Do our dogs dream? Yes, they do!
Almost every dog owner has seen it at some point: the dog lies fast asleep in its basket, then suddenly the paws twitch, the eyes move beneath the lids, there is a quiet woof or a growl, and some even snap at a phantom in the air. But do our four-legged friends really do this because they are dreaming – or are these just physical reflexes?
Do dogs really dream?
Science is quite clear: yes! Dogs dream in a similar way to us humans. This is confirmed, among others, by the Canadian scientist and professor of psychology Dr Stanley Coren of the University of British Columbia. He has been researching dog behaviour for over 40 years. Studies of brain waves have shown that dogs process the day's experiences in their sleep and replay them once more before their mind's eye. So if you see your dog running in its sleep, you can assume that it is chasing a ball, a hare or the postman. What exactly they see, of course, remains their secret.
Small dogs dream more often
Interestingly, it has been found that not all dogs dream in the same way. Size and age play a role. Small dogs dream more frequently, but for shorter periods, than their larger counterparts. A miniature poodle can have a new dream sequence every 10 minutes, while a Great Dane might only dream once an hour, but for considerably longer.
By the way: puppies also dream a great deal, as they have to process countless new impressions every day. Sleep is essential for dogs to store what they have experienced and to regenerate the nervous system. That is why you should never wake a dreaming dog – however endearing the twitching may look.
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The content of the articles is for general information purposes only and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a veterinarian. This information does not constitute medical advice and should not be construed as such.
