Written by Silvia Capelli
August 25, 2023
Yes, dogs do dream, it's scientifically proven! We don't have absolute certainty about what they dream, but everything suggests that just like us, they revisit the small events of their cheerful lives as eternal children.
But what do dogs dream about, and what do we really know about the dream activity of our best four-legged friends?
Dreams are a psychological phenomenon that occurs when we sleep (particularly during the REM, or rapid eye movement phase), and are characterized by the perception of images, sounds, and sensations that are recognized as real by the dreaming individual. It is also referred to as nocturnal thinking.
Dreaming occurs during sleep and can range from being very vivid to quite vague.
Dreams can include happy images or frightening sensations, be comprehensible or impossible to decipher, or they can be based on real events or completely imaginary.
Dogs sleep more than humans: while an adult human might need 7-9 hours to feel completely rested, a dog typically needs to sleep an average of 12 to 14 hours a day, which is more than half of the time.
Unlike humans, dogs don't sleep for many consecutive hours, but intermittently instead.
Puppies can sleep up to 20 hours a day, while older dogs tend to sleep more than younger ones as their metabolism slows down with age.
And larger dogs tend to sleep more than smaller ones, which are generally more active.
Since mammals, despite belonging to different species, are biologically very similar, it is assumed that dogs dream just like us.
As there are common brainwave patterns, dogs also go through the same sleep phases as humans, including rapid eye movement caused by dreams and the REM phase.
The REM phase is a particular stage in which, even though we are sleeping, our brain is as active as if we were engaged in intellectual activity.
REM sleep facilitates rest and enhances brain regeneration.
During this phase, the central nervous system is activated in a process of recovery and consolidation of memory-related information, allowing the brain to be reprogrammed and to discharge through dreams all the residual energy and tension accumulated during the day.
During REM sleep, there is paralysis of voluntary muscles, over which we no longer have control.
This prevents the body from making uncontrolled movements during sleep, which could be dangerous. This phase occurs in the same way for both dogs and humans.
When a dog falls asleep, its breathing becomes deep and regular. The dog then enters the REM phase and after about 20 minutes, begins to dream.
During dreaming, the dog's breathing becomes irregular and there are rapid and irregular muscle contractions in the legs, as if the dog is chasing prey in its dream.
The eyelids begin to move, as though the dog is watching something. In short, during the sleep phase, dogs behave exactly like humans. It's likely that they even remember parts of their dreams upon waking.
It's believed that, just like humans, dogs dream about the small events of their day: they dream of their owners, running in the field, chasing cats and small animals, their friends in the park, and perhaps a tasty, juicy bone.
There is no scientific evidence, however, that dogs can dream about completely imaginary, epic, and grand events like humans can. They may create new situations in their dreams, but these are based on a reality they are aware of.
Moreover, during the dreaming phase, dogs can process events that occurred during the day, thereby reviewing and learning what they have experienced in their sleep.
Another certain thing is that dogs can also have nightmares, dreaming about unpleasant moments from their past or their day.
According to experts from Harvard Medical School and scientists from Columbia University, we, the owners, are likely the main subject of our beloved dogs' dreams, as they perceive us as the most important figures in their lives.
You might have often seen your dog fluttering its eyelids, whimpering and moaning, twitching in its bed with spasms and uncontrolled movements, and moving its legs as if running: these are all signs that the dreaming phase has begun.
When dogs are deeply asleep and dreaming, waking them up is not the best choice.
As with humans, being disturbed in the middle of a dream can leave a sense of frustration, but not just that!
Dogs are not like us, and if disturbed during sleep, they might accidentally bite. Furthermore, if this happens repeatedly and the dog becomes frightened, it could develop a distrust of resting periods and no longer be able to relax.
It seems there is a difference: small dogs have shorter but more frequent dreams, while larger dogs dream less often but their dreams last longer.
Yes, dogs dream at all ages, although puppies dream more than adults, as dreaming helps them process the events and experiences of the day.
As mentioned in a previous paragraph, dogs also learn from their dreams. At least, that's what science tells us, but who knows if we'll ever truly know what our animal friends dream about.
While it's normal for us owners to think that a heavy dinner might affect sleep, and consequently, a dog's dreams, there's no certainty that diet, nutrition, or the type of food given that day have any impact on whether Fido has a restless night.
This is a topic we still know very little about, but when in doubt, it's better not to give Fido too much food or the wrong kind of food.
Dreams aside, a proper diet is essential for your pet's health and wellbeing, so no overindulgence in food.
We know, there are so many dogs that you might like, and choosing can be difficult. But we've gathered lots of useful information and we'll help you make the best choice.
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