Do dogs have nightmares? What to know about your pet’s dreams.
Here are some signs your dog might be having a nightmare and why you shouldn’t wake them up.
Turns out bad dreams are not just a nuisance for humans, our furry friends can experience them as well. Though the sleeping patterns of man’s best friend differ in some ways from our own, there are striking similarities, including our ability to get frightened in the night.
But dogs don’t likely dream about showing up to school naked or losing all of their teeth. Those are uniquely human fears. So, what populates their dream world?
Here’s what to know about a dog’s nightmares, what to do if your dog has a nightmare and what they might be dreaming about
Do dogs have nightmares?
The American Kennel Club reports that dogs can have nightmares as well as other kinds of dreams.
Small dogs dream more often than larger dogs, AKC explained, their dreams last for a shorter amount of time.
How much should dogs sleep?: Here’s when to worry, from a veterinarian
Do dogs dream?
Yes. AKC reports that the sleep patterns of your pup aren’t that different from your own.
Dogs experience both slow-wave sleep, or SWS, and rapid eye movement sleep, or REM. Dogs spend about 10% of their total sleep in the dreaming or REM phase.
How do you know when a dog is having a nightmare?
Indications that your pup is having a nightmare include:
GrowlingCryingSnarling Loud barkingShakingTwitching
What causes nightmares in dogs?
Dogs are not able to dream up scary monsters the way we are AKC reports, so if your dog is having a nightmare, they are most likely recalling a traumatic experience.
Dog walking company Wag! reports that dogs who have experienced more trauma in the past, are more likely to have nightmares.
If your dog is suffering often from nightmares, trying to make their sleeping space more relaxed and safe can help.
Should you wake dogs up from nightmares?
What to do if your dog is having a nightmare – resist the urge to wake them.
AKC reports that your pup might lash out if you wake them from a nightmare, maybe not realizing they have been awoken and being disoriented.
Again, making a comfortable environment can be a preventative measure. Nightmares in dogs can be triggered by noises or chronic pain, Wag! explains, so eliminating catalysts can help your pup get a better night’s rest.
What do dogs dream about?
It’s still a bit of a mystery, though researchers have noted animals experience dreams similarly to humans in that they connect to everyday experiences. They likely dream about their owners and interacting with the people and dogs they enjoy being around, experts previously told USA TODAY. Longer dogs have longer dreams while small dogs have shorter, more frequent dreams, research shows.
Diver deeper: Here’s what your dog is dreaming about
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Contributing: Clare Mulroy
