Do Dogs Dream?

Let sleeping dogs lie, they say. Well, it would be a lot easier if it didn’t look like they were chasing cats, rabbits, or even maybe dragonflies in their sleep. But, are those twitches dreams?

At the structural level, the brains of dogs are similar to those of humans. Also, during sleep the brain wave patterns of dogs are similar that of people, and go through the same stages of electrical activity observed in humans, all of which is consistent with the idea that dogs are dreaming.

Many scientists say there is evidence to support the idea that dogs do, in fact, dream. Dogs enter deep sleep and during this stage, rapid eye movement (REM) takes place. Some dogs may move their legs as though running, some may whine, hold their breath or breathe rapidly for short periods.

Research also suggests that not all dogs dream equally. Smaller dogs may dream more frequently, while larger dogs, less so. Puppies, it is thought, are processing massive amounts of newly-acquired information and may therefore be the most prolific canine dreamers of all.

So, let’s assume dogs do dream. What about? Only they know.