Do dogs dream

Having comfortably settled down on the sofa in the evening, your beloved four-legged friend sniffs peacefully. Then his nose begins to twitch, his paws make rhythmic movements, and he himself barks softly. All this is similar to the fact that the dog is in a land of dreams. But do dogs dream, and what kind?

Pet owners and scientists have been scratching their heads over this for years. What does science say?

What dreams do dogs see

By studying how the dog’s brain works and comparing it to how the human brain works, the scientists were able to draw some interesting conclusions.

According to Psychology Today, the physical structure of a dog’s brain is similar to ours. While a dog sleeps, its brain waves exhibit activity similar to that of a human, confirming the possibility of dreams.

How to understand that a dog is dreaming

There are several clear signs of a dog’s transition from restful sleep to active dreaming. 

Approximately 20 minutes after the dog naps, his breathing changes from normal deep to shallow uneven. You may even notice eye movements, tail wagging, and occasional muscle twitches.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) says that the frequency of dreams in a dog is determined by its size and age. Small dogs dream at night more often than large ones. In terms of age, older animals and puppies dream more often than middle-aged dogs.

What do dogs dream about

As a rule, dogs dream about what they are doing while awake. This may be chasing a bird while hunting or growling at a stranger at the front door. 

Now it’s clear why representatives of hunting breeds can “stand up” or run in their sleep, and a dog with a highly developed possessive instinct can make muffled barks when dreaming about how it defends its territory.

The American Kennel Club believes that the best thing to do is to simply allow your dog to watch his dreams in peace. If you wake her up, she can get scared and, confused between dream and reality, inadvertently growl or even bite the owner.

Do dogs have nightmares

According to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, dogs can indeed have bad dreams. This is because in animals, as in humans, dreams are a tool for processing experiences and emotions, including distressing ones. Such dreams can cause the dog to scream or yelp. If this happens, don’t wake her up. You can say a few words of encouragement to her, call her by name or gently pat her on the back so that she knows that she is not alone in this difficult dream.

If the dog makes uncharacteristic squeals, screams, or spasms throughout the body, which may indicate a seizure, you should immediately seek help from a veterinarian.

Do dogs dream? Brain science definitely answers this question in the affirmative. So the next time the dog goes to dreamland, don’t worry: he just dreams about the next ball he chases, or about a new adventure that awaits him with his owner very soon.