Setting Up the Perfect Sleep Routine for Your Pet

Sleep is as important for pets as it is for people. Dogs sleep 12 to 14 hours a day on average; cats closer to 16. But the quality of that sleep — where they sleep, how undisturbed they are, whether they feel safe — matters enormously for their behaviour, immune function, and emotional health.

Where Should Pets Sleep?

The most important thing is that your pet's sleep area feels safe and is their own. Dogs are den animals by nature — they feel most secure in a space that's slightly enclosed, at a consistent temperature, and away from high foot traffic. Cats prefer elevated spots where they can see the room and feel in control of their environment.

Whether your pet sleeps in your room or their own space is a personal decision. There's no right or wrong answer. What matters is consistency — frequent changes to sleep arrangements cause anxiety.

Creating a Good Sleep Environment

• Comfortable bedding: Choose something washable with good padding. Older pets especially benefit from orthopedic support. Wash bedding weekly to keep it fresh and free of parasites.
• Temperature: Most pets are comfortable between 18 and 22 degrees. Avoid drafts and direct sun exposure. Short-nosed breeds (pugs, bulldogs, Persians) overheat easily and need cooler conditions.
• Noise: Loud or unpredictable sound disrupts sleep. If your home is noisy, white noise or a fan can help buffer sudden sounds.
• Light: A consistent light-dark cycle reinforces your pet's circadian rhythm. Pets exposed to light late into the evening may have disrupted sleep patterns.

Evening Routine

A consistent pre-sleep routine helps signal to your pet that it's time to wind down. A short, gentle walk or play session followed by a small meal works well for dogs. For cats, interactive play that mimics hunting — with a wand toy — followed by food mirrors their natural hunt-eat-groom-sleep cycle.

Avoid high-energy play in the last hour before bed. An overstimulated pet takes much longer to settle.