SPORTING ANSWERS
Is back sleeping a problem?
VETERINARY CARE
Q Our dog has started to sleep on his back. Is there any obvious reason for him to do so and should we be concerned?
A Dogs are likely to sleep on their backs for a variety of reasons and it is not necessarily anything to be concerned about. Indeed, back sleeping can be quite normal for many dogs.
Back sleeping allows your dog to completely relax his muscles. In this position, there is no extra tension or pressure on his muscles and joints. If he is an ageing dog that has started sleeping on his back, it would be worth checking if he has arthritis, as this pose relieves pressure on arthritic joints.
When your dog sleeps on his back, he is telling you that he is completely safe and secure in his surroundings. The vital abdominal organs are not protected like those in the chest, so laying on the back can be a vulnerable position. The position is also a submissive posture, so dogs will roll on their back in social situations to show that they aren’t a threat.
Another thing to
