Why Do French Bulldogs Sleep So Much [10 Reasons]

I always get this why do French bulldogs sleep so much from my friends who own French Bulldogs, I decided to dig deep and do more research, and that is why I wrote this article.

In this article, you will learn why French Bulldogs sleep so much that sometimes you would think your Frenchie is ill, but that is not always the truth.

So read through to find out more reasons.

Why do French Bulldogs sleep so much?

 French Bulldogs sleep so much because they are a short-snouted breed that has a short nose that makes it hard to breathe, so they get tired quickly, it also turns out that French Bulldogs have a pretty unique sleep cycle and are liable to have respiratory problems.

They also have a tendency to overheat, and limiting activity helps keep that from happening.

The French Bulldog is a big cuddler and likes to sleep close to their humans. They enjoy this contact and comfort.

The French Bulldog is a toy breed and is liable to have respiratory problems.

In order to keep them from becoming overheated, they need to sleep in the coolest, most comfortable place possible.

There are some breeds of dogs that are notorious for being lazy. You can’t find a more perfect example of the term slothful than the French Bulldog.

This breed of dog is one that is notorious for sleeping for the vast majority of the day. They sleep so often that you may even wonder if they are not entirely alive.

French Bulldogs are known for their long naps, but why?! A lot of people say that it’s because they are sassy, lazy, and don’t want to do anything.

But there is a more scientific answer. It turns out that French Bulldogs have a pretty unique sleep cycle.

They sleep for about 12 hours at a time, but they only sleep in spurts of about 30 minutes to an hour.

So while they might be awake for a good 4 hours, they are not “awake” for the entire day.

You can read more about 16 French Bulldogs’ behavior problems, or read more about the French Bulldog health challenges.

Let’s talk about some reasons Frenchies may result in sleeping for so long.

Reasons Why French Bulldogs Sleep So Much

Here are some of the common reasons why French Bulldogs sleep so much which are as follows:

Breed traits and fewer activities to perform

French Bulldogs were selectively bred to be human companions and not to be service dogs like German shepherds or hunting dogs like Beagles.

Being human companions, Frenchies do not need to do lots of exercises to stay healthy, but just to perform their primary task of companionship.

Since French Bulldogs are not servicing dogs they have nothing to do rather than sleep in their spare time.

They also sleep a lot because they are generally prone to heat exhaustion, and can not work for long.

French Bulldogs are lap dogs that do well with their owner’s care which means they have nothing to do.

Hormone Imbalance

Due to this reason of some hormonal changes in most Frenchies, French Bulldogs tend to have longer sleeping hours during winter.

Additionally, many French Bulldogs have a higher incidence of hormone imbalance.

It could be caused by a vitamin or mineral deficiency, and the result is extreme sleepiness and even depression.

The warm temperature of the house, as well as its chemical makeup, may cause excessive levels of stress to French Bulldogs which always results in sleeping too much.

Recommended article: How To Take Care Of A French Bulldog: Ultimate Guide.

Seasonal Mood Changes

French Bulldogs are known to live in a country where temperature varies every year, like in the Uk, and the USA.

French Bulldogs are adapted to the changing environment, but this affects their sleep patterns and can explain the long sleeping hours during the winter.

Generally, Frenchies tend to sleep longer during the winter, as it helps them fight off seasonal mood changes.

Being depressed and angry is a common side effect of seasonal affective disorder in French Bulldogs.

As it is also known as the winter blues, seasonal depression also makes Frenchies sleep longer.

Changes in Routine

Your Frenchie can result in unnecessary lengthy sleeping because of the little change in your daily routine, after all, they love sleeping.

This can be corrected over time so it’s not much of an issue.

Over Stimulation

Much like us humans, French Bulldogs get overstimulated in the winter months. They have to contend with many other factors that affect their sleep.

Also, an increasing number of French Bulldogs are kept indoors and the average temperature in the houses is lower.

As the temperature starts to drop, French Bulldogs tend to get tired, making it hard to get them to go back to their feet. This leads to them sleeping longer as a natural reaction.

It’s never a good idea to leave your Frenchie alone in the cold. The right temperature and temperature changes in the environment could have a severe effect on their health.

It is recommended to bring them to the warmest room in the house, remove unnecessary clothes, use a shaded lamp to control the indoor temperatures, and ensure that they have enough space to play and sleep.

Cold & Hot Temperatures

This might sound strange, but Frenchies who are confined indoors without any form of exercise or entertainment tend to sleep longer.

The colder temperatures inside the house make it difficult for Frenchies to get rid of all the drowsiness.

French Bulldogs fall asleep more easily in such extreme temperatures. If the temperature is high, it leads to unnecessary heat exhaustion, which makes Frenchies weak.

If the temperature is too low, It’s also a problem because it makes them feel cold and inactive which will lead to longer sleeping time.

Mold and mildew

The lack of ventilation in the houses during the winter leads to mildew and mold.

While the French Bulldog is sleeping, it is not getting proper air circulation. The longer it stays inside, the more chances are there for the air to get trapped in the house and lead to mildew.

This is why French Bulldogs tend to sleep longer when there is a mildew or mold problem in their houses.

Light exposure

French Bulldogs have very sensitive eyes that depend heavily on sight to help them function.

As it gets darker outside, there is a gradual decrease in the amount of daylight.

If a Frenchie has improved resting and sleeps behavior when light levels are high, it’s due to seasonal light.

Generally, French Bulldogs are not always doing good when exposed to high-light intensity which can sometimes force them to go to bed for several hours.

Death of companion

This is one of the major reasons why French Bulldogs may result in oversleeping as a sign of depression or anxiety.

French Bulldogs are an amazing social breed of dogs that are often attached to a single person that takes more care of them.

When they lose their loved ones, they become highly depressed, they may start staying on their own, and can develop separation anxiety.

Age

French Bulldog puppies are going to require much more sleep than their adult counterparts. As they age into adulthood, your Frenchie is also likely to require more sleep during this time of their life as they tire easier.

Adult French Bulldogs sleep as much as 14-16 hours per day. Frenchie puppies may sleep as long as 18 hours per day, and senior French Bulldogs tend to sleep for much longer.

So to wrap it up, the current age of a Frenchie has a lot to do with how long they sleep.

Questions

Here is more interesting information that will help you understand why French Bulldogs sleep so much:

How do I know if my Frenchie is getting enough sleep?

Here are signs your French Bulldog is getting enough sleep which is as follows:

• Waking you up long before your alarm goes off.
• French Bulldog becomes too active during the night.
• Always Sleepy during the day
• Needing to go outside in the middle of the night.
• Less snoring at night
• Sleeping with eyes closed
• Sleeping after a few minutes of eating.

Why do French Bulldogs sleep with their eyes open?

French bulldogs sleep with their eyes open because they are short-snouted breeds and are always breathing, which means they’re always awake – even when they’re sleeping.

They often have breathing problems, which means they can’t sleep deeply like other breeds of dogs.

Is it bad for French bulldogs to sleep all day?

Yes, it is not right for French Bulldogs to sleep all day, but it is a good practice that French Bulldogs at most sleep not more than 8 – 10 hours per day, anything more than this, is not normal because they may become lazy and develop unnecessary health challenges.

They still need little exercise to keep them fit.

Why do French Bulldogs like to sleep so close to their humans?

French Bulldogs love to sleep close to their owners because French Bulldogs were selectively bred to be human companion dogs that are always around their owners, also French Bulldogs are great cuddlers that thrive better on human companions rather than staying alone which is why they are prone to separation anxiety.

How does the overheating affect French Bulldog sleep?

Due to the French Bulldog’s breathing difficulties, they are prone to overheating which will affect them when they sleep, so sleeping becomes a problem when they don’t take in enough air to keep their respiratory track active.

It is recommended you calm your Frenchie down before you send them to bed, according to French Bulldog Owner there are many ways you can help French Bulldogs with overheating.

How do I know if my Frenchie is not getting enough sleep?

There are many ways to know that your Frenchie is not getting enough sleep, which is as follows:

• When your French Bulldog seems grumpy
• If your Frenchie is always disoriented.
• Your Frenchie is very forgetful.
• When your Frenchie finds it difficult to concentrate or performing his usual tasks.
• If your Frenchie is always pacing at night.
• Suddenly collapsing after activity
• Always snoring too loud after a little exercise.
• Signs of Insomnia

Can my French bulldog sleep in my bed?

Yes, French Bulldogs can sleep with their owners since they were selectively bred to be human companions, and provided it’s safe and also provided it will not lead to choking either the owner or the French Bulldog, it is totally safe to sleep on the same bed.

Why are French Bulldogs prone to so much snoring?

French Bulldogs are prone to snoring because they are a short-snouted breed that has a short nose that makes it hard for them to breathe, so they get tired quickly.

Their narrow nostrils make it hard for them to take in air and push out air, which results in snoring most of the time.

Too much exercise can lead to a French Bulldog heat exhaustion, which is a problem most Frenchies encounter and when they sleep, they snore a lot.

How to identify abnormal sleeping habits in French Bulldogs

Being a reputable and good Frenchie owner entails you will monitor your Frenchie sleeping habits which should be a top priority as unusual sleeping habits can be a sign that your Frenchie is sick.

Here are some symptoms to watch out for:

• Constant unusual sleep cycles.
• Having trouble waking up your Frenchie even after sleeping for a long?
• Staying awake for 8 hours in a row.
• Frequent eye-rolling indicates possible seizures.
• Constant convulsions
• Bad sleeping postures

Health Reasons Why French Bulldogs show abnormal sleeping habits

Here are some medical reasons why French Bulldogs may show signs of abnormal sleeping habits:

• Intense depression
• Hypothyroidism
• Convulsions
• Any metabolic disease
• Cancer
• Seizures
• Hormonal imbalances
• Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea because of obesity