- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
We’ve seen it before: our dogs catching some Zzz’s, followed shortly after by adorable noises, twitches, and moves in their sleep. We might think of these behaviors as “puppy dreams.” But do dogs actually dream? Yes, they do! Dog dreams are completely normal but may differ from how humans understand dreams.
Becky Simmonds, a professional dog trainer and behaviorist at Breed Advisor, says that dogs dream and go through REM sleep when dreams occur. However, she explains that differences in a dog’s brain structure suggest they don’t experience visual imagery like we do while asleep. They fall into a very deep sleep, but there is no evidence to suggest they see themselves in their dreams as we do.
Dreams can reflect your dog’s daily experiences, like playing fetch and running. However, they can also point to emotional, physical, or psychological distress if they’re nightmares. Additionally, some disorders can lead to excessive movement or activity during your dog’s dreams. We spoke with veterinarians to learn more about dog dreams and nightmares, sleep disorders in dogs, and how you can create a comfortable experience for your sleepy pooch.
4 Signs Your Dog Is Dreaming
Like humans, dogs experience rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Although seeing your dog twitch in their sleep can be a bit puzzling and even startling at first sight, this behavior can suggest certain activities like running, chasing, or playing.
Simmonds explains there are hallmark signs of dog dreaming, including the following:
- Twitching: Your dog’s involuntary twitches are completely everyday occurrences and are known as hypnic jerks.
- Quivering: This is another typical sign of dog dreaming. It is an involuntary spasm that looks like your dog is acting out its dreams.
- Snoring or disrupted breathing: In a survey, 13.5% of pet parents claimed their dog snored or stopped breathing while dreaming.
- Murmuring, barking, or howling: Some pet parents say their dogs chase rabbits in their dreams when they hear them bark or howl. Although what they’re dreaming about is mostly a mystery, these vocalizations are normal.
- Horizontal sleepwalking or running: Your dog may move their paws back and forth as if they’re on a walk or run with you. Unlike human sleepwalking, dogs do not get up and walk around while they are asleep.
Pet parents who say their pups “dream a lot” have observed these signs in their dogs. Even though the survey only covered 1,000 pet parents, it shows that almost 30% of pet parents have observed dreaming behaviors in dogs.
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What Do Dogs and Puppies Dream About?
Unlimited delicious treats? Mountains of dog toys? A soon-to-be play date at the dog park?
There’s no evidence dogs can “imagine” things, so dogs may dream from memory. “Research shows that dogs display similar movements in dreams as they do in real life,” Simmonds says. “For example, if they love to play fetch while awake, they may show facial twitches and leg kicks during REM sleep.” These familiar movements that happen when dogs sleep are why experts believe dogs and puppies may dream about their daily activities.
Do dogs dream about their owners?
Since our pups draw from their past experiences for their dreams, Simmonds says it’s possible that dogs dream about their owners. We often play the biggest role in our dogs’ daily lives, so it makes sense that they would dream of us and our time together, playing fetch with them and giving them their favorite treats. Still, Simmonds points out that more studies need to be conducted to confirm whether we’re a part of our dogs’ dreams. “Much more research is needed for us to fully understand this, but we can hope!” she says.
What do dogs dream about when they cry?
Though hearing your dog whimper, cry, or bark in their sleep can be alarming, these noises are often normal. Again, your pup is likely recounting certain activities that occurred during the day (like when he protected the house from the scary delivery person). Unless your pup appears distressed or acts oddly once awake, there’s usually no cause for concern when your dog cries while dreaming.
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Can Dreams Differ Between Dog Breeds?
Simmonds says, interestingly enough, smaller dog breeds are prone to more bursts of brain activity while they sleep than larger breeds, suggesting they dream more often and more intensely.
“According to research from veterinary behaviorists, REM cycles can be observed in all dogs regardless of size, but smaller dogs may experience them more frequently,” she explains. “It’s thought that puppies may even experience two or three distinct REM cycles per night compared to the one experienced by adult dogs.”
The frequency and length of dreams may not only depend on size, she says, but also on how active the dog has been. For example, if a dog has been highly active throughout the day, they may have longer dreams since they’ll enter deep sleep for longer.
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Can Dogs Have Nightmares?
Dogs can have nightmares just like humans do. Again, the causes are unclear; just as in humans, memories of trauma (such as in rescue dogs) or physical pain may trigger nightmares.
There are several potential causes behind why a dog might begin having bad dreams. Many can be traced back to their health and stress. One condition that may bring on sudden nightmares is cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). CDS is a common, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects dogs, typically nine years old and older. This can cause behavioral changes in dogs, similar to how Alzheimer’s disease does humans.
Although there’s no cure for CDS at the moment, several treatments available can help. Patrik Holboe, DVM, head veterinarian at Cooper Pet Care, says other cognitive or physical issues that may drive nightmares include:
When in doubt, consult your vet to determine the underlying cause behind your dog’s nightmares.
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Is It OK to Wake a Sleeping Dog?
Reading your dog’s body language and sounds are essential, including while they’re asleep. Nightmares can be an unpleasant experience, and it can be tricky as a pet parent deciding whether or not to wake your dog.
You should wake your dog if they’re gently whining, distressed, or suddenly biting or startled. If you decide to wake your dog, Holmboe recommends doing so as calmly as possible by softly calling their name or placing a tasty treat in front of their nose.
Let your dog keep sleeping if…
Leave your dog alone if they are showing signs of aggression in their sleep, such as:
- Raised hackles
- Bared teeth
- Growling
“If the nightmare is particularly intense, do be a bit careful about touching your dog, especially around the mouth, as they might wake in a panic and even bite,” Holmboe says. In general, it’s best not to disturb your dog when they are sleeping. With nightmares, let the nightmare pass and provide comfort when they wake up.
What Sleep Disorders Can Dogs Have?
If your dog has trouble sleeping or has nightmares more frequently, they may have a sleep disorder. Dogs may experience the following sleep disorders:
- REM sleep behavior disorder. This disorder can cause violent limb movements, howling, barking, chewing, or biting when sleeping both during the daytime and nighttime. This sleep disorder can be treated with oral potassium bromide.
- Narcolepsy. Narcolepsy in dogs happens due to a deficit in hypocretin and orexin neurotransmission and can sporadically affect up to 17 breeds of dogs, such as Dobermans, Labrador Retrievers, and Dachshunds. Symptoms of narcolepsy include shorter sleep and sudden muscle loss and control. Narcolepsy requires lifelong treatment and care and can be treated with imipramine.
- Obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an uncommon sleep disorder that affects dogs more prone to pharyngeal collapse (i.e., English bulldogs) and obesity. Signs of OSA may include apnea (i.e., breathing stops and restarts), snoring, and excessive sleepiness. Treatment consists of a weight loss plan and ondansetron or other serotonin antagonists.
Consult your vet if your dog shows any signs of sleep disorders; some may be life-threatening if left untreated.
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How To Improve Your Dog’s Sleep
Holmboe shares a few tips to make sleeping most comfortable for your dog:
- Keep the bed comfortable in a dark and quiet environment
- Provide a soft, properly sized bed that your dog can ideally stretch out on
- Place their favorite toys and chew items nearby
- Establish a bedtime routine to help their feel safe
- Make sure your dog gets enough sleep for their age
Although it’s hard to tell if a cozy environment affects a dog’s dreams and reduces the risk of nightmares, it certainly can’t hurt.
However, Holmboe adds that there’s no question a dog who feels safe and comfortable at all times of the day will likely have a higher quality of life and a stronger bond with their pet parent. Well-rested dogs are also calmer, more relaxed, and more comfortable throughout the day.
