Is My Dog Dreaming?

Have you ever watched your sleeping companion and wondered if they are dreaming?

Do Dogs Dream?

Yes! Researchers have found that animals have the same kind of sleeping behaviors we do. The research compared working brain activity to sleeping brain activity and found that the working activity reappeared during sleep. This allowed them to conclude that animals do dream!

What Do Dogs Dream About?

Doggy dreams mainly consist of their daily activities. This could include playing outside, barking at the mailman, or chasing a squirrel. However, different breeds may have different dreams. For example, your border collie may dream of chasing cats while your golden retriever may dream about, you know, fetching things. Small whimpering, moving their legs, and making facial expressions may be an indication that your furry friend is dreaming.

Additionally, dogs often dream about past experiences and even future ones. These can often include you, their owner! While there is no research to prove this, dogs are social animals. So, it makes sense for them to dream about familiar people that they love.

What About Nightmares?

Just like dreams, dogs can have nightmares too. And, we know that animal dreams are fueled by their memories. So, a shelter dog may dream about the trauma of their past. If your pal is having a nightmare, they may whimper, cry, bark, growl, or shake. If they seem upset, check on them!

What Are Normal Sleeping Behaviors?

It is normal for your pal to circle before laying down, sleep a lot, sleep in your bed, and even sleep belly up if they are very comfortable with their surroundings! Additionally, twitches, licking paws, and small sounds are normal for your pal as they fall asleep. However, being restless, rapid breathing, shaking, or seizing is not normal sleeping behavior.

Now that you know that your companion does dream, you can have some fun wondering what part of their day they are dreaming about!