How much do French Bulldogs sleep? If you are wondering about how much sleep is too much for your Frenchie, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this guide, we will discuss:
- How much do French bulldogs sleep on a daily basis?
- How much sleep do French bulldogs need age-wise?
- Do Frenchies sleep through the night?
- What are the factors that affect a Frenchie’s sleep?
- How much sleep is too much – when should you worry about too much sleep in your French bulldog?
- How to help your Frenchie sleep better?
- FAQs
Also Read: How Long Do Frenchies Live
How Much Do French Bulldogs Sleep?
As a Frenchie owner you might have noticed your little buddy snooze off within minutes – whether they are at your feet, on the grass, or in your bed.
All dogs, and not just Frenchies, love napping.
On an average, a healthy French bulldog will sleep between 12-14 hours per day.
Most Frenchies have disrupted sleep at night – they often toss, turn, and shake in their sleep or wake up to inspect the surroundings.
Being brachycephalic dogs, they also have a tendency to snore which could impact their sleep quality.
In short, while most humans sleep between 7 to 8 hours per day, dogs, including Frenchies, tend to sleep a lot more with the average being 13.5 hours of sleep per day.
Also Read: Are Frenchies Hypoallergenic
How Much Sleep Do French Bulldogs Need Age-wise?
Frenchie Puppy
Most French bulldog pups sleep around 18 to 20 hours per day.
This is mostly true for all puppies up to 10-12 months of age. Sometimes, puppies below 6 weeks tend to wake up more often especially if they are not being nursed by their dam.
In case you have brought home a very young puppy (less than 6 weeks of age) then it might wake up more frequently to nurse.
Mother dogs are very nurturing and most nurse their young for several hours at a stretch.
If a puppy is separated too early from its mother, it is very likely to seek solace and comfort that it would have got through nursing.
That is why, it is advisable to only bring home puppies after they are about 8 weeks old.
Sleep is crucial for your Frenchie pup’s growth and development. So, try to keep your little pet as comfortable as possible. If needed, nurse it using nursing kits.
Feed your puppy every few hours and allow it to nap in between feeds. As stated above, healthy Frenchie puppies will need at least 18-20 hours sleep a day.
Adult/mid-aged Frenchie
An adult or middle-aged French bulldog needs to sleep for at least 12 hours every day to maintain its health. If it is sleeping more than 15 hours each day, please monitor its overall behavior during its waking hours.
- Are there any appetite changes?
- Is there presence of worms in its feces?
- Is your pet drinking more water than usual? Urinating more than usual?
If these conditions exist, then it might need medical evaluation.
Also Read: Do French Bulldogs Like to Cuddle?
Old/Senior Frenchie
Older Frenchies or dogs aged 10 and above tend to sleep for nearly 14 to 16 hours daily. Sometimes, an underlying health issue might cause an older Frenchie to sleep even more.
Often, a lack of physical and mental stimulation can cause a senior Frenchie to sleep all day. As it continues to age, its joints might start hurting or it might develop orthopedic problems.
In such cases, your Frenchie might revert back to its puppyhood days and might sleep almost 16 to 20 hours per day.
Also Read: How Much Do Frenchies Cost
Do French Bulldogs Sleep Through the Night?
All dogs, Frenchies included, tend to have disrupted sleep patterns.
This is because, their REM sleep cycle and brains are wired to get alert and wake up several times at night. This helps them check on their environment or watch out for dangers.
Most Frenchies don’t sleep at a stretch at night – they might turn, shake, and frequently change positions. In summers, they might wake up to seek cooler spots. In winters, they will wake up if they get too cold.
On an average, Frenchies sleep 12-14 hours in total through a day but never at a continuous stretch at a night.
It also depends on how much activity your Frenchie has received through the day. If your puppy or middle-aged Frenchie seems to be bursting with energy in the evening, you could try walking it one last time before settling for the night.
What Factors Affect a French Bulldog’s Sleep?
A. Age
As seen earlier, the most important factor affecting the nature and duration of sleep in your French bulldog is its age.
Puppies and old Frenchies sleep for nearly 14 to 20 hours per day. Middle-aged Frenchies sleep for 12-14 hours a day.
Always monitor your Frenchie’s behavior between its naps: is it active, does it have normal appetite, is it cheerful, happily playing and barking, are its movements normal?
Then there is no cause for worry if your Frenchie sleeps a little more than the average.
B. Activity levels
During puppyhood, your Frenchie is absorbing sights, sounds, and information around.
It will also play a lot, and you might also be training it during this stage.
All this activity is tiring (in a good way!) for your puppy. In fact; they need this mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy.
It is also important that you establish a proper routine and schedule for feeding, playing, training, etc. In between these, your puppy will nap – which is important for its growth and development.
Make sure you provide your puppy with a calm and quiet place to sleep – an area free from sounds, bright lights, etc. You could even crate train it.
Middle-aged Frenchies also need about two 20-minute exercise sessions on a daily basis. Most Frenchies will sleep in between only waking up for potty, meals, etc.
Older Frenchies might become less active due to aches and pains. They might also have trouble standing up and walking. Most prefer laying down, so do provide a comfortable bed for relieving pressure from their joints.
Also Read: Best Dog Beds for French Bulldogs
C. Nutrition
What you feed your Frenchie can also affect its sleep.
Healthy, nutritious diets are easy to digest and won’t cause gas or flatulence – factors that can impact your dog’s sleep quality.
Many Frenchies are sensitive to certain ingredients in their food (grains, dairy, certain proteins etc.) and that can cause burping, belching, and gas which can affect sleep quality..
Also, a diet higher in fats and carbs can make dogs sluggish. Frenchies need a diet that is higher in protein to keep them energetic and active.
Related: Best Dog Food for French Bulldogs with Sensitive Stomach
Related: Best Dog Food for French Bulldogs with Gas
D. Canine sleep patterns
Last but not the least, dogs have different sleeping patterns compared to sleep patterns in humans.
They tend to have scattered sleep throughout the 24 hour period – unlike humans who mostly sleep only at night.
Frenchies – like all dogs – might also wake up several times to check their environment, scan for dangers, etc. They are also more sensitive to sounds. This leads to a disruption in their REM sleep.
As a result, they need to fulfill that sleep in scattered bits through the day.
How Much Sleep is Too Much? Should You Be Worried Your Frenchie is Sleeping Too Much?
If your middle-aged Frenchie is sleeping more than 15 hours each day and is too lethargic to walk, or shows appetite and behavioral changes, then it could be a cause for concern.
Also, if your Frenchie is waking up frequently at night or showing signs of restlessness – then it is not normal.
Lack of sleep can make your pet grumpy and could result in whining, groaning, and showing disinterest in routine activities.
Senior dogs nearing the end of life, might withdraw and hide away and also sleep almost 20 hours a day. Often, they sense the end and purposefully disconnect themselves from their humans.
It is important to check with a vet if your old buddy is in unbearable pain and perhaps it may be best to put it down.
There are certain canine sleep disorders that could cause abnormal sleeping patterns in your dog. Affected pets tend to get disoriented, are not be able to perform simple tasks, and might also withdraw socially, whine a lot, or become aggressive, agitated, and easily irritated.
Please check with your vet to rule out such underlying health issues. Sometimes, medicines, changes in diet, and adding/reducing activity levels could help such pets.
How Can You Help Your French Bulldog Sleep Better?
There are a number of things you can do to make sure your Frenchie sleeps well during the day and at night:
1. Establish a routine
All dogs thrive on routine and our Frenchies are no different. Make sure your pet eats and exercises at the same time every day.
Avoid any drastic changes in its routine as far as possible. Most dogs hate surprises and extreme changes in their environment.
Frenchies are especially prone to anxiety, so try and stick to the same schedule so it can enjoy a peaceful and restful sleep.
2. Give your pet frequent potty breaks
Puppies and senior Frenchies need to relieve themselves several times in the day and sometimes in the middle of the night too as they cannot hold their pee for too long.
Train your pet to use dog pee pads like these eco-friendly pee pads from Pogi’s. This will help your pet sleep better and reduce disruptions to your sleep as well.
3. Prevent digestive issues
Avoid making any sudden dietary changes in your Frenchie’s meals. This will prevent digestive problems which could interfere with its sleep.
4. Exercise your pet
This includes your senior Frenchie too.
As long as it is not too painful for it to walk, do take your pet out for 2 to 3 rounds of short walks every day. This will also mentally stimulate your Frenchie and help induce endorphins for a calmer sleep.
5. Give it a special place to sleep
Although Frenchies love to cuddle with their humans, you would both do better if your dog gets its own bed.
An orthopedic bed could relieve pain and help your senior Frenchie sleep better. In winters, make sure your pet is warm and cozy while in summers, keep the air around it moving.
6. Get the light right
If your pet’s sleeping area is too bright, it will impact its production of melatonin. So, make sure you reduce the light and try to keep the area pitch dark.
FAQs on How Much Do French Bulldogs Sleep
1. Do French bulldogs like to sleep alone?
Given a chance, your Frenchie would prefer sleeping with its humans or cuddle with other house pets. However, if you have trained your Frenchie to sleep alone, right from its puppy days, then it might sleep alone.
Frenchies with separation anxiety do not like sleeping alone and even cry through the night.
2. Do Frenchies get cold at night?
Yes, Frenchies have a tendency to get cold and night. That is why, they also like to dig, burrow, and nest in their beds or snuggle and cuddle with their humans.
3. Should I cover my Frenchie with a blanket at night?
The answer depends on your Frenchie’s preferences.
Some dogs hate being covered – they prefer sleeping on top of the blanket. On the other hand, some Frenchies like to burrow and cover themselves fully with just their nose outside the blanket.
See what your Frenchie likes and act accordingly.
Conclusion
How much do French bulldogs sleep?
On an average, a Frenchie sleeps for 12-14 hours. Frenchie puppies might sleep almost all day – about 18-20 hours. Senior Frenchies typically sleep for 14-16 hours, sometimes even more.
Check with your vet about how much sleep your Frenchie needs for optimal health.
