Do Dogs Dream? A Look Into The Inner Lives of Our Furry Friends

We have all seen our dogs twitching, pawing, and making those silly little noises in their sleep. It makes you wonder - are they dreaming like we do? While we may never know for certain what goes on in a dog's mind during their resting time, research indeed suggests that our furry friends experience a dream world. 

How Dogs Dream:

Studies on animals have identified signatures of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the same sleep stage when most vivid dreaming occurs in humans. This stage of sleep is characterized by similar movements in humans: fast movements of the eyes, inability to be awoken, and higher brain activity levels. The pons, a part of the brain stem, is involved in regulating REM sleep and preventing any large muscle movements during this stage. Puppies and older dogs tend to move a bit more during their sleep due to underdeveloped or less efficient pons. 

What Are Dogs Dreaming About?  

Based on what we know about how exactly human memories form during awake states, it is likely that dogs dream about their daily experiences, just as humans do! Since a pup’s daily experiences look quite different dog to dog, there is a wide range of dog dreams. These could range from running around in the yard, playing fetch, chasing after a squirrel or simply cuddling with their owners. According to experts from VCA Animal Hospitals, smaller dogs typically dream more than larger dogs do, but the frequency of their dreams is much shorter. For example, a small dog’s dreams may only last a minute, but a larger dog's dreams may last up to 5-10 minutes.  

Do Dogs Have Nightmares?  

Unfortunately, dogs do have nightmares while they are sleeping, just as humans do. Oftentimes when dogs whimper, growl, or kick their legs while they are sleeping it is an indication of a nightmare. A doggy nightmare typically involves events related to past traumatic events or things that trigger their anxiety, like thunderstorms or loud noises. Many health experts do not advise that you wake your dog up during these nightmares but gently soothe them to help them exit the nightmare and feel relaxed. 

So, while we can never fully understand a dog's inner world of dreams, their mind is continually active while snoozing. The next time you see your pup twitching in their sleep, you can smile knowing they are dreaming about fun adventures, even if they cannot tell you about it later! 

“Do Dogs Dream?: VCA Animal Hospital: VCA Animal Hospitals.” Vca, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/do-dogs dream#:~:text=Dreams%20usually%20begin%20for%20the,chasing% 20rabbits%20in%20their %20sleep%E2%80%9D

“What Do Dogs Dream About?” American Kennel Club, www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/what-do-dogs-dream about/#:~:text=The%20pons%20is%20the %20part,dreams%20and%20waking%20you%20up