Dreaming dogs

Yes, we know dogs do dream.  Just as we have dreams during different stages of sleep, our furry friends experience similar stages.  For e.g. dogs have an REM stage, which is the part of dreaming we humans tend to remember.  Ever watched you dog sleeping as paws move or twitch? Occasionally our dog makes a soft vocalization during deep sleep.

This is the state where humans can act out movements relating to what they are dreaming.  The canine sleep movements are likely to represent waking activities such as running if the paws twitch.  The breathing will become less regular and the eyes can be seen moving beneath the closed lids.  Approximately 10% of their sleep is REM stage.

Around 50% of a dog’s day can be spent sleeping.  And they are OK doing this.  However, just because your dog is doing this, it does not necessarily mean he wouldn’t rather be doing something else.  He may be doing this simply because there’s nothing better to do.  I bet if you went and offered him some play right now he’d be with you in a flash.  Try and find nice ways to tire him so his sleep is replenishment and not boredom.

One amazing and heart-warming hypothesis…there is a good chance you feature in some of your dogs dreams.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)