Dog lovers laugh a lot over the weird ways their furred friends drowse . Mid - toy dog - chomp ? Head on a windowsill ? Half on , half off the couch ? What happened to a well ole ' gyre up , tail over the nose , on a lush dog bed ? And why do dogs slumber on their backbone ?
If your first resolution is " because they can , " you ’re right ! But Travis McDermott , DVM , ofDurango Animal Hospitalin Las Vegas , articulate there might be a minuscule more to it than that . Here are the primary reason your sleeping dog prefers an upside - down short sleep .
They’re Cooling Off
You might notice your whelp with hand in the air more often duringhot weather , as this means they ask to chill out a little . " Dogs generally sleep on their back to cool down down , " McDermott say . " Dogs exchange heat through their paws , and this [ attitude ] allow them to cool off . "
Canines have few sweat glands than humans , but those theydohave are mostly concentrated in their manus . Dogs loss sweatthere , but nowhere else on their body . This natural oil production is one reason why somedogs ' invertebrate foot smack like Fritos — and as long as their manus are healthy and notdry and snap , this is usually normal .
Their abdomen fur is also thin than on other constituent of their body , so it ’s easier for pooches to catch up with a breeze by exposing their underside . And there ’s no need to worry if their tongue is hang out and they ’re panting a bit , aspanting is how dogs thermoregulateand cool down off .
Photo: Przemyslaw Iciak / Adobe Stock
They Feel Safe and Secure
If your doggo slips into this all - manus - up position while lying next to you on the sofa or snuggled up with you in bottom , you must be doing something ripe ! " Sleeping on their back is a very vulnerable position and shows corporate trust / comfort in their surroundings , " McDermott enjoin .
Often considered a peaceful appeasement gesture , this posture is a communicating signaling shared by both wild and domestic dogs to show they ’re not a threat . However , it does n’t necessarilymean they require ticklesor belly rubs from humans , though . Not all dog relish those types of pets and touches .
It’s Just Comfortable
Your pup might simply relish being on their rump . And when you log Z’s as much as dogs do ( adult firedog unremarkably snooze 11 minute a day , andgrowing puppy sleepup to 18 hours ) , maybe that curl - up situation on the doggie sofa is a tad restrictive after a while .
But there ’s no pauperism to be concerned if your dog does n’t log Z’s on their back . " This could be an aging issue or could be due to not feeling as inviolable , " McDermott pronounce . you’re able to always ascertain with your vet to check that your pup ’s dreamland positioning is hunky-dory .
