If you’ve ever watched your dog sleep, you’ve probably seen their paws paddle, their whiskers twitch or heard soft woofs and whimpers. It certainly looks like they’re dreaming. So, do dogs dream? Scientists believe they do. Here’s what we know about dog dreams, what your dog might be dreaming about and how to tell a dream from something more serious.
Like people, dogs go through different stages of sleep, including REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. REM sleep is when most vivid dreaming happens in people. During REM sleep, dogs show:
Research on animal brains suggests that during sleep, animals may replay experiences from their day. Studies in rats found that their brain activity during sleep matched the patterns seen when they ran mazes while awake. Many scientists believe dogs do something similar.
We can’t ask them, but dogs likely dream about everyday experiences, such as:
Some experts suggest that small dogs may have more frequent, shorter dreams, while large dogs may have fewer, longer dreams. Puppies and senior dogs may also dream more.
Dogs may have unpleasant dreams. Signs include growling, whimpering or seeming upset in their sleep. It’s usually best not to wake them suddenly.
Generally, no. A dog woken suddenly from a deep sleep may be startled and could snap without meaning to. If you need to wake your dog, call their name softly from a distance.
Sometimes pet parents worry that twitching in sleep is a seizure. Here are some differences:
If you think your dog had a seizure, try to record a video and call your vet. Get emergency care if a seizure lasts more than a few minutes or several happen in a row. Our guide to pet emergency signs explains other urgent symptoms.
Our articles on puppy crying at night and your senior dog slowing down have tips for different life stages.
Many experts think so, since dogs likely dream about their daily lives.
Yes. Soft barks and whimpers are common during dreams.
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