Tips to help your dog sleep through the night

Tips to help your dog sleep through the night
Source: Charleston Gazette

Barking, whining and destroying furniture, your hyperactive pooch's
lack of sleepiness may be the cause of your restless nights or maybe
those of your neighbors.

Though most dogs sleep from 10 to 14 hours a day, some tend to be off
schedule with your sleep time, due to lack of routine, hyperactivity or
anxiety.

Pet experts offer the following tips to help your dog - and you - have
a restful night.

- Make sure your dog gets well-balanced meals. The first step to
healthy sleep is a healthy diet. According to the American Kennel Club,
puppies need more calories and essential nutrients than adult dogs. For
this reason, you should choose foods specially formulated for puppies.
Adult dogs should be fed according to their size and energy needs.

- Give your pet a relaxing supplement. To quickly and effectively calm
your canine down, some veterinarians suggest giving your dog a calming
product.

- Provide your canine with an exercise routine. Help your pooch get rid
of pent-up energy. Walk your dog at least twice a day and make sure you
set aside time to play every day. Just like with humans, exercise helps
dogs stay healthy.

- Set a bedtime. Put your dog to bed at a designated time every night.
This will help your canine companion conform to your sleeping schedule.
Make sure you give your pet the opportunity to go to the bathroom right
before bedtime.

- Create a comfortable sleeping area. Provide your dog with a blanket,
towel or pillow to sleep on.

Whether your pet sleeps indoors or outdoors, enclosed areas, such as
dog crates or doghouses, give many pets a sense of security and a
sleeping spot to call their own.

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