There’s entire library wings filled with suggestions on how much sleep humans need, but what about dogs? How much sleep do they need?

And what enhances their sleep? Since they can’t tell us, we only have observation of typical dogs going about their daily snoozes around the home.

Most experts have noted that dogs need about 12 hours a day, with slight variations depending on breed and age. Of course, they don’t need it all in one single stretch. As you’ve probably noticed, your dog will nap on and off throughout the day, moving from their pet bed to a pet mat to a favorite carpet. You’ll also notice that your dog is prone to sleep lightly during the day, waking up at the sound of a doorbell, a car horn and your own steps, especially if it sounds like you’re leaving.

Now, it is possible that your dog may sleep more or less than 12 hours. Apartment dogs tend to sleep more—up to 14 hours—because they have less opportunity to really run around and stay active. Active or working dogs might go with as little as 7 hours.

If your dog seems tired and is moving from spot to spot a lot, it may be telling you that it needs more comfortable sleep areas. Try placing pet mats around the home in rooms where you spend the most time and in corners and nooks that are calm and quiet. You may find that one spot in particular becomes a favorite thanks to the right combination of comfy mat and cozy location. If you plan on traveling with your pet, take your dog’s favorite pet mat with you to help them sleep well on the road too.

It’s a good idea to know how much sleep your dog needs to stay happy and health. Sudden changes in sleep habits can indicate health issues. You also want to make sure that between naps, your dog does get enough exercise. All sleep and no play can lead to added puppy pounds.