How are you sleeping, my beloved dog? Healthy sleep of pet dogs as a factor of welfare

Abstract

Pets living in urban agglomerations are subject to numerous risk factors that provoke health problems. One of these factors is a violation of the “wakefulness-sleep” cycle. A sleep-deprived animal is in a state of serious stress, since this condition is more difficult to tolerate than food deprivation, making the animal more susceptible to health decline factors. Due to this problem, sleep hygiene plays an important role in ensuring the wellfare of pet dogs. The article provides an overview of modern studies on the specificities of the sleep-wake cycles in domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris L.). Modern data on the general physiology of mammal sleep, especially pet dogs, are examined. Methods to analyses the features of the sleep cycles of dogs and their possible disorders are given. Also, we discuss the influence of co-sleeping of a person and a dog on the quality of sleep of both.