Do Dogs Have Nightmares?
You’re sitting next to a sleeping dog. Out of nowhere, they begin to shake. Their paws twitch. Their lips are moving. Until they suddenly spring awake! Then, after a moment of looking around in dazed confusion…they fall back asleep.
Though it is unlikely that they’re dreaming of accidentally showing up to their high school class naked, it may have some owners wondering - do dogs have nightmares? Is this normal? Can I comfort my dog somehow?
Do Dogs Dream?
On average, most dogs sleep around 12 - 14 hours a day. Like humans, they tend to go through a number of sleep cycles throughout this time. This is normally a cycle of wakefulness - REM (rapid eye movement) - and deep sleep.
REM sleep is normally the time when dogs' dreams occur and is probably linked to the brain sorting through the day's memories to store them long-term.
Scientists have been trying to find out if dogs dream like we do for a long time. By comparing their neural activities from when they are awake to when they are asleep - it seems like dogs definitely have some type of dreaming experience. This is probably true for almost all mammals and even some other vertebrates.[1]
It seems like puppies spend more time dreaming than older dogs. This is probably due to them having a more active lifestyle as well as encountering a lot more new experiences.
What Do Dogs Dream About?
Unfortunately, we may never know what truly happens in dog dreams. However, we can assume that they’re probably dreaming about regular doggy things such as running around, eating, going on walks, or spending time with their favorite people.
Researchers at MIT have discovered that the brain waves of an animal learning repetitive tasks, such as learning a new trick or running a maze, and the brainwaves of when they were in REM sleep after a task were very similar, with some minor differences.[2]
So in the same way we dream about our daily tasks, such as going to work or a routine, dogs probably do the same in their dog dreams. However, in the same way, random things can happen in our dreams, the same is probably true for dogs - hence the possibility of your dog’s nightmares.
Should I be Worried About My Dog’s Nightmares?
Like humans, dogs will experience the occasional nightmare. Something might have just spooked them in their dream. A nightmare every now and then is nothing to get too upset over.
However, constant or very intense nightmares can indicate a deeper underlying issue. This could be something psychological or even a physical issue.
Possible Causes of Frequent Nightmares
Like humans, dog dreams are a reflection of their memories. A dog that is undergoing a lot of stress, such as one that has recently moved, been attacked by another dog, or had another bad experience, may be overly stressed out and afraid.
Past traumas, especially in rescue dogs, can also resurface in their dreams. Many people who work with rescue animals report that their dogs frequently suffer from bad dreams after coming home…and that the nightmares often calm down after they have been safe for a while.
It can also be the result of an underlying medical condition. Painful conditions such as arthritis or infection can cause strange sleeping patterns that result in nightmares. Dementia in older dogs can increase the frequency of how much your dog dreams and their confusion may mean more night terrors.
Certain dog breeds may dream more frequently. For example, it seems that smaller dogs have more frequent and shorter dreams than large dogs, which may mean more nightmares. Some breed-specific behaviors, such as running or guarding, may also crop up more in the subconsciousness of those breeds.
Nightmares vs. Night Terrors
Nightmares and night terrors may seem synonymous, but there are some differences.[3]
When a dog’s dream becomes a nightmare they are usually in REM sleep, and can be easily woken up from their bad dream. A dog having a night terror is normally in a deep sleep, more difficult to wake up, and may wake up dazed and confused, even lashing out if they’re afraid.
If your dog often acts out their dreams or whimpers in their sleep, they may suffer from REM sleep behavior disorder. However, a dog having night terrors is more prone to thrashing, barking, growling, or snapping.
Don’t wake a dog having a night terror as they may lash out and hurt you in their confusion. Let sleeping dogs lie, as they might say.
Night terrors can occur for a lot of the same reasons as nightmares, and can easily be confused for common nightmares. But the dog is less aware of their surroundings, even after being woken up.
There's not much to worry about, but terrors may be much more intense and difficult to get rid of than nightmares.
How Can I Help?
The occasional nightmare, even a vocal one, is no big deal. But, if you are worried about how often your dog has bad dreams, there are a few things to try to make sure your dog's dreams stay pleasant.
A Vet Visit
The first thing to do if you notice your dogs experience a lot of nightmares is to get them to a vet. A vet can rule out any underlying cause of pain or infection that might be causing their restlessness.
In some types of epilepsy, dogs may have seizures when they are asleep or late at night. A vet visit may also be able to rule out any potential epilepsy as a cause.
Tire Them Out
A good night's sleep can get your dog's dreams in order. Therefore making sure that they have been thoroughly exhausted before bed is a good plan for a better night’s rest.
Getting in a good amount of exercise and stimulation is very important in helping a dog deal with stress and anxiety, allowing them to fill their day with good experiences rather than anxious thoughts. A good, long walk can help dogs spend energy and see some new experiences, forgetting the old, bad ones.
A Good Bedtime Routine
A good nighttime routine can help calm and settle your dogs before bed, which may send your dog to a more pleasant dream world.
Consistency is key to reducing stress, which may be especially important to a rescue or a very nervous dog. The routine can include things such as soothing phrases, cuddles, treats, a potty break, and making sure your dog is settled in their sleeping spot.
An anxious dog can also be calmed by wrapping them up or putting them in encompassing clothing. For example, dog pajamas and coats, or anxiety-reducing ear wraps can help a dog feel toasty and secure when settling down for the night.
Natural Calming Techniques and Supplements
Some behavior training can help calm your dog before bed or after a bad nightmare, even just running through some already-known tricks can also take the brain power necessary to snap them out of it.
Some trainers and owners have had success with playing soothing music or white noise, or by using dog-safe sedatives such as CBD oils or chamomile and St.John’s Wort. A vet may also be able to give you some recommendations.
CAUTION: Always make sure that all home remedies, oils, and herbs, are safe for canine use and that you are using them in amounts that are safe for dogs. It is best to talk to a professional before trying a new technique.
Conclusion
Dogs dream often. Sometimes these dreams turn into nightmares. We don’t know exactly what they dream about, but it probably is impacted by what they see in their daily life.
Nightmares are not something to be worried about. However, frequent nightmares or intense nightmares can be an indication of deeper issues such as pain or anxiety.
You can try and help your dog by not waking them during night terrors, and by reducing their anxiety. This can be done by exercising them more, providing a soothing bedtime routine, and helping them manage any medical issues.
Dogs can also be soothed by providing them with heavy blankets or encompassing clothing such as dog pajamas or coats. If you would like to see some stylish dog pajamas, try out Sparkpaws’ Dog Pajama Collection or our Hat and Earmuff Collection.
Happy Walking!
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