Nap Time - You Pet May Not Be Lazy
- Date: 2007-06-13 - Word Count: 314
Share This!
Every species has a daily pattern of sleep and activity. Most humans operate on a cycle of nightly sleep, followed by waking with the daylight, a dip in the energy in the afternoon, alertness in the early evening, then a return to sleep in the late night.
Other animal species have rather different patterns. Some are nocturnal, waking mainly at night and sleeping in the day (many rodents operate on such a cycle). Others naturally spend much more time asleep than we do (cats and dogs, for example), taking a series of quick naps over the day.
Your pet is not being lazy when it seems to spend all its time asleep. It is only following the internal clock it has inherited from its ancestors, who took naps whenever possible if they were in a safe place, conserving energy for the daily hunt for food. Other species originated in hot climates, where they had to sleep the day away in a cool spot, then hunt for prey by evening or night.
It can be normal for some animals to spend as many as 18 hours out of every 24 in a nap and sleep mode, against humans' average of eight hours per day. Very young and very old animals also need much more sleep than healthy adults of their own species.
A wealth of information about the normal sleep behavior of your particular species of pet is available from the internet, books and veterinarians. Learn what kind of sleep your pet requires, so you will know when to leave it alone, when to play with it, and when it seems to be sleeping much more or less than usual, which may indicate health problems. So remember, do not be too quick to judge your pet the next time you catch it yawning...It could be that your pet is moving into its natural sleeping cycle - inherited from their ancestors.
Other animal species have rather different patterns. Some are nocturnal, waking mainly at night and sleeping in the day (many rodents operate on such a cycle). Others naturally spend much more time asleep than we do (cats and dogs, for example), taking a series of quick naps over the day.
Your pet is not being lazy when it seems to spend all its time asleep. It is only following the internal clock it has inherited from its ancestors, who took naps whenever possible if they were in a safe place, conserving energy for the daily hunt for food. Other species originated in hot climates, where they had to sleep the day away in a cool spot, then hunt for prey by evening or night.
It can be normal for some animals to spend as many as 18 hours out of every 24 in a nap and sleep mode, against humans' average of eight hours per day. Very young and very old animals also need much more sleep than healthy adults of their own species.
A wealth of information about the normal sleep behavior of your particular species of pet is available from the internet, books and veterinarians. Learn what kind of sleep your pet requires, so you will know when to leave it alone, when to play with it, and when it seems to be sleeping much more or less than usual, which may indicate health problems. So remember, do not be too quick to judge your pet the next time you catch it yawning...It could be that your pet is moving into its natural sleeping cycle - inherited from their ancestors.
Related Tags: dog, cat, pet, bird, parrot, pet health, adopt a pet, how to adopt pet
Tangopang loves animal. More of good readings at www.howto-petadoption.com Visit Pet Tips and Adoption for more pets talk. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Time I Had a Pet Blue Wasp
A lot of people have pets such as dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, turtles and some even have snakes and - Why Should You Buy Barking Collars For Dogs?
You love your dog but he always barks and misbehaves. It is very upsetting for owners to have dogs t - What to Consider Before Adopting a Dog
There may be plenty of occasions in your life when a puppy crosses your path and desperately needs a - What Do Pet Insurance Policies Cover?
The most basic pet insurance policies simply cover vet bills. More advanced policies can cover every - Dog Walkers Are They For You
If you own a dog then you will know how important it is to ensure that it is walked often to keep th - Creating the Right First Aid Kit For Your Dog
Most of us have some type of first aid kit in our homes. They are necessary for those small bumps an - Deciding to Crate Your Dog For Training
There are several different ways that you may decide to use to train your new dog and they are all v - What to Know About Diets For Dogs
Weight seems to be a struggle for just about anyone, and that is true in the world of dogs. In fact, - Dog Training Basics - Important Tips to Remember
Training your dog is important. It's important for his safety, your safety, the safety of your prope - Don't Go Raising Sheep For Wool Without Reading This!
There are many possible reasons why people choose to raise sheep. Some do it as a means of livelihoo
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppy And Dog Information
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not an apartment dog. She needs plenty of room to exercise and havin - How To Choose The Right Dog Trainer
Choosing a trainer is a very important decision and one that requires a fair amount of research and - Can Greenies Dog Treats Recover From Death?
A Makeover For Greenies(r) Treats Months after a series of lawsuits and media attention alleged the - Dog Treats - How to Choose Healthy Treats for Your Dog
Your dog is indeed your best friend and how you feed him or her is very important. Even small items - How to Choose A Good Dog Trainer
If you find that you are not being successful in training your own dog, or maybe you don't have the - Dog Breeds and Asthma Sufferers: Are Hypoallergenic Breeds Always Best?
The first important consideration is to understand exactly what hypoallergenic dog breeds are. In sh - Audubon Bird Feeders
Bird watching is an enjoyable hobby for many of us. We love the antics of the different birds as - Must Have Accessories For Your Fish Tank
When many individuals think of fish tank accessories, decorations are often the first thing that com - The Beautifull Hummingbirds
The hummingbirds diet requires nectar as a source of energy and for their protein source small insec - Clumber Spaniel Puppy And Dog Information
The Clumber Spaniel is an intelligent, calm dog great for apartments as they do not need a great dea