Is curling while sleeping bad for my dog’s spine?

No, since this is a natural sleeping position for dogs. Canines used to live in the wild, where the elements and other animals can drastically affect their chances of survival. Curling up while sleeping helps dogs protect their bodies since they’re the most vulnerable.

Why do dogs curl up when sleeping?

It may look weird and uncomfortable to humans, but to dogs, curling up while sleeping is their best position.

Your dog’s ancestors used to live in the wild, and being able to curl up while sleeping has helped their species survive for millenniums. We’ll discuss here how this is so.

It protects their vital body parts

As you may have noticed, dogs look like shells that are fully covered up when sleeping in a curled-up position.

All their vital parts are safely hidden from other animals that would look at them as prey. Their throat, a major target for different predators, is also safely tucked inside when curling up.

“But my dog is no longer living in the wild!”

That may be true, but these survival instincts are ingrained in their DNA for thousands of years and naturally come out even if they’re under the safety of your home.

It keeps them warm

This is still connected to how your dog’s ancestors lived in the wild.

As part of their instincts for survival in the wild, canines also curl up to conserve heat. Through this, they can sleep through the night without succumbing to hypothermia.

Weather in the wild can get erratic, and being able to protect their species from the changes has helped dogs survive to this day.

It’s a comfortable position to sleep in

Our backs may beg to differ, but curling up is better for a canine’s spine and overall skeletal system.

It helps them distribute their weight equally when they’re relaxing or sleeping.

Since their joints do not carry their body’s weight, it helps them recover better after a few hours of hunting.

It saves them space

While your dog now has all the space they can get inside your home, this isn’t true for their ancestors. 

In the wild, canines must save space to huddle together when sleeping. Space where it’s safe to sleep is also limited outdoors, so cuddling and curling up is a no-brainer for canines.

This greatly improves their survival rate by protecting each other and regulating their temperature as a pack.

This is also a plus for owners with small homes. You don’t need to give each dog their own separate space if you have a few. After all, animals thrive better when they’re with their pack.