How Much Do Poodles Sleep? (What is Normal?)

Poodles are known for being fairly high-energy dogs that can be pretty active during the day. So, Poodle owners might feel a mix of surprise and relief to find their dogs resting so often, and for what may seem like hours on end.

The truth is, like most dogs, Poodles actually need a lot of sleep to maintain their health and keep those high energy levels up.

Poodles can sleep anywhere from 12 to 20 hours a day, depending on whether they are puppies or if they are adults. In general, adult Poodles will require a lot of sleep, while the puppies will spend the majority of their day asleep.

how much do Poodles sleep
How much do Poodles sleep? How much sleep is normal for your Poodle.

Read on to find out more about how much sleep is normal for your Poodle and why their many hours of slumber are so important for a healthy pooch.

How Much Do Poodle Puppies Sleep?

Sleeping is the absolute favorite activity of Poodle newborns and even puppies of several months old.

You may find that your Poodle puppies are sleeping anywhere from 15 to 20 hours a day for the first eight months of their life.

While this may seem like a pretty long amount of time for your puppy to be in dreamland, it is crucial for their long-term health that they are getting enough sleep early on in their lives. Especially at only a few months of age, they should not be getting more than three to four hours of play.

This will allow for all of their bodily systems to properly develop so that they may enter adulthood with strong nervous, muscular, vascular, respiratory, and immune systems. Allowing your puppy to get as much sleep as possible will ensure that their adult years and filled with as much healthy play and fun as possible.

poodle sitting on the lap
A super cute Poodle sitting on its owners lap

How Much Do Adult Poodles Sleep?

Adult Poodles still need ample sleep, but not as much as puppies. A healthy adult Poodle will sleep anywhere from 12 to 16 hours per day.

As a Poodle grows with an owner, its schedule will adjust to accommodate the owner’s schedule. So, Poodles will spend more time awake with their owners during the day, playing and getting all of the necessary exercise to tucker themselves out before bedtime.

Poodles may also wake up early with their owners in order to relieve themselves, which is totally normal. You may find that your Poodle catches up on sleep later in the day by taking naps.

poodle running outside
A Toy Apricot Poodle running happily outside

Why Sleep Is Important for Poodles

Sleep is just as important for dogs as it is for human beings, and for most of the same health reasons, too.

Sleep is important for all of the body’s systems to function properly, including their immune system. This means that sleep helps Poodles to defend themselves against illnesses.

The more active a dog is, the more time it will spend sleeping. Since Poodles are a moderate to highly active breed, they need as much sleep as they can get to recover from their exciting days.

Additionally, REM sleep will help them to retain information that they have learned throughout the day. So, sleep is important for your Poodle, especially if you are banking on them learning the new commands that you have been teaching them.

Is it Normal for Poodles to Take Naps?

Dogs are diurnal animals, just like their human owners are. This means that they get the majority of their sleep at night time. However, also in a similar way to humans, Poodles may find the need to settle down for a nap during the day. As a matter of fact, owners should expect their Poodles to nap during the day to meet a healthy amount of sleep for the day.

Poodles may nap for around three hours every day, especially adult Poodles who adjust to their owners’ schedule and thus may wake up earlier in the morning to use the bathroom. This counts towards their sleep quota for the day, and they will likely get the rest of their necessary hours at night.

It is also important to note that while sleep is important, an excessive amount of it during the day may indicate additional health problems. Consult your veterinarian if you worry that your adult dog is sleeping for too long during the day.

gray poodle happy at the vet
A gray Poodle happy at the vet. Toy or a small Miniature size.

How to Ensure That Your Poodle Is Getting Quality Sleep

There are a few different steps that you can take to ensure that your Poodle is getting the best quality sleep possible.

Firstly, making sure that your Poodle is getting ample exercise during the day is important. Spend lots of time playing, go for a walk, play plenty of fetch, and if they are well-socialized, take them to the dog park. Tuckering them out will provide them with a great night of sleep.

It is also important to be consistent with the routine that you establish for your Poodle, to ensure that their circadian rhythm is in good shape. Additionally, take care to make sure that your Poodle is sleeping at a snug temperature with a bed that most suits their comfort.

Signs of Sleep Deprivation in Poodles

Look out for the following signs of sleep deprivation in Poodles:

If your Poodle is presenting with any of these symptoms, make sure to contact your veterinarian to figure out what the cause of the symptoms could be. 

drying poodle with towel after bath
You should dry your Poodle thoroughly with a towel after a bath. The coat will dry better with some help.

Final Word

Sleep is very important for your Poodle’s health. There is no reason for concern to find a Poodle puppy sleeping anywhere from 15 to 20 hours per day, and for adult Poodles, 12 to 16 hours per day.

Naps are not only perfectly normal, but they are necessary to ensure that your Poodle is meeting the minimum amount of sleep to keep all of their bodily functions intact and retain the information that they have learned during the day.

Stick to a routine to make sure that your Poodle is getting quality sleep. If your Poodle starts to exhibit any signs or symptoms of sleep deprivation, it may be time to take a trip to the vet.