Temperature
Just like in humans, dogs can get cold. Have you ever fallen asleep on a cold night in the winter, bundled up under the covers, curled up in a ball? Curling up is an instinctual position for any kind of mammal trying to stay warm. Your dog is the same! Sleeping curled up tightly in a ball while burying his nose is a way to regulate his body temperature and stay warm.
Security and Comfort
By sleeping in a tight, curled-up ball and covering his nose, your dog may feel more safe and secure. This allows him to feel more comfortable and relaxed and may help him get a better night’s sleep. In a study observing the preferred sleeping position of dogs in shelters, Dr Katherine Houpt observed that almost all of the dogs sleep curled up.
Brightness
Unlike humans, dogs can’t put on an eye mask or close the curtains. Your dog may be burying his nose also to cover his eyes if he’s sleeping in a bright room. Your dog may be able to rest more peacefully and comfortably if his face is covered so the room is darker.
Fear and Anxiety
Some dogs will try to hide their nose, eyes, or even their whole face if they are dealing with fear or anxiety. A dog covering his face may be an attempt to communicate how fearful or uncomfortable they are. In dog body language, direct eye contact is often seen as a threat.
When your dog sleeps with his nose and eyes covered, he’s giving off very calming and neutral body language signals.
Instinct
In the wild, dogs will sleep curled up in a ball for two main reasons – to preserve their body heat and to protect their most vital organs inside their abdomen. This is a natural instinct while they’re sleeping to protect themselves from any possible predators.
Even though our dogs have been living by our sides inside our homes for many decades now, there are times when they revert back to their natural instincts. Besides, since dogs have been sleeping in this position for years, it’s a comfortable position for them!
How to Make Your Dog More Comfortable When Sleeping
It’s important for your dog’s overall health and wellness that he gets a good night’s rest. Dogs spend about 12 hours a day, or 50% of their day sleeping. It’s essential that dogs get good sleep because that’s when the body restores itself.
You can make your dog more comfortable at night by giving him a comfortable bed. If your dog has a preferred sleeping position, you can take that into consideration when purchasing a bed. If you have an older dog, an orthopaedic bed to support his joints may be a good choice.
If your dog prefers curling up, a doughnut or circular-shaped bed with bolster sides may be a good option. This shape will encourage your dog’s natural curled sleeping position and help him feel more secure.
If your dog prefers to sleep sprawled out, a flat bed may be a better option. Since there are no sides to restrict your dog’s movement, he can sprawl out however he is most comfortable.
Some dogs will also find comfort in having soft blankets added to their bed. This extra material gives them something to “nest” into. This is an instinctual behaviour that helps your dog feel more comfortable and secure. It also gives them something to burrow into to keep warm.
Conclusion
While there are several reasons that your dog may bury his nose when he sleeps, chances are that he’s very comfortable sleeping in that position. Just like with humans, dogs sleep in a variety of positions and need to be comfortable to feel safe and secure so that they can get a good night’s sleep.
Giving your dog a bed and blanket or even a pillow will help him feel more comfortable and relaxed. Setting up the room to be ideal for sleeping may also help. Adjusting the temperature so that it’s not too cold and turning off the lights will help provide a cosy setting for your dog to sleep.
Ensuring that your dog is able to rest comfortably as much as he wants is important for your dog’s overall health and well-being.
