Whenever a dog jerks or whines in his sleep, we can’t help but wonder what they’re dreaming about. If they look like they’re trying to run, we assume they’re thinking of chasing a squirrel or a rabbit. Humans have been afraid of sleeping dogs since ancient times, so scientists decided to look into the situation more.
As it turns out, dreams may not be the only explanation for dogs “running” in their sleep. Maybe dogs can dream, but researchers have found other reasons for these moving feet. Either way, sleeping dogs will still be adorable, but it’s exciting to think about what might be going on in their heads.
Why do dogs twitch when they sleep?
When dogs, humans, and other animals experience sudden movements during sleep, it’s known as myoclonus. Myoclonus is common during REM sleep, and it often includes leg twitches or blinks. In humans, we know that REM sleep leads to many unique dreams. Although dogs go through many of the same habits during sleep, it’s unclear if their movements are related to dreams.
“From dogs to humans, most mammals exhibit basic states of sleep,” says neuroscientist Marcos Frank. “We can’t conclude with certainty that dogs are having the same experiences we dream of, but it’s hard not to imagine they are.”
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Small movements can be associated with dreams, but more intense “running” can be associated with much more. When we sleep, our body is paralyzed from the neck down so we cannot act during sleep. The scientists found that if that paralysis-causing structure isn’t working correctly, it can lead to greater movements at night. Structures that are part of the brain stem are called pons.
A study from the 1970s revealed that additional lesions on the cats’ brains caused them to raise their heads and jump during sleep. So if a dog has damaged pons, they are more likely to move around in their sleep.
What goes on in a dog’s head while sleeping?
We can’t know for sure if dogs dream or what they might be dreaming because they can’t tell us. But we can make guesses based on science. Scientists believe that dogs’ brains work on memory consolidation during REM sleep just like humans. This idea comes from a 2001 study which showed that the sleeping rats would mimic the movements they had made earlier in the day while running through the maze.
Later, a 2017 study suggests that dogs also consolidate their memories while sleeping. The dogs in the study learned new voice commands before sleeping or playing. The dogs that slept after the training session were better able to remember the task than the dogs that played after. So it’s likely that dogs’ sleep movements are related to their memory of the events of the day.
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Since dogs do not have as good eyesight as humans, it is suspected that their memories are mainly based on smell rather than sight. So, if dogs dream, they may be experiencing a world of smell rather than sight.
“I think there is some sensory context that has to be consistent with mental content,” says Frank. “I always wonder, when dogs dream, is it a smelly world they are going through?”
Sleeping dogs continue to fascinate humans
Ever since dogs and humans started living side by side, we’ve been curious about their habits. Even Greek philosophers like Aristotle mentioned animal dreams. Living near a domesticated animal is sure to intrigue most people, which is why we love watching our dogs sleep.
Philosopher David M. Peña-Guzmán said: “In dreams, you actually see the power of the mind at work. “It is really a really powerful reminder of how much we underestimate and underestimate animals and the extent to which the animal mind remains in uncharted territory. of which we know relatively little.”
Not all scientists agree on what happens when dogs sleep. Is the reason for their seizures related to dreams like ours? Unfortunately, there is no way to know at this time. So one thing most researchers can agree on is that there’s still a lot to learn about sleeping animals. If only our dogs could tell us the truth!
