Do dogs dream?
Much like humans, dogs do dream.
In fact, groundbreaking research carried out by MIT on rats concluded that animals not only dream, they are also able to recall long sequences of events while they sleep.
Studies have shown that animal brains actually follow the same sleeping states as humans, with dreams connected to real-life experiences.
The three stages of sleep
Canine sleep can be divided into three different stages.
Wakefulness, whereby your dog will lightly awaken if disturbed, but not enough to be fully aware of events around them.
Rapid Eye Movement Sleep (often referred to as REM), which is thought to be very similar to that of the human sleep cycle.
In REM sleep, your dog's eyes may dart around, and the brain may mimic behaviours that make it seem as if they are awake. REM sleep usually occurs around 20 minutes after a dog falls asleep, and it's in this phase that dreaming will take place. This is when they may cry, bark or make other noises.
It is also when the brain converts short-term memories into long-term ones.
In contrast to REM sleep, non-REM sleep is much deeper and more restorative. This is when your dog's body rests and repairs itself, with significantly less brain activity, and minimal movement or sound.
How can I tell if my dog is dreaming?
There are certain signs that indicate your dog is dreaming.
During REM sleep, their body will look relaxed, but their breathing may seem shallow and irregular. They may whimper, cry or even growl. You may notice some muscle twitching and some dogs will move their legs as if they're running in a dream.
During the restful, non-REM stage of sleep, movement will slow down and your dog's breathing will become deep and regular.
What do dogs dream about?
While our four-legged friends may not be able to relay their memories to us directly, scientists have carried out extensive research into what dogs dream about.
They suggest that a dog's dreams most likely reflect activities from their waking hours, such as playing, chasing, or interacting with their owners.
Their dreams are thought to mirror their experiences, emotions, and instincts, which may explain certain movements or noises they make during sleep.
Dr Deidre Bennett, a clinical and evolutionary psychologist at Harvard Medical School, suggests that dogs dream in much the same way humans do. And after years researching sleep in humans, she believes your dog may even be dreaming about you.
If humans dream about the same things they're interested in, Bennet believes we can extrapolate this when we think of our dogs dreaming. If a dog is very bonded to their owner, it's likely that they dream of them, their face, and of daily interactions they've shared with their favourite person.
David Peña-Guzmán, a philosopher at San Francisco State University and author of When Animals Dream, cautions that while dogs may share similarities in cognitive brain function during sleep, this does not mean they experience human-like dreams.
For example, humans rarely report experiencing smells while they dream, but given olfaction is so important to our canine companions, we should perhaps consider the possibility that dogs dream in smells.
Do dogs have nightmares?
Just like humans, a dog's dreams may sometimes be distressing. So it is possible that if your dog cries, growls, or appears agitated during sleep, they could be having a bad dream or nightmare.
Nightmares in dogs may reflect a stressful real-life experience, such as a visit to the vet, a negative encounter with another animal, or being left alone. But while these nightmares can be unsettling to watch, waking a dog abruptly can cause confusion and anxiety.
With 6% of dog bites occurring as a result of sleeping dogs being disturbed, it's generally best not to wake your dog unless they seem extremely distressed.
Do different dogs have different dreams?
While all dogs have the ability to dream, it seems that breed and size do play a part in the way in which your dog dreams.
Stanley Coren, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of British Columbia, told the AKC that small dogs have more frequent dreams than large dogs, who have fewer but longer dreams. Puppies and senior dogs are also thought to dream more than middle-aged dogs.
What do dogs dream about when they cry in their sleep?
It isn't possible to know exactly what dogs are dreaming about when they cry in their sleep, but researchers do have some ideas.
As dogs dream of daily experiences, it's thought that they are probably reacting to an emotional or intense moment in a dream. This could be something joyful, like a fun run or an exciting game of chase with their friends. It could also be a more stressful dream, about a loud noise or an unfamiliar encounter.
Crying during sleep doesn't necessarily indicate a nightmare, but it could mean your dog is experiencing a particularly intense emotion.
If you notice your four-legged friend is crying in their sleep, try not to worry. It's likely just a reflection of a vivid dream. While any kind of whimpering can be alarming, this is normally a perfectly natural part of the dreaming process, much like humans talking in their sleep. Unless signs of distress persist, it's best to let your canine companion navigate their own doggy dream world in peace.
