Have you ever seen a dog paddle its paws in its sleep and wondered what it was dreaming about?It is quite normal for dogs to twitch in their sleep, and many dog owners have reported this being a common occurrence with their sleeping dog. This is a reaction to dogs ‘dreaming’, similar to how humans do.Dogs experience highly stimulating and exciting REM sleep, during which their brain may go into overdrive. It is during this period that the brain sends signals to the muscles which are not fully turned off, causing your dog to ’twitch’. The common occurrences of this are seeing the dog’s mouth twitch in sleep, or its paws flailing in the air as if it is running, or chasing a ball.To learn more about why dogs twitch and what to look out for, read on! You can also find more great articles on our why do dogs lick each other and why do dogs like belly rubs.Is it normal for dogs to twitch in their sleep?Yes, twitching in their sleep is completely normal for dogs.Like humans, dogs dream when they are asleep. Their nightly sleep consists of three stages; these are NREM (Non-rapid eye movement), REM (Rapid eye movement), and SWS (Short-wave sleep). Dogs tend to dream during the REM stage, which is usually accompanied by twitching, running in their sleep or even with a couple of barks and growls. Sleep twitching has been observed to occur more in puppies and older dogs, as opposed to middle-aged ones.Dogs that tend to sleep stretched out or on their backs twitch more as their muscles are not completely tensed up and are more relaxed, compared to dogs who sleep curled up. Twitching may also occur in dogs who are feeling cold in their sleep, and they might shiver and twitch due to this. If this is the case, turning up the heat or cover your pet with a blanket to help stop the twitching. They may also twitch if they are having a nightmare, in which case gently petting them or soothing their help. Twitching in sleep is normal and these movements are nothing to worry about, however, there are a few things to keep your eyes open for, in order to determine if there are any underlying health problems.What does it mean when dogs twitch in their sleep?Like humans, dogs dream as well, and they undergo three stages of brain activity during this period. This consists of NREM, REM and SWS.Out of these three stages, REM is when the brain works in overdrive, and SWS is when heavy breathing occurs. Dogs are prone to having nightmares as well, and it is important to know the right way to soothe the dog in its sleep when it twitches too much. Abruptly waking the dog is very dangerous, according to the American Kennel Club, as it may bite its owner in its delirious state before is can process that it is safe. REM sleep is most likely when twitching and nightmares can occur, as the dogs eyes move rapidly behind its eyes and its brain activity soars at this time.On a happy note, dogs most probably dream about the happy days they spend with their humans - be it chasing behind cats and balls, lying in their owners laps and going for long, delightful walks.Is it safe for dogs to twitch in their sleep?Twitching is normal in dogs, and does not warrant much cause for concern as it is mostly a simple reaction to a dogs dream. However, there are a few signs to look out for which indicate that your furry friend is going through a seizure, and that is when you should act.Puppies and older dogs have been observed to twitch more in their sleep. According to Stanley Coren, a neuropsychological researcher, twitching occurs due to the development of the pons- a type of “off” switch in the brain which controls and regulates movement in animals during the sleep cycle. When the pons is weak due to age or is not fully developed yet, this causes the muscles to not fully “turn off”, which will cause the animal to move in its sleep. Twitching occurs the most during the REM stage of the sleep cycle, during which your dog’s brain activity appears to mirror that of when it is awake. During this period, it is also the most difficult to wake them as they are in deep sleep. However, they can be calmed and soothed by stroking or petting them. Normal behavior for a twitching dog is when it lies on its side and paddles its legs like it is running or swimming. Surprisingly, it is not only dogs who twitch in their sleep, but a wide range of other animals as well!What to do when dogs twitch in their sleep?When it comes to watching in its sleep, it is best to adhere to the phrase “let sleeping dogs lie”. If you want to calm your pup down when it is excessively moving, call his name or gently stroke him until he relaxes. Do not try to shake the dog awake, or put your fingers in its mouth, as this will cause the dog to wake up abruptly and startle it, causing it to snarl at, bark or bite you. A sleeping dog must always be woken gently, in order to keep both pets and owners from coming into any harm.When dogs twitch in their sleep, they will make one of two jerky movements and then go back to sleeping peacefully. Twitching will last for less than 30 seconds, and gently calling out their name to wake them or patting them to soothe them in their sleep may help stop the twitches in this case.In case of a seizure, there is certain behavior to look out for. A dog’s body will go stiff, tremble incessantly and will lock together. The seizing dog will tremble for a lot more than 30 seconds, which is when there is real cause for concern. It may become unconscious and not respond to any touch or call. Unfortunately, dogs are very prone to seizures and these may occur at times when the dog is very excited, falling asleep or waking up, or going through sensory overload, also while dreaming. Seizures may also occur due to overheating and low blood sugar, which is why it is very important to keep a check on your dog’s health and take regular visits to the vet. It is also good to know the difference between a dog having a nightmare and a dog going through a seizure, as the two can look very similar. Regular nightmares or too much twitching while dreaming can be harmful as well, and it is better to look into putting your dog on an anti-anxiety or calming medication.If your pet is having a seizure, it is important to keep both yourself and your dog calm. Wrap your dog in a blanket and make sure that you keep comforting it. Keep its body temperature low, and time the seizures. After your dog has calmed down, let it sleep or give it food and water. Consult your veterinarian immediately, and discuss the option of putting your pet on epilepsy medication you notice this behavior occurring often.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Why Do Dogs Snore? then why not take a look at related articles such as Why Do Dogs Sneeze? Here Are The Explanations and Belgian sheepdog facts.
Have you ever seen a dog paddle its paws in its sleep and wondered what it was dreaming about?
