Do dogs dream?
Jessica Wood
Updated on January 12, 2026
Scientific research demonstrates comparable brain wave patterns in humans and dogs which validates this assumption. The conclusion is that dreams are part of the normal sleep cycle, and dogs do indeed have them!
Is my dog dreaming or having a nightmare?
If your dog is simply paddling their legs and making noises of excitement—they're probably having a good dream, most likely about dinner! But if your dog is whining, crying or growling, then they may be having a bad dream, in which they feel threatened or anxious.What do dog dreams look like?
When your dog is asleep, dreaming can look like twitching, heavy breathing and even nipping at the air. Interestingly, puppies and senior dogs tend to move more in their sleep. Since the pons is underdeveloped in young dogs and wearing down in old pups, their muscles are more likely to become active during sleep.What do dogs dream about nightmares?
A dog having a nightmare may be dreaming about something they don't like or even something that gives them anxiety. This can vary depending on the dog, but most dogs don't appreciate going to the vet or getting a bath/going to the groomer.Do dogs dream like we do?
Scientists now know that dogs experience multiple sleep stages during a standard sleep cycle, and during REM sleep (rapid eye movement), they dream just like we do, complete with twitches and whimpers. Dogs hit the REM cycle after about 20 minutes of sleep.Do Dogs Dream?
Should I wake my dog up from a nightmare?
According to the American Kennel Club, owners should let sleeping dogs lie. "Disrupting a dog during REM sleep, which is the sleep cycle in which most dreams occur, can cause serious consequences," says the AKC.Do dogs like being kissed on the head?
A lot of our affectionate behaviors don't translate well to dogs. Although it's true that some dogs can learn to like kisses, trying to kiss an unfamiliar dog on the head can come across as an act of aggression rather than affection.What do dogs hear when we talk?
Your dog might not understand everything you say, but he listens and pays attention similar to the way humans do. The researchers discovered that dogs — like humans — respond not only to the words we say to them, but also to the emotional tone of our voices.Do dogs know when you're asleep?
Think about it — your dog's instinct is to protect. They will let you know immediately if anything is amiss while you are asleep.Why do dogs cry in their sleep?
A dog's sleep cycleFun fact: smaller dogs have shorter REM periods, and larger dogs have longer ones. REM, or rapid eye movement, sleep is when dreaming occurs. This is the period of sleep where your dog may “act out” their dreams by moving their legs or paws, making faces, growling, whimpering, or crying.