by Bhavya Dabas

Created on: November 05, 2009   Last Updated: November 23, 2009

Dogs are very similar to humans in a lot of ways. They have a very similar genetic makeup. Studies have found sleep patterns in dogs to be very similar to ours. Researchers who measured their brain activity during sleep using an electroencephalogram found that they go through much the same sleep cycles that we do. They experience slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. SWS is the initial stage in which the mind is relatively inactive, while REM is when the brain is active but the muscles are fully relaxed. REM is deeper sleep, during which they are not easily awakened. That is when they dream.

Dreams are based on memory and thought processes. Dogs have memory, and they do think, even though their mental capacity may be less than that of humans. But their neurological processes are essentially similar to ours, which, together with the similarity in sleep patterns, suggests that their dreams follow patterns similar to ours. Their dreams are based on what they see in the world around them and what they enjoy doing. Of course, they cannot tell us what they are dreaming about, so it is up to their owners to interpret and guess, from the movements that they make when they are dreaming.

Dogs could be dreaming about playing around in the park, or chasing cats or cars down the street. They could be catching rabbits or rolling about in the grass. They could be chasing squirrels. They could be batting at birds or butterflies with their paws. They could also be playing with their owner, or a particular member of the family whom they are particularly attached to. Perhaps they are getting their tummy scratched by their owners. Or they are devouring a large, juicy steak or chewing on a large bone. They may also dream about being nursed by their mothers and frisking around with their siblings.

Dogs also have nightmares sometimes, just like we do. Pet owners have seen their dogs waking up in the middle of the night, scared. They could have been hit by a truck on the road or struck by lightning in their dreams. Just like children, they need to be comforted and patted when they do wake up terrified. They need to be gently and lovingly put back to sleep.

Studies suggest that smaller dogs dream more than larger ones, and puppies dream more than adult dogs.

Just like us, dogs do the things that they really like doing in their dream world. They play with their favorite toys, get petted by their favorite people, eat their favorite food and run loose and free where they like doing it most - in the park, in the woods or on the beach.

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