It is estimated that dogs spend approximately half of their day or more in a state of rest or sleep.
Interestingly enough, these tranquil nap times are sometimes punctuated by periods when the pet appears to mimic their masters and start to ‘dream’. This can involve dogs beginning to breathe irregularly, moving their legs around and occasionally emitting an energetic growl all while supposedly fast asleep.
But what does this behavior mean and does it suggest that our canine companions really do dream?
The science suggests that “little is actually known about what is going on in dogs heads.” There appears to be a surprising similarity between the structure of human brains
and that of our furry companions—despite the size difference. A 2020 U.S. National Library of Medicine study reports similar cycles of electrical activity during sleep.
An earlier National Institute of Health report studying the electrical activity of dog brains discovered the animals spent on average 12 percent of every 24 hours in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. And dogs also spent 23 percent of their time in the deepest stage of non-REM sleep, called slow-wave sleep. Humans dream in both REM and non-REM sleep, but the dreams that most people experience occur during the REM stage, when the adventures of the unconscious are at their most vivid and surreal.
What do dogs dream about?
Veterinary experts believe that it is impossible to say for certain what is occurring in a canine’s minds while they slumber, but it is believed that dogs probably dream about everyday occurrences and interactions, whether it is with animals or people. In people, most dreams happen during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and it is probably the same for dogs. We can guess that dogs dream about things that happen in their everyday life; about interactions with people, going for walks, playing ball, etc.
The similarity of dogs’ brains to humans means the content of their dreams are likely similar to ours. As a result, scientists are relatively confident that animals from rats and cats to dogs are capable of enjoying quite complex dreams, and they can remember and replay long sequences of events in their minds while asleep. This can involve anything from a time spent joyfully chasing squirrels to meeting one of their canine friends in the local park.
Do dogs have nightmares?
Pet parents often enjoy watching their dog apparently happily dreaming, with a wagging tail and moving paws, however, just as human dreams are sometimes unpleasant experiences, it is not unreasonable to infer dogs can also have nightmares.
While doggy nightmares can be hard to watch, experts suggest that owners should always refrain from the temptation to wake their dog up. We don’t know what is exactly going on when dogs sleep. They may wake up startled, which can be scary for them, and they may need a little time to realize that what they were experiencing is gone now that they are awake. (Not so different from a young child waking up after a nightmare.)
A few reassuring words from you might help minimize the startle and let them know that everything is okay. Happy dreaming for everyone!