According to Sleep Foundation, your dog's nap game destroys yours—here’s why it should scare you.

May 16, 2025

Why Your Dog Sleeps Like Royalty While You Toss and Turn

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Mum says I'm special but I have to pay my way... so thanks for the help high paw.. Thor!

Stealing Nap Secrets from Your Four-Legged Sleep Master

Ever wondered why I'm snoring within 90 seconds on a patch of dirt while you, hooman, can’t sleep even on a fancy mattress with a white noise machine, lavender diffuser, and an overpriced gravity blanket? Here’s the tail-wagging truth: dogs nap better than you—for good reason. And no, it’s not just because we don’t pay rent.

Here’s what you’re getting wrong (and I’m getting right)

Let’s fetch some facts. According to Sleep Foundation researchers (yep, I sniffed that out myself), dogs cycle through light and deep sleep four times faster than hoomans. That’s not just impressive—it’s next-level nap mastery. And while you're scrolling through social media at 2 a.m., we’ve already completed three REM cycles and dreamed about our last chicken nugget.

What Dogs Know About Sleep You Probably Don’t

We follow our instincts. If we’re tired, we sleep—no guilt, no spreadsheets, no catching up on Netflix. Just flop and doze.
Our nap spots matter. Cool, comfy, and always familiar. A worn-out patch of rug can feel like luxury when it smells like home.
We never argue with a good spot. Sunny corner? Claim it. Couch armrest? Perfect neck support. Hooman pillow? Even better.

“You don’t need a wellness app when you embrace the ancient art of face-planting into couch cushions.” — Thor, Professional Sleeper

How You Can Nap (Almost) Like a Dog

Alright, hoomans. Here’s where you stop yawning and start learning. Want to nap like a 45kg champion? Equip yourself like one.

1. Pick a nap-worthy bed

Comfort meets airflow with this beauty. The Sivomens Elevated Dog Bed isn’t just for dogs—okay, it is—but the hooman lesson here? Elevated = airflow. Off the ground = no back pain. Less sweat puddle = better nap scores. Made of breathable Teslin fabric, it keeps temps cool and paws fresher. Elevate your sleepy zone before your dog claims it first.

2. Stay cool, literally

If I had a dollar for every snore I delivered on the Rywell Dog Cooling Mat, I’d have my own house by now. Featuring fabric from Japan (fancy, right?), this mat lowers my body temp faster than a belly splash in the dam. No dodgy gel, no chemicals—just next-level cool. You should try sleeping without melting for once.

3. Create a space that signals “safe zone”

Us dogs won’t nap somewhere we don’t feel totally chill. Think plush, supported, surrounded. If your nap pad is more chaos than comfort, look at something like the Dog Bed Linen Look Basket. Soft squish in the middle? Check. Raised rim for head support? Woof yes. Removable cover for easy cleaning? You’ll thank yourself when the snack crumbs hit.

4. Embrace the nap schedule

I nap any time, any place. But if you structure 20-minute “power flops” into your day, you’ll start to see results. Just like obedience training, repetition builds habit. And bonus? You’ll feel smug telling people you’re “practicing restorative mindfulness.”

But Thor, don’t dogs nap all day because they're lazy?

Slander, hooman. We nap like it’s a full-time job because it is. Dogs spend 50-75% of our time sleeping to recover, reboot, and prepare for our next stick-chasing mission. You call it unproductive—we call it smart energy management. So if you’re burning out while we snooze in shifts, maybe it’s time to reassess who's actually got it figured out.

Ready to stop tossing and start snoozing?

Try snoozing how we snooze: guilt-free, legs out, and deeply, deeply relaxed. Upgrade your gear. Create your own version of a tail-wagging nook. Start sleeping for recovery—not just out of desperation. Your brain, body, and possibly your furry housemate will thank you.