Huskies are well known for their high energy levels, so you may be surprised to learn how much sleep they need. This is particularly true for puppies, who can sleep from 15 to 20 hours a day.
Like human babies, ensuring your husky pup is getting enough sleep can be challenging. We’ll take a look at how much sleep your new addition needs, and how to help them get their z’s.
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How Much Sleep Do Husky Puppies Need?
How much sleep your husky puppy needs will vary depending on their age, personality, and the activities they are engaged in. You can expect your husky puppy to sleep from 14-22 hours a day.
Husky Puppy Sleep Schedule By Age:
- 0-2 weeks: 22 hours
- 2-10 weeks: 20-22 hours
- 3-5 months: 18-20 hours
- 6-12 months: 14-16 hours
Newborn Huskies (0-2 weeks)
Newborn huskies lead a simple life. They eat and they sleep. If they aren’t sleeping, they are eating, or attempting to find their mother’s milk. They sleep so much that it’s common for them to fall asleep while nursing.
These activities take up all their time during their first 2 weeks of life.
Their eyes are closed when they are born. In fact, they are born both blind and deaf. They are completely reliant on their mother and use their sense of smell to locate her milk.
They also have intense growth during this period. This growth is one of the reasons why they require so much sleep.
Young Husky Puppies (2 to 12 Weeks)
At around 2 to 3 weeks old, your husky pup will become a little more energetic. They open their eyes between 10 and 14 days old, which allows them to begin exploring their world.
They will still spend most of their time sleeping. You can expect them to be active for 2 to 4 hours during a 24-hour period at this stage, which means they will sleep for 22 to 20 hours each day.
At first, they will have short bursts of energy, followed by periods of sleep. As they age, they will begin being awake for longer periods and sleeping in longer stretches.
They are still in their initial growth phase until they reach at least 8 weeks old. At this point, their growth slows down slightly. This growth, along with their overall development, means they still need to spend most of the day sleeping.
Preteen Husky Puppies (3-5 Months)
At 12 weeks or 3 months old, huskies are ready to play, explore, and socialize. This can be considered the preteen stage. They are weaned, and ready to go to new homes.
They are still growing very quickly, which requires plenty of sleep. The excitement and mental stimulation of learning about their world also takes a lot of energy.
You can expect your husky to sleep 18 to 20 hours a day during this stage.
Teen Husky Puppies (6-12 Months)
Your husky is certainly not fully grown at 6 months, or even 12 months old. However, their rate of growth does slow, which frees up a bit more energy.
During this time, your husky seems to have boundless energy. They do require plenty of exercise when they reach this age, but sleep is still important.
They need about as much sleep as an adult husky, which is 14 to 16 hours a day. However, they may sleep more, up to 18 hours a day, particularly after intense activity or during a growth spurt.
Huskies VS Other Breeds
Sleep is important for all dogs, just as it is for humans. Huskies require more sleep than most breeds. This is because they are very active and have a high metabolism.
Dogs who are less active may spend more of their day relaxing, but not sleeping. They also tend to eat less, because their body doesn’t burn as many calories.
When To Worry About Husky Sleep
While sleep is very important for your puppy, they can sleep too much or not enough.
If your pup sleeps more or less than the average, you don’t have to worry immediately. Your puppy may simply need a different amount of sleep than most. Remember, sleep requirements are meant as a guideline. Most puppies should fit neatly into the schedule, but not all will.
However, there are some signs that there’s a problem with your puppy’s sleep schedule or health.
Not Enough Sleep
If your puppy doesn’t get enough sleep, it can affect their development, weaken their immune system, and cause behavioral issues, according to the AKC.
If you suspect your pup isn’t sleeping enough, look for signs they need more sleep.
Signs your puppy needs more sleep include:
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating or following commands
- Confusion
- Difficulty with basic tasks
If you notice that your puppy is behaving differently, or seems to forget how to do things they were able to do before, they may need more sleep. If they are cranky or seem easily confused, these are also signs there’s a sleep issue.
Husky Puppy Sleeping Too Much
Given the amount of sleep that husky puppies need, it is difficult to imagine them sleeping too much. However, getting too much sleep can be a sign of many health issues and even depression.
The easiest way to know if your puppy is sleeping too much is to observe them when they are awake. If they seem happy, healthy, and energetic when they are awake, they are most likely fine.
If they are groggy or lethargic when awake, this is a sign there’s a problem. You should also be concerned if they don’t wake up to do normal activities, like eating or pottying.
If you notice these signs, you should speak with their vet. You can also contact your vet if they are sleeping much more than average for their age, or if you have a feeling something isn’t right.
6 Ways To Help Husky Puppies Sleep Through The Night
You want to make sure your husky is getting enough sleep for their age. You also want to get the sleep you need. Husky puppy parents often ask the same question new parents do. When will my baby sleep through the night?
Most husky pups will begin sleeping through the night at 3 to 4 months old. Younger pups will usually sleep from 6 to 10 hours at night.
1. Let Them Exercise
To sleep through the night, you’ll need to help your husky pup expend their energy. They should have an exercise session 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
Don’t forget to exercise their mind and their body. If you exercise them too early, they will be ready to go again by bedtime. Exercise them too late, and they will still be stimulated from their play session.
2. No Food Or Drink
You should also avoid giving your pup food or water before bed. When your puppy eats, their system is working to digest their food, which is stimulating. This makes it harder for them to sleep.
Your husky’s bladder isn’t fully developed yet. If they drink water before bed, they will wake up to use the bathroom during the night.
It’s best to avoid giving them food or water in the 2-3 hours before they go to bed.
3. Create The Right Conditions
Your puppy will sleep better and longer under the right conditions. Essentially, your husky will sleep well in conditions similar to the condition we humans prefer.
Keep the room cool but not cold. Turn off the light, and keep the noise down.
4. Turn On The Tunes
Yes, you read that right. Calming music can help your pooch sleep, just like it does for humans.
According to PetMD, music can help relax your puppy, which can also help them sleep. It also decreases the chances that noise will wake them up during the night.
Studies have shown that many types of music, including piano, classical, reggae, and soft rock can sooth your pup. You can put on your favorite calming tunes, or find doggie sleep music on Youtube.
5. Crate Training
Some dog owners swear by crate training, while others avoid it. Crate training can help your pup get a good night’s sleep.
It provides an environment that feels safe for your pooch, and they will soon learn that they are meant to sleep or relax when in their crate.
6. Have A Routine
It may sound strange, but your pup will do best if you have a set routine. They may not know exactly what time it is, but they quickly learn when it’s time for things like meals, playtime, and bedtime.
It’s thought that they use cues to help them know what to expect. This makes having a routine important.
For example, you may feed them dinner, and then take them for a walk. Allow them to relax for a bit, and then take them out for a final potty break before bed.
If you follow this routine, your pup will learn to settle down and sleep when it’s bedtime.
