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I believe all pet owners wish for their beloved companions to be healthy and enjoy a comfortable sleep life. While much about the mechanics of sleep in dogs and cats is still not fully understood, we do know that sleep is crucial for them and that good quality sleep supports their health.
In this article, we will introduce the mechanics of dog sleep and discuss appropriate sleeping environments.
Mechanics of Dog Sleep
Let's delve into the mechanics of pet sleep.
REM Sleep and Non-REM Sleep
Human sleep consists of two types: "REM sleep" (where the body is at rest but the brain is active) and "non-REM sleep" (where both brain and body are in deep sleep). Typically, non-REM and REM sleep cycles repeat approximately every 90 minutes.
It has been revealed that dogs also alternate between REM and non-REM sleep during their sleep. Like humans, their sleep is said to be about 25% REM sleep and 75% non-REM sleep.
Although dogs have a similar sleep pattern to humans, they wake up quickly in response to sounds or sensations. Also, during REM sleep, their legs twitch vigorously. It's so cute that you might want to sleep together, but it's best to sleep separately to avoid bumping into each other and disrupting each other's sleep, thus maintaining a good relationship with your pet.
Dog Sleep Duration
The average sleep duration for dogs is about 12 to 15 hours a day, so they sleep for quite a long time even during the day. Furthermore, puppies under one year old who are still growing and senior dogs whose physical strength is declining sleep for about 18 to 19 hours.
Also, dog sleep is "polyphasic sleep," meaning they repeatedly sleep and wake up multiple times a day, throughout the day.
Characteristics of Senior Dog Sleep
Compared to their younger years, senior dogs tend to sleep in the same environment. Therefore, it is important to provide a good sleeping environment to support their mind and body. Additionally, prolonged sleep can lead to poor circulation and joint stiffness, and like humans, sleep problems tend to increase with age.
What Makes a Good Sleeping Environment for Dogs?
If you own a dog, you'll probably relate to this: dogs roam around and nap in various places in the house. Therefore, it's a good idea to prepare several comfortable sleeping spots for them.
Here are three points to keep in mind when doing so.
1: Separate the Toilet and Sleeping Area
Dogs are clean animals and dislike soiling their sleeping area. This is said to be due to their instinct, knowing that excreting in their den can lead to the proliferation of bacteria and insects. Once toilet training is complete, the toilet and sleeping area should be separated.
2: Choose a Calm Space for the Sleeping Area
A dog cannot sleep soundly in an uncomfortable environment, such as a place that is bright 24 hours a day, an area with frequent human traffic like a hallway or near a door, a noisy place, near a TV where they are easily stimulated by sound and light, or a spot where the air conditioner blows directly on them.
Choose a sleeping area in a space where your dog can sense your presence, such as the living room or your room, that is dark, out of the way of human movement, and at an appropriate temperature. For wary or anxious dogs, who are sensitive to outside noises and presences, choose a quiet space away from the entrance and windows.
You don't need to have just one sleeping spot; it's recommended to place a pet bed in the main area and create other comfortable spaces with towels or blankets.
3: A Pet Bed Ensures Sound Sleep
Hard flooring can potentially cause joint pain, hair loss, and bedsores. And above all, just like humans, dogs love soft places, so provide a comfortable bed.
While stacking blankets, towels, or T-shirts can serve as a bed, a pet-specific bed designed for pressure distribution will lead to better sleep. Especially for senior dogs, who sleep for long periods and may struggle to turn over, highly cushioned materials are recommended.
“NOMIN Pet Bed by Kumiko Obinata” is Recommended!
The "NOMIN Pet Bed by Kumiko Obinata" is a functional pet bed designed with the health and well-being of your precious pet in mind.
The decision to develop this product was made after observing the strong connection between sleep and health in pets, and noticing the buzz on social media about how popular Brain Sleep's flagship product, the "Brain Sleep Pillow," was among pets. We wanted to provide pets with a comfortable sleep experience.
1: A collaborative item with Kumiko Obinata, who lives with four rescue dogs and actively engages in rescue dog activities.
Kumiko Obinata started her independent career in 2013 after working for an apparel company. She currently works as a fashion advisor, collaborating with companies and as a personal stylist.
In her private life, she is also known as a great dog lover, living with four rescue dogs herself, and actively engaged in rescue dog activities such as donating activity funds, rescuing and fostering rescue dogs, and spreading information about them on social media.
Ms. Obinata, who says she "has lived with pets since birth," noticed that when she started using the "Brain Sleep Pillow," her pets would climb onto the pillow. Furthermore, when she started using the "Brain Sleep Mattress," her dogs, who previously slept on top of the duvet, began to go under the covers and sleep directly on the mattress.
From this, she realized that her dogs, who used to wake up and wander around whenever their bedding got hot, now slept soundly until morning. This inspired her to create a functional mattress that not only provides comfort but also considers health.
2: Care Slope and Barrier Circle
As dogs age, their leg strength declines, and many, especially seniors, start to dislike stairs on their usual walking routes or steps within the home that were once fine. This product features a slope design to care for not only seniors but also puppies (and kittens) in their daily movements.
Additionally, the barrier circle, made of a soft cushioning material, provides a sense of security and gently cradles the head, supporting comfortable sleep. It can be used safely for a long time, from puppies (and kittens) to seniors.
3: Robust Support for "Accidents"
A potty pad can be placed under the mat, preventing it from shifting and reducing worries about soiling the floor. This provides peace of mind, not only during puppyhood (kittenhood) but also during periods when senior dogs have more accidents or vomit.
4: Brain Sleep's Unique Features Remain Intact
AirLoop material for heat dissipation support
Using a special material with excellent breathability and a unique structure, it lowers the brain's core body temperature, creating a comfortable and deep sleep environment. Over 90% of it is air, so heat and humidity don't build up even after long use; in fact, it cools down, eliminating the need to wander around searching for a cool sleeping spot.
Three-layer special material for long-lasting comfort
Despite its very simple appearance, it features a unique three-layer structure made of special materials: a "fluffy layer" on top that conforms to the body's size and weight, a "support layer" that firmly supports the body, and a "base layer" that supports the whole while allowing air to escape from below.
It excels in pressure distribution, adapting well to any sleeping posture and allowing for quality sleep even when lying down for long periods.
Fully washable at home for constant cleanliness
You can wash it in your bathroom at home. Since it's made of woven polyethylene, dirt doesn't penetrate, and you can easily remove dirt with a quick rinse under the shower. If you're concerned about stains, using a neutral detergent will clean it even more effectively.
The cover features DEOFACTOR®, a unique antibacterial and deodorizing treatment. It breaks down harmful substances that adhere to textile products. Since it's machine washable, you can easily maintain its clean condition.
A portion of sales is donated to animal welfare organizations.
Driven by the desire for this product to contribute to supporting activities, a portion of its sales will be donated to animal welfare organizations. By improving the sleep quality of your beloved pet, you can also help dogs and cats in need.
Comfortable Sleep for Pets Too
Dogs sleep longer than humans, averaging about 12 to 15 hours a day. Furthermore, growing puppies (kittens) under one year old and senior dogs whose physical strength is declining sleep for about 18 to 19 hours. To transform these hours, which account for two-thirds of your pet's life, into the "happiest" life through the best sleep, why not try a pet bed?
