Do You Know What Dogs Dream About? The Answer Will Surprise Many Owners
There is nothing more beautiful than the sight of your dog peacefully napping, their paws twitching as if chasing something across a meadow, or letting out a soft bark in their sleep. As caring owners, we like to believe that our dogs dream of cuddles on the couch, playing in the park and – of course – about us. It turns out that idea is not far from the truth, writes Mirror.
Dr. Deirdre Barrett, a clinical and evolutionary psychologist at Harvard Medical School, conducted research on what dogs actually dream about. According to her findings, it is highly likely that dogs, just like humans, relive parts of their day in dreams – which includes us, their favorite humans. In an interview with People magazine, Dr. Barrett explained: “People dream about things they are interested in during the day – although they dream in a more visual and less logical way. There is no reason to believe that animals are any different.”
Given how emotionally connected dogs are to their owners, it is possible they see your face, smell your scent, or even “experience” situations in their dreams that make you happy – or upset, reports Večernji.hr.
What can dogs dream about?
Although there is no way to know for sure what dogs dream about, Dr. Barrett assumes that paw twitching indicates dreams of running, while quiet barking might mean “talking” to another dog or a person.
Like humans, dogs go through stages of sleep during the night, including REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep – the period in which dreams occur. In humans, REM sleep begins about 90 minutes after falling asleep and lasts 5 to 15 minutes, with each stage becoming longer as the night progresses. For dogs, this cycle is faster but still long enough to allow dreaming.
Dr. Barrett advises owners to provide their dogs with positive daily experiences and a calm, safe place to sleep, as all of this contributes to more peaceful dreams.
What if your dog has a nightmare?
According to the American Kennel Club, it is best not to wake the dog. Although it can be hard to watch your pet whimper or thrash, interrupting their sleep can cause confusion or even aggression – especially in dogs who wake up scared. This can be particularly dangerous if a child is nearby.
“Just as people can be confused and upset when waking from a bad dream, dogs can react impulsively,” explains the club. “It is best to wait for them to wake up on their own, then gently comfort them.”
