sleep deprivation can cause a buildup of stress hormones, dogs with sleep disorders may also become more aggressive or develop other behavioral problems. In addition, a lack of sleep can weaken a dog’s immune system, increasing the risk of infection." If your dog just doesn't seem like itself lately, there are signs that Fido might not be getting enough shut eye and could even have a sleep disorder. The sooner you identify a sleep problem in your dog, the sooner Fido can start feeling better.