Dogs sleep, on average, about 12 hours a day. That’s half of their lifetime! When they’re not playing, eating, and overall bringing joy to our lives, they’re peacefully asleep. When they’re asleep, are they dreaming just like us? Do they have happy dreams? We dive into these questions and share more information about what your pup is doing in their sleep.

Do Dogs Dream?

As many dog owners know, the answer is most likely yes! You may have heard your dog make some noises while knocked out or even seen them kicking or running while deep in sleep.

Back in 2001, MIT researchers found that animals do dream based on a study of rats. They found that rats had similar brain activity while sleeping as they did while completing a maze course, concluding that the rats were dreaming about the maze.

Because rats are less intellectually complex than dogs, they concluded that dogs also dream. We see this behavior in sounds and movements that are very similar to what we humans do in REM sleep.

Signs that your dog is dreaming include:

Twitching
Eyes moving behind their eyelids
Sounds such as growls, whimpers, or whines
An occasional bark that may even jolt them awake

What Do Dogs Dream About?

While sometimes it can be difficult to recall our dreams after waking up, the ones we do remember tend to reflect what happened during the day or what we saw while we were falling asleep, such as a TV show. Our dogs dream in a similar way. According to Psychology Today, dogs tend to dream about what happens during the day.

"The animal is certainly recalling memories of those events as they occurred during the awake state, and it is doing so during dream sleep and that's just what people do when they dream,” said MIT’s Matthew Wilson.

Maybe your dog was particularly excited by a squirrel outside or had a fun day running at the park. Research shows they could be dreaming about those memories.

Essentially dogs dream about their lives, as researchers found.

“What we’ve basically found is that dogs dream doggy things,” researchers said.

A dog’s dreams are also very dependent on many factors, including breed and size. Research shows that smaller dogs dream more than larger dogs and that certain breeds may have specific kinds of dreams. For example, a Doberman may be having protective dreams, chasing danger, while a golden retriever may be looking for snacks in their sleep.

Age is also a factor. According to VetStreet, puppies and older dogs dream more than dogs during the majority of their lives.

Perhaps most touching is a study by Harvard psychologist Dr. Deirdre Barrett that found dogs dream about their owners.

“Since dogs are generally extremely attached to their human owners, it’s likely your dog is dreaming of your face, your smell and of pleasing or annoying you,” she said.

How Do I Make Sure My Dog is Sleeping and Dreaming Comfortably?

Dogs can sleep just about anywhere. To help them have the most comfortable sleep possible, you can:

Establish a bedtime routine
Give them a dark, quiet space
Use essential oils and aromas for relaxation
Use calming sounds like classical music
Use calming treats
Crate train if needed

With good routines and a calming home, you can help your dog relax and feel safe while they sleep.

Luxury Dog Stays at K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel

Perhaps your dog is dreaming about their incredible time at K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel! While we have no proof for this, we also don’t have any proof against it.

At K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel, your dog can feel right at home with our luxury boarding options and daycare. Our internationally recognized facilities and certified, caring staff are here to give your dog plenty of memories to dream about.

Find a location near you to schedule a tour and give your dog a luxurious stay.