Dreams are a fascinating and mysterious aspect of life—where else can you soar through the sky, fulfill your greatest aspirations, and delve into the most peculiar fantasies?

We aren’t the only creatures who dream. Studies indicate that rats recall their pathways in mazes, while cats mimic hunting, leaping, and grooming movements during deep REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.

Dogs also display signs of dreaming, such as twitching, whining, or kicking while they snooze. But does this indicate that they’re dreaming? Should you wake them or just let them be?

What might dogs dream about?

It’s clear that dogs do dream, but the specifics of their dreams remain somewhat enigmatic. A study from MIT in 2001 revealed that various animals, including dogs, experience dreams akin to humans, with their dreams reflecting real-life events.

This MIT research involved observing sleeping rats and discovering that their distinctive brain activity during slumber closely echoed memories of physical activities, such as racing or being still. According to the researchers, this validates the idea that animals can relive experiences in their dream states.

“Dogs likely dream about their owners and their interactions with other dogs and familiar people,” explains José Arce, a veterinarian and past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Research also shows that dogs’ dreaming patterns may vary based on their daytime activities. A long, playful day tends to result in less time spent in the pre-sleep phase and an increase in NREM and REM stages, which are when dreaming predominantly occurs.

Can dogs have nightmares?

Like humans, dogs can also experience nightmares. In fact, a frightening dream may lead your dog to whimper, kick, or even growl during its slumber.

While it might be tempting to comfort a scared dog, Arce advises owners to exercise caution.

“If a dog is growling, I wouldn’t intervene,” Arce warns. “You need to be cautious near their mouth, as they might bite, not intentionally, but they can’t control their actions.”

The Journal of Veterinary Behavior reported that about 6% of dog bites happen when the dog is asleep or resting. While this figure seems small, it’s a reason to reconsider petting a snoozing dog.

Instead, it’s better to focus on preventive steps, like providing a cozy and peaceful sleeping space.

Do different breeds of dogs dream differently?

While we know that both dogs and humans have similar dream patterns, there’s still a lot more to uncover regarding how dogs sleep. Arce believes future studies may reveal connections between daily activities, breeds, and dream content.

<p“Puppies tend to dream more, and interestingly, older dogs might dream more than their middle-aged counterparts,” Arce notes.

Additionally, larger breeds generally have longer dreams, whereas smaller breeds have shorter but more frequent dreaming episodes, as reported by experts from the American Kennel Club.

Future investigations might clarify why Chihuahuas might dream more often than German Shepherds and could potentially identify which dreams are linked to specific movements and twitches.

“As artificial intelligence develops and we begin to monitor our pets’ vital signs, I believe we will uncover more insights,” Arce adds. “Many technologies are evolving right now and becoming increasingly sophisticated.”