Dog Sleep Habits
In order to understand why dogs curl up in a ball to sleep, we need to look at the variations in dogs’ sleeping positions. While some of them look very uncomfortable to us, they are perfect for dogs.
- Common dog sleeping positions include:
- Stretched out on their tummy
- Stretched out on their side
- On their back with their paws in the air
- Snuggled up next to their human or an animal companion
- Curled up in a ball
Much like humans, dogs like to sleep in comfortable positions. But some sleep positions have more benefits than others. Sleeping spread out on their tummy or side can help dogs to cool off in a hot environment. In contrast, curling up in a tight ball helps them stay warm.
However, dogs will fall asleep in a position that makes them feel safest. For a dog to sleep on their back with their belly exposed, they must be physically and psychologically comfortable with their surrounding environment. Essentially, they must trust that they won’t come to any harm while they’re asleep.
Curling Up to Stay Warm
The most apparent reason dogs curl up in a ball is to maintain their body heat. Consider how you curl up in a bed on a cold winter’s night. You pull the blankets up to your chin, draw your knees up, or maybe even snuggle into your dog.
Huddling or curling up for warmth is an instinctive behaviour in all mammals. You and your dog are no exception!
Wild dogs curl up in dens and huddle together to stay warm. Even though your dog has a nice warm house to sleep in, their wild instincts remain, so your dog is hardwired to curl up when it’s cold. This is also the reason dogs “dig” at their beds, blankets, or the couch to prepare their “den” for the night.
Curling Up for Security
Dogs also curl up in a ball to feel safe. We mentioned earlier that dogs only show their bellies when they are extremely comfortable. Conversely, they hide their tummy when they are not. This protects their most vital organs in the case of a threat or an attack by predators.
While your dog doesn’t face the threat of an actual predator, they may curl up because they are seeking psychological comfort. Consider dogs in shelters who don’t have a safe and secure home or who don’t know where they will be from one day to the next. These dogs can frequently be found curled up in the corner because it gives them a sense of security.
Curling Up for Comfort
In most cases, dogs curl up to sleep because it’s a comfortable position to sleep in. Even if they are doing so for warmth or security, they are really just getting comfortable. Even dogs who sleep in crates can find a nice corner to curl up in to get a good night’s rest. Giving your dog a soft surface to lie on helps them use their instincts to make a “den” and curl up in a comfy spot.
Other Dog Sleeping Positions
There is a meaning behind every position your dog sleeps in, so let’s look at what these other sleeping positions tell you about your dog.
The Lion Pose
If your dog likes to sleep on their belly with their head on their paws, it’s likely that they are just taking a rest rather than having a deep sleep.
Side Sleeping
Lying on their side with their legs extended shows that your dog is comfortable and relaxed. It also indicates a level of trust in their surroundings. Often dogs start out in the lion pose, then flop on their sides as they fall into a deeper sleep.
The Superman
Some dogs like to sleep on their belly with their legs splayed out. This is referred to as the “Superman pose.” Dogs usually sleep like this when they are able to lie on a cool surface. Since their belly isn’t as well insulated as the rest of their body, this serves to cool them off when they’re hot.
If you have wood floors and air conditioning, you might find your dog lies like this when they come in on a hot day. Large breeds don’t kick their back legs out as frequently as puppies and small breed dogs, so there may be physical limitations that prevent bigger dogs from doing so.
Back Sleepers
Dogs frequently sleep on their backs with their legs in the air to stay cool. If your dog likes to sleep on their back, it’s a sign that they trust you and feel safe in their surroundings. Dogs who feel any kind of threat present in their environment (whether real or perceived) won’t expose their belly while asleep.
Snuggling
If your dog likes to snuggle with you at night or nuzzle up next to other animals in the house, there’s a reason for it. This is often residual behaviour from when your dog was a puppy and learned that snuggling was the way to regulate body temperature. While your dog is grown and can now fully regulate their own temperature, they sometimes learn that snuggling also gives them comfort and safety, so they continue doing it.
Final Thoughts
Dogs curl up in a ball to sleep to stay warm and make themselves feel secure. Sometimes they do it just because it’s a comfortable position to sleep in. Dogs sleep in different positions depending on the temperature and how comfortable they are in their environment. Giving them a comfortable bed and blanket to cuddle up with can help them have the best quality sleep and stay comfortable.
How does your dog like to sleep? Tell us in the comments below, and feel free to share our article!
