 Show
Your dog is suddenly sleeping on the floor. Meanwhile, their cozy bed is lying empty nearby… … Seriously? Read on and find out:
Table of contents
Your dog is suddenly sleeping on the floor because of the temperature and personal preference. If it’s too hot, laying on the floor dissipates body heat faster. In some cases, dogs simply prefer sleeping on the cold floor than on the bed. People also ask:Is it bad for a dog to sleep on the floor? It is not bad for a dog to sleep on the floor. Unless they’re in pain. With healthy dogs, it’s normal to seek the cool feel of the floor. However, dogs with hip problems and arthritis shouldn’t sleep on the floor. Doing so will worsen their condition. Why is my dog sleeping on the floor instead of the bed? Your dog sleeps on the floor instead of the bed due to the wrong size of the bed. A small bed for a large dog will discourage them from sleeping on it. The same goes for a big bed for a small dog. Sometimes, the dog doesn’t want to be in their bed because it’s in a cold or hot area. Does sleeping on the floor hurt dogs? Sleeping on the floor does not hurt dogs. In fact, many dogs love sleeping on the floor rather than on their beds. It’s just a matter of preference. But for senior dogs with hip problems, sleeping on the floor isn’t a good idea. 7 reasons why your dog is suddenly sleeping on the floor#1: It’s too hot or it’s too coldThe temperature drives your dog to seek the most perfect spot. Even if it means your dog laying on a cold floor. When it’s hotWhen you see dogs laying on a cold floor, it’s because they feel hot. The cold floor helps them dissipate body heat faster. You’ll notice your dog laying flat on their belly on the floor after you take them exercising. And when the weather’s too warm, they take naps on the floor. Not on their bed. That’s because the cold floor feels nice against their skin. In addition, a dog bed might hold in excess heat, especially during summer. Your dog will find the floor a cozier choice than their bed. You may also notice your dog during the night. They don’t stay in the very same spot from night to morning. What they do is change spots, to a cooler spot on the floor. This dog parent shares on a forum about how his Rottie sleeps half the time on the bed. Then the other half on the floor. He noticed that the dog overheats easily. Sleeping on the floor is the solution. When it’s coldHow can your dog choose to lie on the cold floor when it’s cold? There are several reasons. One, they lie on the floor near the fireplace or heater to stay warm. Or, they lie on the floor where the sun shines to stay warm. #2: The bed is uncomfortableYour dog laying on a cold floor may be a simple case of comfort. If they suddenly sleep on the floor, check out what’s going on. Starting with their bed. Signs of discomfortIs the bed worn out? Is there an uncomfortable flat or bunched up spot? Try to feel the bed with your palm. It might be itchy or slippery. Or there could be something poking your dog. For a senior dog, their bed might make it difficult for them to move around. They might not be able to easily stand up, sit, or jump. The sound the bed makesYour dog doesn’t like their bed because it’s not comfortable to lie on. It may have to do with the fabric material. According to this pet owner on a forum, the Oxford waterproof fabric beds make a certain sound when touched. Tough cotton is also noisy. The sound could be amplified because dogs have sensitive hearing. Take into consideration how dogs usually spin around before lying down. Or sometimes they scratch their bed. The sound of that might irritate them. Dirty bedDogs go outside and then come back inside a lot of times throughout the day. They track dirt all over the place. Including their bed. In time, their bed becomes gritty with dirt. And a dirty bed might discourage your dog from sleeping on it. #3: The bed is the wrong sizeSize does matter. At least when it comes to a dog bed. You may have gotten your pooch a bed too small or too big for them. That’s why they suddenly begin sleeping on the floor. Obviously, a big dog can’t get comfortable in a small bed. They won’t be able to stretch out when they want. But they can on the floor. It’s as vast as a desert and they can choose where to plonk down. A small dog, on the other hand, might not enjoy sleeping on a big bed. Because of their small bodies, they can get cold easily. And a large bed will not provide them the warmth they need. But, some dogs actually liked sleeping in a bed that’s not theirs. Just like these two:
#4: Dogs are used to sleeping on the floorA dog bed in the kitchen. Another in the living room, and one in your bedroom. And yet you see your dog laying on a cold floor. Sleeping like a log. If this is your dog, it could be because they’re used to the floor. Perhaps you have an adopted dog, and they slept on the floor in their old house. Maybe they didn’t even have a bed before. Or, if this is a habit, they’ll stick to it. No matter if their expensive dog bed looks inviting. That’s what this pet owner observed with his two dogs. Both of them preferred sleeping on the floor. The owner provided them a blanket to sleep on. The dogs lay down on the blanket, but their heads were on the floor. #5: Personal preferenceLike humans, dogs have preferences. And they’re not the same. That’s the case with a pet parent’s two Huskies. One prefers the soft plush blanket with a pillow. The other is happy on the cold hard floor. And even if you’ve taught them to sleep on their bed, they might end up on the floor. It’s just what the dog wants. The more important factor is that they get enough sleep. This study looked into the sleep duration and behaviors of dogs aged 12 months and below. The authors found out that 16-week-old dogs sleep longer during the day. However, they sleep for less time during the night compared to dogs aged 12 months. Another finding was that puppies aged 16 weeks mostly slept in their crate. Dogs aged 12 months most often slept in a dog bed. #6: PainThis is one challenge when your dog is old. If you find your dog laying on a cold floor, it’s a cause for concern. One issue could be pain. Old and senior dogs suffer from joint problems and arthritis. Moving around can be painful for them. Imagine if their bed is upstairs. Or far from where they are. They might choose to sleep on the floor than crossing the room or climbing up the stairs. Caution: Sleeping on the cold floor can worsen arthritis and hip problems. #7: AgingThe harsh reality of aging is this: It comes with a lot of health problems. For one, they are not as spritely as before. Even jumping up on their bed is a huge chore. In addition, they could be losing their sight. Whether it’s day or night, they might not be able to find their bed. This was the problem that a pet owner relates to on a forum. He didn’t know his dog had vision problems. What he noticed was his dog stopped getting on his bed. 5 tips on what to do if your dog is suddenly sleeping on the floor#1: Place the bed into your dog’s favorite spotMake your dog use their bed by placing it in their favorite spot. You see, dogs have their favorite spot around the house. Maybe yours love to sleep by the front door. For small and senior dogs that easily get cold, place their bed in a warm spot. Avoid drafty areas. As well as the cold areas during winter and the hot areas during summer. #2: Add a blanket to the bedConsider adding a blanket on top of their bed. See if your dog likes it. There are dogs that love to burrow or make a little nest on their bed. If your dog is old or suffers from arthritis, make sure their bed has sufficient padding. It will make all the difference. Or pile some old blankets so they have something soft to sleep on. #3: Make the dog bed comfortableDogs sleep an average of 10.1 hours a day, according to this study. It can vary between 7.7 hours to 16 hours. The study also says that sleep occurs mostly between 9 pm and 6 am. Then there are periods of rest in the afternoon. Your dog will be able to get a satisfying sleep with the help of a comfortable bed. Examine your dog’s bed. Can your dog be comfortable sleeping on it? If the bed is thin and worn out, invest in a new one. But if the bed is still okay, then it probably needs washing and cleaning. In addition, make sure the bed is the right size for your dog. For large breeds, get something where they can stretch. For small to medium-sized dogs, they might like nest beds. These have sufficient padding for warmth. I know I said get a bed the right size for your dog. But this West Highland Terrier surely loves her own huge bed!
#4: Make the bed accessibleMake the bed accessible to your dog when they want to sleep. This is especially important for senior dogs. So bring the bed to them, so to speak. Ensure they sleep on the bed and not on the floor. The cold floor can exacerbate their hip problems or arthritis. For dogs that love being near you, consider putting their bed by the foot of your bed. Or by the door of your bedroom. This way, they sleep on their own bed but still be close to you. #5: Let sleeping dogs lieSometimes you just have to leave your dog laying on a cold floor. There’s nothing wrong with it, particularly if they are healthy. Maybe it’s just too hot and the cold floor makes them feel better. Don’t worry, though. Your dog will voluntarily sleep on the bed when they want to. What other pet parents are sayingPet parent #1A pet parent shares on one forum about why his dog suddenly slept on the floor. The incident happened a few times so he decided to investigate. What happened was that his dog couldn’t pee when she wanted to. She had difficulty getting out. She wouldn’t pee on the carpet or on the floor. So she peed on the bed. And because the bed smelled of urine, she wouldn’t sleep on it. She chose to sleep on the floor away from the bed. The pet parent washed the bed and put a Kong toy in it. The dog started sleeping on the bed again. You might also be interested in: 11 reasons why your dog (always) smells like pee/urine Pet parent #2This dog parent has a Border Collie mix that’s very fluffy. At night, her dog prefers the floor more than her bed. It’s no wonder since they live in Alabama, where it’s hot and humid. Especially on hot days, the dog prefers the tiled floor over the wood floors. Read also: 7 reasons why your dog sleeps under the bed (all of a sudden) Pet parent #3One pet owner’s three dogs are proof that it’s a matter of personal preference. He owns two Goldies and an Indian Pariah. On chilly nights the dogs prefer to sleep with their owner. But when it’s hot, they love to lay on the cold floor. And they have their favorite spots. One loves to sleep on the bathroom floor. The other by the balcony door. And the last one sleeps below a fan. You might also want to know: Why does my dog sleep by the door? Why has my dog suddenly stopped sleeping on my bed?Your mattress might be too soft, it might be too hard, there might be too many decorative pillows on it — the possibilities are endless. Ultimately, though, if your dog doesn't feel like they can get a good night's sleep on your bed, they'll find someplace more suitable for them.
Why has my dog suddenly changed where he sleeps?For example, their favorite sleeping position may change based on how they're feeling, where they're sleeping, and who they are snoozing near. Moreover, injuries and soreness can also change the sleeping position of your dog, so if you notice anything unusual, look for any possible signs of pain.
Why is my dog suddenly sleeping alone?Your dog may be isolating himself because of a mental or physical condition, the reason of which could vary. Anxieties and fears are commonly seen in dogs, and can develop due to a number of reasons, such as poor socialization or trauma.
|
Dog suddenly sleeping on floor instead of my bed
Copyright © 2024 ShotOnMac Inc.
