Sleep and Dreams in Dogs and Cats: What Does Science Say?
, by Michael van Wassem, 7 min reading time
Twitching paws, soft whimpers, chewing jaws: is your pet really dreaming? Discover what science says about sleep and dreams in dogs and cats.
Your dog lies twitching with his paws while giving a soft little whimper, or your cat makes chewing motions with her jaw while dozing half-curled up. Is your pet actually dreaming at that moment? The short answer: most likely, yes. Dogs and cats, just like humans, go through several sleep stages, including a REM stage in which dreaming is most likely. Below you'll find out how much sleep dogs and cats need, what happens in their bodies during sleep, what we do and don't know about dreaming in pets, and when changed sleep behaviour is actually a sign to watch for.
How much sleep do dogs and cats need?
Dogs sleep twelve to fourteen hours a day on average. Puppies and seniors are often at the higher end of that range, with peaks of eighteen or even twenty hours, because growth and recovery take a lot of energy. Cats go even further: twelve to sixteen hours is normal, and indoor cats and older cats in particular can reach up to twenty hours a day.
An important difference from humans: while we typically sleep in one continuous block at night, dogs and cats spread their sleep across the day in many shorter periods. This polyphasic sleep pattern comes from their wild ancestors, who couldn't afford to lie unguarded for hours on end. A dog or cat that regularly naps during the day isn't showing laziness, but completely normal, inborn behaviour.
What happens in the body during sleep?
Just like humans, dogs and cats go through several sleep stages. First there's a light doze phase: the animal lies still but still reacts quickly to sound or movement. Deeper, restorative sleep follows, in which muscles and tissue repair themselves. Finally there's the REM stage (rapid eye movement), recognisable by fast eye movements under the eyelids, irregular breathing, and sometimes small muscle twitches.
💡 In dogs and cats, these stages alternate faster than in humans: a full cycle takes a dog roughly ten to twenty minutes, compared with around ninety minutes in an adult human. That fits animals that need to be able to react alertly to their surroundings even while resting.
Do dogs and cats really dream?
During the REM stage, brain activity in dogs and cats resembles their brain activity while awake, while most muscles are temporarily "switched off" to stop the body from actually carrying out movements. That combination, an active brain in an otherwise relaxed body, is exactly the pattern that coincides with dreaming in humans. Research on lab animals, particularly rats, has also shown that the brain actively "replays" patterns during REM sleep that resemble what the animal did earlier that day, such as running a familiar route. That kind of research is harder to carry out in dogs and cats, but behavioural scientists assume something similar happens: your pet may well be re-living fragments of its day.
🐶 Some researchers, including well-known dog psychologist Stanley Coren, suggest that smaller dog breeds dream more often but for shorter periods than larger breeds. That idea is plausible but not yet conclusively proven scientifically. What is established: the longer and deeper the sleep, the larger the share of REM sleep, and so the more likely it is that dreaming is taking place.
Why do they twitch, whimper or growl in their sleep?
The temporary muscle relaxation during REM sleep isn't watertight: in many dogs and cats, small movements break through. Think of twitching paws, "running" motions, flicking ears, soft whimpers or a brief growl. This is comparable to people talking or twitching in their sleep, and is entirely normal on its own.
⚠️ Don't wake a dreaming dog or cat abruptly by suddenly touching them. Not because dreaming is dangerous, but because an animal startled abruptly out of deep sleep can react disoriented, with an unintended startle response or snap. It's better to softly call their name or make a sound from a distance, so your pet wakes up calmly.
When is changed sleep behaviour a warning sign?
A single restless night is rarely a problem. Do keep an eye out for the following signs, especially if they persist or occur alongside other symptoms:
- A sudden, clear increase or decrease in the number of hours slept
- Difficulty finding a comfortable position, or frequently changing sleeping spots
- Whimpering, whining or growling that goes beyond a brief, mild reaction
- Restlessness, night-time wandering or confusion, especially in older animals
- Sleep changes together with reduced appetite, daytime listlessness or signs of pain
💡 In senior dogs and cats, persistent night-time restlessness can point to joint pain or, at an advanced age, cognitive decline (a form of "dementia" in pets). If in doubt, contact your vet to rule out physical causes before putting it down to behaviour alone.
How do you ensure good sleep for your pet?
Whether or not your pet is dreaming, good-quality sleep is essential for its health and daytime behaviour. A few practical pointers:
- Give your dog or cat a fixed, quiet sleeping spot, away from draughts and outside the busy through-traffic areas of your home.
- Choose a bed that suits the way your pet sleeps: animals that like to curl up often feel most comfortable in a bed with raised sides or an enclosed shape, such as the Gor Pets Slumber Dog Bed.
- Stick to a fixed day and night routine: set times for eating, walking and resting help the body regulate its sleep rhythm.
- Provide enough physical and mental challenge during the day, so your pet actually gets to deep sleep at night.
- Is your dog tense or restless, for example because of a busy household or thunderstorms, and sleeping badly as a result? Take a look at calming support in the reduce stress collection.
For dogs, there's a wide range of beds, cushions and blankets in various sizes and shapes. Cats have slightly different preferences; take a look at the range of cat beds and cushions for those.
Checklist: good sleep for your pet
- Fixed, quiet sleeping spot away from draughts and foot traffic
- A properly sized bed matching your pet's sleeping posture
- A fixed day and night routine
- Enough physical and mental stimulation during the day
- Extra attention to rest in case of pain, old age or stress
- Consult your vet if sleep behaviour changes suddenly
Frequently asked questions
Do dogs really dream?
Very likely, yes. During REM sleep, their brain activity resembles being awake, which in humans coincides with dreaming. We can only guess at the exact content of a dog's dream.
Why does my dog twitch in his sleep?
These are usually small muscle movements that break through the normal muscle relaxation during the REM stage, comparable to people talking or twitching in their sleep. On its own, this is harmless.
How many hours does a cat sleep on average?
Twelve to sixteen hours a day is normal, and older or indoor cats can reach around twenty hours.
Can I wake my dog if he seems to be having a nightmare?
It's best to let him wake up on his own. If the restlessness continues, softly call his name from a distance rather than touching him, to avoid a startle response.
Is sleeping a lot a sign of illness?
Not necessarily, many pets naturally sleep a large part of the day anyway. A sudden, clear increase combined with reduced appetite, listlessness or other symptoms is, however, a reason to consult your vet.
Conclusion
Dogs and cats very likely do dream: during REM sleep, their brains show the same active patterns that coincide with dreaming in humans, and the twitching paws and soft whimpers are visible expressions of that. More important than whether they dream is whether their sleep is good quality. Enough hours, a quiet spot and a bed that suits their sleeping posture make the difference there. If you're concerned about changed sleep behaviour in your pet, contact your vet.
Looking for a cosy sleeping spot for your dog or cat? Check out the range of beds, cushions and blankets at Fidello.
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