Why Do Dogs Like Sleeping Together?

Is there anything cuter than a pile of sleeping puppies? We didn’t think so. Young puppies don’t sleep in a heap just because they know humans find it adorable, though—it just makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint. Dogs are pack animals, and being so close to their littermates makes them feel warm and safe. Even when they get older, dog “siblings” often like to sleep curled up against each other for comfort and security.

Elevated Dog Beds are Great for Sharing

Beds Built for Sharing

Sadly, not all manufacturers of cot-style dog beds bother to take group naps into account. Too many beds’ flimsy frames buckle and break under the weight of an additional furry friend. At Kuranda we fully support sharing, so we build our beds to be much stronger than the weight used in the description might suggest. For example, when we recommend large beds for dogs in the 60-65 lb range, we mean that boxers, retrievers, and other dogs of a similar size are generally comfortable on a large bed. We don’t mean that the bed will collapse if you happen to have two retrievers and they want to snuggle!

Three Labs Share a Kuranda Dog Bed

Multi-Dog Households

In households with multiple dogs, sleeping habits will naturally depend on the house rules and the dogs’ personalities. For instance, an alpha dog may claim first pick of the available sleeping spots. In a two-dog house, one dog may be a couch potato while the other prefers to nap by that refreshing draft under the door. Whatever works!

Dogs on Human Beds

The suggestion that dogs like to sleep near their fellow pack members inevitably leads to the controversy over dogs being allowed on human beds. The answer to should your dog be allowed on your bed (or on any piece of furniture) is, of course, entirely up to you.

It's worth noting, though, that not all dogs love sleeping on soft human beds, snuggled against their favorite people. Many dogs will cuddle for a few minutes but then jump off, preferring to spend the night on their own bed nearby. This is often because the blanket-covered human bed is too hot for them. Pillow dog beds tend to have the same heat-trapping effect, which is one reason that elevated beds are so much better.

Elevated Dog Beds are great for keeping dogs cool

Conclusion

Whether your dogs are committed snugglers or prefer to sleep in opposite corners, there is no wrong way to manage canine sleeping arrangements – as long as everyone is happy and safe. If your dogs fight over sleeping areas, consult a qualified dog trainer for advice.