diff --git a/lib/devise.rb b/lib/devise.rb
index 8e0c85e77d..10e0524989 100644
--- a/lib/devise.rb
+++ b/lib/devise.rb
@@ -152,6 +152,13 @@ module Test
   mattr_accessor :timeout_in
   @@timeout_in = 30.minutes
 
+  # Minimum interval between session writes when using :timeoutable. When set,
+  # last_request_at is only updated if more than this interval has elapsed since
+  # the last write, reducing database writes on busy applications. Defaults to
+  # nil (write on every request, preserving original behaviour).
+  mattr_accessor :last_request_at_update_interval
+  @@last_request_at_update_interval = nil
+
   # Used to hash the password. Please generate one with rails secret.
   mattr_accessor :pepper
   @@pepper = nil
diff --git a/lib/devise/hooks/timeoutable.rb b/lib/devise/hooks/timeoutable.rb
index f1e7f6d577..0141c47734 100644
--- a/lib/devise/hooks/timeoutable.rb
+++ b/lib/devise/hooks/timeoutable.rb
@@ -29,7 +29,10 @@
     end
 
     unless env['devise.skip_trackable']
-      warden.session(scope)['last_request_at'] = Time.now.utc.to_i
+      interval = record.last_request_at_update_interval
+      if interval.nil? || last_request_at.nil? || (Time.now.utc - last_request_at) >= interval
+        warden.session(scope)['last_request_at'] = Time.now.utc.to_i
+      end
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/lib/devise/models/timeoutable.rb b/lib/devise/models/timeoutable.rb
index 1d3ce2ae97..55b0ef5c25 100644
--- a/lib/devise/models/timeoutable.rb
+++ b/lib/devise/models/timeoutable.rb
@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ module Models
     # Timeoutable adds the following options to +devise+:
     #
     #   * +timeout_in+: the interval to timeout the user session without activity.
+    #   * +last_request_at_update_interval+: the minimum time that must pass before
+    #     last_request_at is written to the session again. Reduces database writes
+    #     on busy apps. Defaults to nil (write on every request).
     #
     # == Examples
     #
@@ -35,10 +38,14 @@ def timeout_in
         self.class.timeout_in
       end
 
+      def last_request_at_update_interval
+        self.class.last_request_at_update_interval
+      end
+
       private
 
       module ClassMethods
-        Devise::Models.config(self, :timeout_in)
+        Devise::Models.config(self, :timeout_in, :last_request_at_update_interval)
       end
     end
   end
diff --git a/lib/generators/templates/devise.rb b/lib/generators/templates/devise.rb
index b36f281f25..639eb220f2 100644
--- a/lib/generators/templates/devise.rb
+++ b/lib/generators/templates/devise.rb
@@ -193,6 +193,14 @@
   # time the user will be asked for credentials again. Default is 30 minutes.
   # config.timeout_in = 30.minutes
 
+  # Minimum interval between session writes for :timeoutable. When set,
+  # last_request_at is only updated if this much time has elapsed since the
+  # last write. Useful for reducing database writes on high-traffic apps (e.g.
+  # when using Devise::Timeoutable with a database-backed session store).
+  # Must be less than timeout_in to avoid premature session expiry.
+  # Default is nil (write on every request).
+  # config.last_request_at_update_interval = 1.minute
+
   # ==> Configuration for :lockable
   # Defines which strategy will be used to lock an account.
   # :failed_attempts = Locks an account after a number of failed attempts to sign in.
diff --git a/test/integration/timeoutable_test.rb b/test/integration/timeoutable_test.rb
index 670ddbbe87..03c84e3521 100644
--- a/test/integration/timeoutable_test.rb
+++ b/test/integration/timeoutable_test.rb
@@ -208,6 +208,44 @@ def last_request_at
     assert warden.authenticated?(:user)
   end
 
+  test 'does not update last_request_at within the last_request_at_update_interval' do
+    swap Devise, last_request_at_update_interval: 5.minutes do
+      sign_in_as_user
+      first_request_at = last_request_at
+      assert_not_nil first_request_at
+
+      get users_path
+      assert_equal first_request_at, last_request_at
+    end
+  end
+
+  test 'updates last_request_at after the last_request_at_update_interval has elapsed' do
+    swap Devise, last_request_at_update_interval: 5.minutes do
+      sign_in_as_user
+      first_request_at = last_request_at
+      assert_not_nil first_request_at
+
+      new_time = 6.minutes.from_now
+      Time.stubs(:now).returns(new_time)
+
+      get users_path
+      assert_not_equal first_request_at, last_request_at
+    end
+  end
+
+  test 'last_request_at_update_interval defaults to nil and writes on every request' do
+    assert_nil Devise.last_request_at_update_interval
+
+    sign_in_as_user
+    first_request_at = last_request_at
+
+    new_time = 10.seconds.from_now
+    Time.stubs(:now).returns(new_time)
+
+    get users_path
+    assert_not_equal first_request_at, last_request_at
+  end
+
   test 'does not crash when the last_request_at is a String' do
     user = sign_in_as_user