Yes, dogs very likely dream. Like us, they have REM sleep, and the short twitches, paddling paws and soft whimpers you see are normal signs of it. A dog that’s dreaming wakes up easily; a dog having a seizure doesn’t.
This Mundo Mascotita guide on dog dreaming explains what science knows about sleep in dogs, the famous rat study that “replayed” a maze during sleep, what dogs probably dream about and how to tell normal twitching from a seizure.
Dogs have REM sleep too
Sleep comes in stages. One of them is REM sleep, short for rapid eye movement. In people, REM is the stage most linked to vivid dreams. The brain becomes very active while most of the body’s muscles stay relaxed.
Dogs go through the same kind of cycles. According to the American Kennel Club, REM sleep often starts about 20 minutes into a nap and can last a few minutes. That’s when you may notice:
- Eyes moving under the eyelids.
- Small twitches of the paws, lips, ears or tail.
- Paddling legs, as if running.
- Quiet whimpers, muffled barks or soft growls.
These movements are usually brief and come and go. Puppies and older dogs often seem to twitch more in their sleep.
The rat study that replayed a maze
We can’t ask a dog what it dreamed about. But research in other mammals gives a strong clue.
In 2001, neuroscientists Kenway Louie and Matthew Wilson at MIT recorded the activity of many neurons at once in the hippocampus of rats, a brain area involved in memory and navigation. First they recorded the rats while they ran on a track. Then they recorded them while they slept.
During REM sleep, the same patterns of neuron activity that appeared while the rats were running showed up again, in the same order and at a similar speed. In other words, the rats’ brains seemed to be replaying the run during sleep. The study was published in the journal Neuron.
Dogs have the same brain structures, and a much more complex daily life than a lab rat. So it’s reasonable to think that dogs also replay parts of their day while they sleep.
What dogs probably dream about
No one knows for sure, but the best guess is: their own life. The walk, the park, chasing a ball, sniffing the neighbor’s fence, their favorite people. When a sleeping dog paddles its legs or gives a muffled bark, it may be “running” or “chasing” in a dream.
Dogs probably also process unpleasant experiences, which may explain the occasional whimper or growl. Most of the time, though, a dreaming dog looks relaxed between twitches.
Twitching vs seizure: how to tell
Most sleep twitching is normal. But seizures can sometimes happen during sleep or right after waking, so it’s worth knowing the difference. The AKC lists several clues:
| Dreaming | Possible seizure |
|---|---|
| Short, irregular twitches that come and go | Stiff, rigid or violent movements that keep going |
| Wakes up easily when you say its name | Doesn’t respond and can’t be woken |
| Normal and alert right after waking | Confused, wobbly, drooling or panting afterwards |
| No loss of bladder or bowel control | May urinate or defecate during the episode |
If you think your dog may be having a seizure, don’t put your hand near its mouth. Move objects away so it can’t hurt itself, time the episode and, if you can, record a video for your vet. Call your veterinarian, and treat it as an emergency if a seizure lasts more than a few minutes or seizures come one after another.
Should you wake a dreaming dog?
Usually, no. Dreaming is part of healthy sleep. The AKC advises letting a dreaming dog sleep, because a sudden wake-up can startle it, and a startled dog may snap without meaning to.
If your dog seems distressed and you want to wake it, call its name softly from a distance instead of touching it. Teach children the same rule: let sleeping dogs lie.
A good sleep routine helps too. Adult dogs sleep many hours a day, and a quiet, comfortable bed away from foot traffic helps them get the deep, restful sleep they need.
FAQ
Do dogs dream?
Very likely, yes. Dogs have REM sleep, the stage linked to dreaming in people, and they show the same signs: eye movements, twitches and small sounds. Studies in other mammals show the brain replays daytime experiences during this stage.
What do dogs dream about?
Probably about their daily life: walks, play, smells and the people they love. Research in rats found the brain replaying a recent run during REM sleep, which suggests dogs may replay their day as well.
Why does my dog twitch in its sleep?
Brief twitches, paddling paws and soft whimpers are normal during REM sleep. The brain is very active while most muscles are relaxed, so small movements slip through. It’s usually nothing to worry about.
How do I know if my dog is having a seizure in its sleep?
A seizure usually involves stiff or violent movements, the dog can’t be woken, and afterwards it may be confused, drooling or wobbly, sometimes with loss of bladder control. A dreaming dog wakes easily and is alert. Call your vet if you suspect a seizure.
Is it bad to wake a dreaming dog?
It’s better not to. Dreams are part of normal sleep, and a dog woken suddenly may be startled and snap. If you need to wake it, call its name gently from a distance instead of touching it.
This article is for information only and doesn’t replace a visit to your veterinarian. If your dog shakes while it’s awake, our guide on dog trembling (in Spanish) explains the causes and when to worry.
Sources
- Louie, K. & Wilson, M. A. (2001). Temporally structured replay of awake hippocampal ensemble activity during rapid eye movement sleep. Neuron, 29(1), 145–156. PDF.
- American Kennel Club. Do Dogs Dream?
- American Kennel Club. Is My Dog Dreaming or Having a Seizure? How to Tell the Difference.
