But is it true that dogs dream? And what does a dog dream about?

Of course dogs dream: they move their eyelids, they whine, they move their paws (sometimes so hard that some owners think they are having convulsions). And from the movements it is possible to hypothesize what they are dreaming of

Many dog owners wonder if it’s true that dogs dream. The answer is: absolutely yes. Sometimes, they dream so intensely that they cry or move their paws so forcefully that their owners may think the dog is having a seizure in its sleep. In reality, the dog is simply dreaming. But what exactly do they dream about?

Do dogs dream? Absolutely yes

Dogs dream, just like we do, and so do cats. Of course, the subjects of their dreams may be different from ours, but the process is the same. Considering that our four-legged friends sleep about 12-14 hours a day, it’s important to note that their sleep is not deep enough for them to dream the entire time.

Like humans, dogs’ sleep can be divided into different stages:

• Light sleep: The dog appears to be sleeping, but in reality, it’s just resting with its eyes closed in a state of alertness. Any slight noise or stimulus can wake them up immediately, fully alert. This phase usually lasts around 20 minutes. (READ ALSO: How does your dog sleep? The 7 favorite positions and what they reveal about their mood)
• REM sleep: This stands for Rapid Eye Movement. It’s the stage in which dogs dream. During this phase, a part of the brain called the pons prevents the dog from physically acting out the dream. However, this doesn’t mean that no movement is possible. As in humans, during the REM stage, if a dog dreams of walking, it won’t actually walk. The brain prevents the body from moving to avoid injury while sleeping. However, this control isn’t absolute: small movements of the eyelids, eyes, and limbs can happen. This explains why a dog dreaming may move its eyes, cry, tremble, or move its paws. Contrary to popular belief, the REM phase, where dreams occur, is very short—lasting at most 2-3 minutes—regardless of how long the dream seems.
• Non-REM phase: This is when the dog is truly resting, leading either to waking up or entering a new phase of light sleep.

What do dogs dream about?

It’s hard to say exactly what dogs dream about. Since they can’t talk, they can’t tell us about their dreams when they wake up. Do dogs dream about their owners? Possibly.

There are several interpretations of what dogs might dream about based on their movements. However, these are purely hypothetical and speculative.

For example, when dogs dream and move their paws, they might be dreaming about running or playing with something. Sometimes dogs dream and cry, whine, or make noises while sleeping. It’s possible they’re dreaming about something unpleasant—maybe another animal stealing their food or a cat they can’t catch.

When a dog dreams and moves its mouth, it’s pretty clear: it’s probably dreaming about eating.

What to do when your dog is dreaming?

In reality, it’s more important to talk about what NOT to do when your dog is dreaming. We shouldn’t disturb or wake them up when they’re in a deep sleep phase, to avoid causing stress or agitation.

Puppies tend to dream more than adults, though it depends on the individual dog. If they whine, tremble, or move their paws while sleeping, they are most likely dreaming and not experiencing a seizure. Seizures would be accompanied by other symptoms, such as excessive drooling, and loss of bladder and bowel control.