You are currently viewing Do Dogs Dream When They’re Sleeping? All Your Questions Answered
Image by Mira Gane on Pixabay

Do Dogs Dream When They’re Sleeping? All Your Questions Answered

If you’ve ever noticed your pup tossing and turning in their dog bed, it’s natural to wonder whether they’re dreaming. Scientists have found that most animals, and even some insects, have dreams regularly.  Dogs may also dream as well.

Just as humans do, dogs tend to go through several sleep cycles in the span of their sleep. Vivid dreams, the ones in which you see your sweet puppy tossing, turning, or panting for, tend to occur during REM sleep. 

Since dogs don’t know when they’re dreaming, it’s especially important to try and invest in a dog bed that’s going to keep them safe and cozy even when they’re chasing a rabbit in their subconscious. 

What Do Dogs Dream About? 

If dogs do dream, what exactly are they dreaming about? This is one of the most common questions people tend to have regarding when they find out dogs do, in fact, dream. Sleep experts agree that most dreams consist of our lived experiences, so your dogs are usually playing back different positive or negative memories. 

Many behaviors dogs might experience while dreaming are nothing to be alarmed about – this could include flicking of paws, twitching legs, whimpering, and even making other noises when they dream. However, if your dog’s movements in sleep are consistent and interrupting them from getting a full night’s sleep, it might be worth speaking to your vet. 

Can Dogs Have Nightmares? 

In the same way, humans can, dogs can also have nightmares if they’re overly stressed, anxious, or even, at points, for no real reason in particular. Remember those feelings of disorientation you experience as soon as you wake up from a bad dream? Dogs can have those too.

That’s why it’s especially important to let your dog wake up naturally, even if it’s apparent what they’re experiencing is a nightmare. Dogs who have woken abruptly in the middle of a nightmare can show aggressiveness towards their humans in their confusion, so it’s best to avoid this by letting them carry through their nightmare completely. 

Is My Dog Breed Just More Prone To Nightmares? 

Sleeping beagle
Image by Stuart Zintilis from Pixabay

No single breed of dog is more susceptible to nightmares than any other, but some reports have indicated that small dogs can have more frequent dreams than their bigger companions. Moreover, these dreams can be less lengthy, whereas the inverse is true for bigger dogs, which can have lengthier dreams of shorter duration. 

How Do I Make Sure I’m Buying A Comfy Dog Bed?  

Making the right choice when it comes to purchasing your dog bed, there are a couple of factors to take into consideration. For starters, you’re going to want to think about ease of maintenance and durability. This is just going to make your dog bed simpler when it comes to basic things like routine cleaning and allow you to feel better about investing in one in the first place. 

According to the National Sleep Foundation, dogs spend about half their lives sleeping. That’s why comfort can play a big role in making the right choice for your dog bed. Consider things like materials and fabrics when you’re deciding whether or not you’re making the right choice for your pup’s bed. 

A great dog bed should be made with materials you trust, as well as keep your pup cool and happy throughout the night. One of the ways you can make sure you’ve invested in a dog bed that’s comfortable for your pooch is by checking to see that they’re enjoying resting on it or if they’re struggling to accept it as their new space. 

Finding the right dog bed for your precious pup is going to go a long way in keeping their sleep as comfortable as possible. Here’s to dreams of chasing mice in open fields! 

Featured Image by Mira Gane on Pixabay