Given that your average Dog will sleep considerably longer than people every day, it may seem quite logical that they dream. This is particularly true when you see your Dog twitch, yip, or otherwise give the appearance that they are in a dream state.
Although Dogs along with most dogs sleep considerably longer than humans. In fact, the average time of sleep is roughly fourteen hours which is nearly double the average or recommended amount for people. The actual structure or how sleep unfolds is remarkably similar.
There is the drowsiness followed by the light sleep which is common at first. As the sleep cycle progresses, it becomes deeper until it reaches a point where the conditions appear to indicate a dream is taking place.
Of course, the indications are based on how people dream. Which means that we may be misinterpreting what is happening because it is being compared to our own state of dreaming. The old adage “correlation does not mean causation” applies as we cannot determine the actual cause, only that something is happening with your Dog that is similar to what happens to people.
But does a Dog actually dream? The answer to that question appears to be yes.
Signs of a Dreaming Dog
Sleep may be one of the last great mysteries to be solved both for humans and for dogs. The need for sleep and the reasons for dreaming remain mostly hidden despite the research.
Of course, until we can see inside the head of a Dog, the evidence that they are dreaming comes from observation. It is true that the sleep structure of dogs is quite similar to humans. This includes Rapid Eye Movement (REM) which is the time during the sleep cycle when dreaming happens. Both humans and Dogs experience an elevated level of activity in the brain.
Plus, dogs and humans share another element of the sleep cycle known as Pons Varolli. This is the state in which the muscles in the body become paralyzed to prevent the physical acting out of the dreams. Since dogs, including Dogs have Pons Varolli, it is safe to say that there must be a good reason for this disconnect.
If we assume that your Dog does dream, then what does he or she dream about?
Dream State
Although the exact images and experiences that your Dog has while dreaming may never be known, it if is the same structure as humans, then just like us they are dreaming about their experiences.
As humans dream, the brain pulls images and experiences from the past or things that we have thought about and flashes them during a dream. The brain will then stitch these different experiences into a story so that it makes more sense. The same may very well be true of your Dog.
An encounter with the mailman, chasing after another dog, or just being with you may be the subject of their dreams. As with people, the dream may seem real to the dog until they wake up. Plus, the dream may also seem disjointed and quickly fades from the memory after waking up.
So, if you see your Dog twitching its leg, are they in a dream state? The answer is probably yes, but there may be other reasons as well. Consider that people move around in their sleep even when not in a REM state. The same is true for dogs who move about as well. The movement is generally rolling from one side to another as they are finding a comfortable spot. However, the leg twitching, groaning, and especially running motion probably indicates that they are in a dream state.
But what if the motion is unusual in nature, should you be concerned?
Causes for Concern
For the most part, there is no cause for concern when your Dog is dreaming. Even when they are “sleep running” which can be fun to watch. It’s only when your dog acts different such as moving far more than expected or seeming to have a seizure should you be concerned. At the very least, you can call your vet and describe what you see.
A bigger concern may be a lack of sleep for your Dog. If your dog has trouble falling or staying asleep, this may be an indication of something being wrong. This is particularly true if you notice a change in their behavior, a lack of interest in food, or being in a drowsy state for long periods. If you see such signs, be sure to call your vet.
But if you see your Dog dreaming, is it okay to wake them up if you think they are experiencing a nightmare?
Waking Up Your Dog
For the most part, it’s okay to wake your Dog when they are in a dream state as it does not cause any harm. Although they may be a bit startled, there is no reason to believe that they will suffer any harm or injury as a result.
However, just like when we are enjoying a dream, they may not like the fact that what they were experiencing was not real. However, the memory will quickly fade just like when humans are wakened from a dream state. Another mystery that is related to dreaming is how your Dog interprets what has just happened.
In other words, while dogs and humans are similar, how each species perceives the world is considerably different. While dreams have been well documented for people, understanding how your Dog views the dream may be something entirely different. The truth is that no one really knows except your Dog and they are not telling us, at least not in a way that we can perceive.
So, let them dream, even if they are seeming to have a nightmare. It’s okay to comfort them after they wake up, but just like humans it is best to let them enjoy their dream.
