When dog sleeps on back?

Of all the goofy positions you can find your dog in, one of the most hilarious contortions is when they’re asleep on their back with their legs splayed wide open or pointed in the air. It doesn’t look all that comfortable from a human perspective, but it must be for our furry friends, right? If you’ve ever wondered why dogs sleep on their backs and what it means, we’ve uncovered all the reasons.

Our canine companions have so many different sleeping positions, but there’s a reason behind each one other than merely a personal pup preference. Each position can give you some insight into your dog’s health, mood, and evolutionary behavior. If your pup frequently goes belly up while snoozing, here’s what it can tell you about your furball.

A dog sleeping on his back can mean that he’s simply trying to cool off. The most efficient way our canines regulate their body temperature is through panting. But obviously, they don’t pant when they’re asleep. So when dogs feel hot but are trying to get some shut-eye, going belly and leg up is the best way they can snooze comfortably. Why? It’s all about biology.

With most dogs, their fur is thinner on their bellies, so back-sleeping is a more efficient way to get airflow to their bodies. But their feet come into play as well. Dogs have sweat glands (called merocrine glands) in their paw pads (and noses). These glands don’t produce much sweat, but in the absence of panting, they can help a dog cool down a bit. So having their paws up in the air when catching some Z’s can help with thermoregulation.

Puppies overheat faster than adult dogs, so that may explain why you often find your puppy sleeping on his back. The same goes for older and overweight dogs. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like Pugs and French Bulldogs also tend to overheat more quickly, but they may not sleep on their backs as much due to breathing problems associated with these breeds.

Back-sleeping, especially with the legs spread out, is also a way for them to relieve excess pressure and relax aching muscles and joints. Senior dogs who suffer from arthritis or joint problems or those recovering from surgery or an injury may choose this sleeping position for the most comfort. If your dog has joint pain, you may want to consider an orthopedic dog bed, which can help relieve achiness.

In the wild, dogs typically don’t sleep belly-up because it makes their bodies, specifically their internal organs, more vulnerable. It’s also a position that’s harder to jump up from and defend themselves when there’s a perceived threat. So instead, they curl up to protect themselves. So what does it mean when your furry friend sleeps on his back? It’s a sign that your dog feels safe, secure, and completely relaxed in your home.

Fun Facts: The most common dog sleeping position is the “side sleeper,” when they’re lying on their sides with their legs extended. Adult dogs sleep an average of 11 hours each day. Nearly half of all dogs sleep in bed with their owners.

Dogs roll over and lie on their backs for several reasons, which we highlight below. But if you’re trying to figure out if your pup wants a belly rub, pay attention to his other body language. If your dog’s legs and tail are relaxed, that’s a good sign. If his tail is between his legs, it’s probably best to avoid it. Some dogs simply don’t care for belly rubs.

Check out this brief video to learn what several other dog sleeping positions reveal about your pup.

When dogs are lying on their backs, they don't have a care in the world and are completely relaxed. Obviously, your pup feels right at home. Experts think that when dogs expose their most vulnerable parts this way, they feel safe and secure.

Unique sleeping positions can mean anything, from discomfort and joint pain to just getting comfy — so, why do dogs sleep on their backs? We’ve looked into this funny phenomenon to see what vets and canine behavior specialists had to say, and you’re going to love the answer. If your dog sleeps on their back, you should feel so special! Give yourself a pat on the back, pet parents.

Like any behavior or sleep position, back-sleeping can stem from many causes. Some of these reasons are more subtle than others, but none are reasons to worry about your pet’s health or well-being. Generally speaking, when a dog sleeps on their back, it’s a good thing!

Remember, dogs regulate their body temperature through their paws and skin, so sleeping on their backs may just be your buddy’s way of cooling off. Durango Animal Hospital’s Dr. Travis McDermott told Southern Living that having their paws and belly — where the fur is thinnest — in the air helps cool off these sensitive areas. It’s the same reason a dog might lie stomach down on a cool tile floor!

So, if you see your best bud napping with their belly up, they may just be trying to chill for a bit.

While awake, dogs rolling over to expose their stomach can be one way of expressing submission to another dog (or to a person), though it’s not impossible to fall asleep in this position — as almost any dog will prove. This stance is not one that has been observed in wolves or wild dogs, notes veterinarian Dr. Patty Khuly — at least, not while sleeping. It wouldn’t be a safe way to rest if there were predators out and about, after all.

Whether this is the main reason for your pup’s back-sleeping, it’s safe to say that any dog who chooses this position for naps feels secure where they are. Lying on their back is an incredibly vulnerable position, even for domestic dogs, says Dr. McDermott, so you can rest assured that your furry friend feels safe and sound at home when you see this.

Isn’t that great news? Whatever you’re doing as a pet parent, keep it up! Keeping our fur babies happy and healthy is the best feeling — make sure to enjoy it!

If your pup knows you’re nearby while they flip onto their back, it’s possible they’re asking for a belly rub before they doze off for the moment. In times like this, your pup may not seem as sleepy. They may be focused on you instead of their nap, which can be equally as adorable.

If you indulge your buddy with some scratches in moments like this, you may be reinforcing this behavior. It’s up to you whether that is a good thing, but it’s something to keep in mind.

Well — why do you sleep on your back? It’s comfy, right? Your dog probably feels the same way!

This is especially likely if your four-legged friend is deep in sleep in this position — it’s a great sign! A comfy pup is a well-rested, happy pup, after all.

There are virtually no negative consequences to a dog sleeping on their back, so you don’t have a reason to worry! Nor should you worry if your dog doesn’t sleep like this. Plenty of other resting positions are signs of a happy dog, too.

Not only does back-sleeping mean your pup is comfortable, but they’re also feeling safe. If this is the case, you should give yourself a pat on the back for showing your best bud the love and security they rightfully deserve. You’re doing something right!

Now that you know what it means when a dog sleeps on their back, you can sit back and enjoy all of your goofy pup’s funny nap positions. You can smile and laugh at their silly postures with no guilt whatsoever — who doesn’t enjoy stretching out for a comfortable rest? Maybe you’ll even let it inspire you to get in on the coziness. Nap time, anyone?

When dogs snooze at funny angles, it’s not only by choice. It’s all about their health, comfort, and ancestry.

“Dogs are smart,” says AKC Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Jerry Klein, DVM. “If breathing is difficult for them, they won’t put their bodies in a situation that restricts their airways.”

Because adult dogs average 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day, with puppies and seniors grabbing more ZZZs, their positions during these times affect their health.

Laying on their back while getting some shut-eye helps dogs cool off. Unlike people who sweat to control their body temperature, dogs perspire through the pads of their feet. Since short-coated and most long-coated dogs have less hair on their bellies, air circulates faster through the paw pads and abdomen to keep cool if they’re upright.

“Some dogs cool themselves off better when they lie on their back and expose themselves,” Dr. Klein says. “Zoey, my 4-year-old female Afghan, lies on her back with her legs sprawled out a way in front, and she can make herself stretch eight feet long.”

Who’s more at risk of staying cool? In hot or humid weather, puppies and older dogs are more susceptible to overheating than healthy adult dogs. Dogs who are overweight, suffer from cardiac or lung conditions, and recuperating from illness are especially vulnerable to heatstroke.

Brachycephalic or flat-faced breeds, such as Boston Terriers, Boxers, Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Shih Tzus, and Pekingese, also struggle with thermoregulating.

“Flat-faced dogs tend to sleep with their paws up a lot less,” Dr. Klein says. “They might choose a frog man position with bellies down, and rear legs stretched out behind them with their pads up. It’s all based on their comfort level. If it’s uncomfortable, they won’t do it.”

It’s no wonder that these dogs get creative to keep cool. When the weather heats up, that expensive, padded pillow you recently bought for your dog takes second place to a spot on the cold floor. If there’s a breeze from a portable fan or an open door, count on a canine to hog it.

How can you help keep your dog cool? Special dog beds may help. Gel-cooled mats feel good to dogs, especially when the temperature heats up. Elevated dog beds can also provide a much-needed breeze below them.

For senior dogs who suffer from arthritis or are recovering from an injury or surgery, back sleeping avoids added pressure on sore muscles and joints. But getting an orthopedic dog bed can help ease any pain.

Another reason for nodding off bellies up relates to their ancestry. “By exposing their bellies and elongating their bodies, they make themselves vulnerable,” Dr. Klein says. “It means they feel relaxed and mentally comfortable in your household.”

When dogs lie on their back, it signals a submissive posture. If another dog approaches, rolling over belly up translates to, “I’m not a threat—please walk away and don’t bother me.”

Why will a dog roll onto their back from a different sleeping position? Ask a dog what it’s doing dozing on the good couch when it knows that’s never allowed, and expect to see its belly followed by a sheepish, guilty look!

In the wild, when dogs slept outdoors in a curled-up position, they felt they had to protect themselves from predators and did not sleep on their backs. “Guardian and herding breeds whose job involves watching flocks never sleep on their backs,” Dr. Klein says. “Somehow, they manage to doze with one eye open in case they have to jump up in a hurry. Form follows function even in sleeping.”

• Soft eye contact. Eye contact can mean many things, but dogs are naturally quite hesitant to make eye contact.
• Tail wagging. Your dog's tail can display a whole range of emotions and a wag from them doesn't always necessarily mean they are happy.
• Cuddling (on their terms) .
• Happy greeting.

Just like humans, dogs sleep in a variety of positions. From sleeping on their side to sleeping on their back with their paws in the air, we can learn a lot about our furry friends through their sleeping positions and habits.

Dog sleeping positions are like little clues that can give insight into how they’re feeling. To truly understand dog sleeping habits, we tapped the minds of veterinarians and professional dog trainers to reveal what 10 common dog sleeping positions mean.

Read on to check out our dog sleeping positions chart, learn more about the adorable meaning behind these sleeping positions, and gain insight into common dog and puppy sleeping habits.

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Just like humans, dogs love to sleep on their side. Lying on their side with their legs extended is one of the most common sleeping positions for dogs. This sleeping position is especially prominent in puppies as well as older dogs who may be suffering from stiff joints.

Meaning: When your dog sleeps on their side, it means they feel relaxed and safe in their environment. According to Dr. Jennifer Coates, DVM, who serves on the advisory board for Pup Life Today, “dogs will sleep in this position when they are feeling comfortable with their surroundings and are at a comfortable temperature.”

It’s also when they’re likely to get the most deep sleep. Jen Jones, a professional dog trainer, behavior specialist, and founder of Your Dog Advisor, says that “this position is also where you’ll often notice ‘sleep running’ and twitching during your dog’s dreams, as their paws are loose and free to move.”

The lion’s pose sleeping position (also called ‘the sphinx’) is when your dog sleeps with their head on top of their paws — similar to statues of lions you might see outside of large buildings. Your dog can also fall asleep in this position with their front paws tucked in and their back legs at one side.

Meaning: When dogs sleep in this position it means they are resting, but not sleeping deeply. According to Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ, and the vet expert at Pumpkin Pet Insurance, “dogs will often start out in this position if they feel like they will need to jump up quickly.”

The superman position is when your dog lays sprawled out on the ground with their belly pressed to the floor, their back legs behind them, and their front legs stretched forward. Sometimes called a “sploot,” this is a common position among puppies and very playful dogs.

Meaning: When your dog sleeps on their stomach in the superman position, it means that they’re tired but ready to play if the opportunity arises. Jen Jones says that “this position allows for dogs to snooze quickly, but be ready to hop up at a moment’s notice to play.” This is a common sleeping position for high energy dogs during the day.

The donut position is when your dog sleeps curled up in a ball with all of their limbs tucked close to their body. Sometimes their nose will touch their hind legs in a “shrimp” curl and they may even drape their tail over their body.

Meaning: According to Dr. Margaret Gruen, DVM, this position keeps all of the dog’s vital organs tucked and hidden. When a dog sleeps in this position, it means that they seek to protect themselves while sleeping or that they’re still getting used to their environment. This is especially common in stray or new dogs.

This is also a favorite position for dogs when they are cold. By curling up in a ball, they are attempting to preserve their body heat. Dr. Linda Simon, a Veterinarian and Veterinary Consultant for ThePets, says that this is a popular position “when the weather is cold and/or windy, as it would have protected dogs from the elements when they slept outside.”

One of the most adorable dog sleeping positions is ‘the cuddler’ position. This is when your dog prefers to sleep on top of you or another dog cuddled up. This is a great position for those that love to let their dog sleep in bed with them.

Meaning: Peter Laskay, a pet expert and pet care blogger at Petworshiper, says that this position is a clear sign of bonding and “that the dog wants to get close to you or other dogs.”

According to the vets at PetMD, sleep-cuddling is a leftover behavior from when your dog was a puppy and snuggled up with their litter to keep warm. When they’re older, cuddling turns into a habit of comfort.

Have you noticed that your dog seeks out pillows, clothes, or blankets to sleep under? If so, your pooch likes to sleep in the burrower position.

Meaning: When dogs sleep in the burrower position, they are searching for comfort and security. Burrowers may also be seeking to calm themselves down — studies have shown that dog shirts meant to swaddle them in gentle pressure help ease nervous behaviors for dogs with anxiety disorder.

Jo Myers, DVM, told The Wildest that burrowing under blankets could also just be your dog’s way of taking a cozy break from their vigilant watch over the house and their pack members. Just like how humans use a sleep mask to minimize noise and light, your dog could be trying to block out distractions before bed.

Arguably one of the cutest dog sleeping positions, the belly up position is just as it sounds. This position is when your dog lies on their back with their belly up and paws in the air. As uncomfortable as this position may look, this is a sign of true comfort and relaxation in dogs.

Meaning: Dogs who sleep on their back with their tummy and paws in the air do so for a few reasons. One of them is to keep cool. Jen Jones says, “dogs sweat through their paws and their belly is a source of heat. When they sleep on their back with their belly in the air and paws up, they are trying to keep cool.”

Because this is such a vulnerable position to be in, when dogs sleep on their back with their paws in the air, it also means that they fully trust you and their environment. Dr. Sarah Wooten says that “because they are exposing their belly and their vital organs to the world, you have to know that they feel really secure to fall asleep in this position.”

As dogs age, you’ll notice that they may no longer sleep on their back as much. According to Steffi Trott, a professional dog trainer and the owner of SpiritDog Training, this is due to arthritis and you should not assume that your dog is no longer trusting you.

Similar to the cuddler sleeping position, when a dog likes to sleep back to back, it means they like to cuddle up and get as close as possible by placing their back next to either you or another dog. In the simplest form, this position is a sign of love and comfort.

Meaning: Sleeping back to back indicates a sense of intimacy. When a dog sleeps in this position, they are showing you affection and trust. According to Jen Jones, “dogs may choose to sleep this way with one person in the home they feel safest with.” This can include additional family members or other dogs and cats.

Whether it’s lying face down on the kitchen floor or sprawled out on your pavement, dogs tend to sleep on a cold surface when they are hot. This type of position can take the form of the superman pose or could be similar to the lion’s pose. Whatever it is, your dog is likely making sure their tummy is touching the cold surface.

Meaning: This position is directly related to temperature. “Dogs may be hot if they sleep sprawled out on cool surfaces, particularly when they’re on their bellies with legs extended maximizing the amount of unhaired skin that touches the cold floor or ground,” says Dr. Jennifer Coates. If you notice your dog seeking out cold surfaces to sleep on, try your best to cool them down with the tips below:

Some dogs seek out a sleeping position where their head and neck are raised. They will usually leverage the side of their dog bed or a couch cushion.

Meaning: If your dog likes to sleep in a position where their head and neck are raised, it could mean that they may have issues breathing properly — something that is commonly seen with chronic heart disease and other health problems.

According to Dr. Linda Simon, if your dog sleeps in this position “keep an eye out for worrying symptoms such as faster breathing rate, noisy breathing, or a reduced ability to exercise.” If you notice any of these symptoms, make sure to contact your veterinarian.

Make sure to check out our full dog sleeping positions chart below.

While your dog is fast asleep, you may notice them start to snore, bark, or even twitch. These sleeping behaviors are normal and can even give you insight into the quality of sleep they’re getting.

If you notice your dog exhibiting any of the above sleep patterns, there is no need to worry! Every dog’s sleeping habits will be different and are perfectly normal.

There are specific daytime and nighttime sleep habits unique to puppies.

Just like human babies, puppies need an adequate amount of sleep so they can develop and grow properly. To make sure your pup is getting enough sleep, it’s important for them to stick to a consistent sleep schedule.

On average, here’s how many hours dogs sleep by age:

Typically, adult dogs will sleep 12–14 hours a day. However, just like humans, these numbers can vary based on your dog, their age, activity level, and personality. Dr. Linda Simon says that you “will likely find that your pooch sleeps more on days they have been most active.”

According to Veterinarian Dr. Joanna Woodnutt from DoggieDesigner, “dogs sleep the most between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., although they usually have afternoon naps.” These naps can happen several times a day depending on your dog.

Puppies, on the other hand, need significantly more sleep for their development and can even sleep up to 20 hours a day. Senior dogs also often have less energy and sleep more during the day.

If you notice that your dog starts to sleep a lot more or is staying awake longer than usual, consider scheduling a vet exam to check for any underlying issues.

It’s important to always keep an eye on your dog’s sleeping habits. The position they sleep in or the amount of sleep they get each day can be little clues into how they are feeling — both mentally and physically.

Dr. Jennifer Coates says that “dogs who are sleeping more or less than normal or in new positions or locations may be suffering from an illness or injury.” It’s always a good idea to talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog’s sleep habits.

To help your dog get the best sleep possible, make sure their sleeping environment is comfortable. You can do this by buying a dog bed they love, filling their sleep area with their favorite toys, and keeping water nearby.

If your dog is a cuddler and likes to snooze in bed beside you, make sure to get a mattress protector to safe-guard against any accidents or spills.