Watching pups rest throughout the day is adorable. We all love how our dog’s loud snore fills the room during an afternoon nap. As you enjoy your tired canines while they recharge, you might wonder, “Is my dog dreaming?” Today, we’ll answer that question and examine all the aspects of our dogs’ sleeping experiences. Let’s jump right in and find out if dogs can dream.
Does My Pup Dream?
The short answer is: YES! Your dog can dream. Similarly to us, dogs follow sleep patterns every time they catch z’s. While the human sleep cycle can last anywhere from 80-100 repeating minutes, experts suggest that dogs experience a much shorter sleep cycle, lasting about 20 minutes long.
According to the American Kennel Club, dogs take about 10 minutes to transition from the slow wave period to REM sleep. Each part of the sleep cycle presents differently, with slow waves resulting in slow breathing, a drop in blood pressure, and a slower heart rate. When transitioning into REM (Rapid Eye Movement), their eyes will roll behind their eyelids, and your dog may even experience involuntary moments. This portion of their sleep cycle is where their dreams will manifest!
Signs Your Canine is Dreaming:
- Closed eyes with quick eye moments
- Changes in breathing (more rapid, shallow, or irregular)
- Twitching muscles
- Small, frequent sound-making (whining or barking)
Check out an example of what your pup might look like while dreaming: Dreaming Dog Barking and Running in Her Sleep
If Fido Can Dream, Can He Have Nightmares?
It’s mostly agreed that dogs dream about daily occurrences and actual events they experience. While our dreams can mirror real life, humans also have the ability to dream pure fiction. There is no evidence to suggest our furry friends have the same ability, so there is no need to worry about your dog dreaming about the monster under their dog bed.
If your pup struggles with anxiety and stress, they may also experience unpleasant dreams that mirror those anxieties. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to comfort your pup if they’re experiencing a stressful dream.
- Avoid waking your pup. While it may feel instinctual to help your pup when you notice their discomfort, it’s essential to let them come out of any dream on their own. Waking him or her from a bad dream disrupts Fido’s sleep cycle and can result in poor sleep and restlessness.
- Soothe your dog in non-disruptive ways. While still managing to prioritize your canine’s sleep cycle, you can try to soothe them and ease their behavior while experiencing a nightmare. If you notice anxious sleeping behavior like extreme twitching or whining, offer your dog a few gentle pets to calm them down without waking them.
- Gently wake your furbaby. While waking your dog is not ideal, we understand that, as pet parents, we only want to protect our pups. If you wake your dog from a dream, do so calmly and gently. Waking a dog from sleep can be disorienting, especially if they are experiencing REM. Approach your dog with a calm voice and do your best to wake them from their dream slowly.
Influencing the Dreams of Dogs
As we noted, a dog’s dreams mirror their day-to-day experiences. If you want to help your dog avoid “nightmares,” there are ways you can influence a better sleep experience. By promoting calm behavior and environments throughout the day, your dog will likely mirror that in their dreams. Spending a lot of time with your pup, playing games, and exercising can help tucker out pets, allowing them to experience complete sleep cycles during naptime and bedtime.
Establishing a stable routine can also improve your dog’s sleeping patterns. When exercise, meal time, and potty breaks are curated and specific, your dog will know what to expect throughout the day, which can help create a calm environment. This results in better sleep for your doggie and less stress throughout the day, so your dog can enjoy stress-free dreams as well!
Now that you’ve got all the answers, you and your furry friend can enjoy a night full of dreams! Just remember to keep an eye on your pet and help them enjoy sleep to their fullest by promoting a calm environment. When Fido wakes up tomorrow morning, he’ll be glad you did!