We see our dog twitching, whining, or even barking quietly in their sleep, and it instantly brightens up our mood, doesn’t it? After all, these little gestures are so cute and so heartwarming! But, did you ever think that you might be the cause of it? Well, Dr. Deirdre Barrett, a Clinical and Evolutionary Psychologist at Harvard Medical School, thinks so.
In a report published on October 24, 2016, by The Independent, Dr. Barrett said dogs are likely to dream about their everyday lives, which means you, their favorite human, might be the hero of their nightly dreamscape. However, if you are a cat owner, you are definitely less lucky! According to her, while dogs dream about their human family, a cat’s dream, in all likelihood, mainly involves hunting mice. Let’s go deeper into this charming little revelation and discuss what it means for dog lovers and cat lovers everywhere.
Dr. Barrett’s Big Discovery – Dogs Dream like Humans
Dr. Deirdre Barrett, a clinical and evolutionary psychologist from Harvard Medical School, has been studying the thoughts and dreams of our canine friends for a long time now. She says, after years of thorough research, that dogs dream about the things that occupy their days, just like us! Thousands of years of evolution has designed domestic dogs to get attached to their owners in a rather amazing manner, and that’s why your face, scent, and even your most eccentric behaviors may be dancing through their REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep cycle.
However, it’s not yet fully established science, but the concept clearly has legs to stand on and is making headlines even almost a decade later. Speaking on cats, Dr. Barret went on to describe that science knows more on cats sleep because of earlier research. She explained how one of one of the earliest sleep researchers, Michel Jouvet carried out an experiment which destroyed the tiny area in cat brains that inhibits movements during REM sleep. During observation, cats remained quiet during the stages of sleep, but during REM sleep, they began leaping up, pouncing and arching their backs, even making hissing sounds suggesting they may have been dreaming of hunting mice.
The Twitches and Whimpers of a Sleeping Dog – You Might Be the Cause
Take a look at your dog snoozing on their favorite spot on the couch, their tiny paws flicking like they’re chasing squirrels, maybe even making a few occasional whimpers (or howls), Dr. Barrett believes that these motions are clues to your dog’s own private dream world. These gestures actually reflect what your furry best friend likes (or dislikes) during the day! The reason behind this theory is quite simple. Dogs’ devotion to humans likely molds their psyche, so, when your dog’s legs start jogging in place, they may be remembering an awesome park walk they had that afternoon or a fight over a toy in your backyard.
A Dog’s Sleep Cycle is Very Similar to Ours
Let’s now check out the science behind these claims. Dogs, just like their humans, enter the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep phase around 90 minutes into their slumber period. Dr. Barrett says, this is the ideal dreamland with cycles ranging from five to fifteen minutes, a pattern that is very similar to human sleep cycles! This implies that our dogs’ brains aren’t that different from ours when the bedroom lights get dimmer.
Want a Few Tips on How to Give Your Darling Pup Sweet Dreams?
Now that you know your dog is dreaming of you and their daytime activities, don’t you want to make their dreams sweeter? Here Dog experts offer advice to never let your dog dream of scary things ever again! First of all, make sure your dog has had an enjoyable day with long walks, a game of tug-of-war, and maybe even a round of completely staged hide-and-seek with their favorite toy. But don’t forget, a super comfortable bed also helps because it makes them feel secure while sleeping. What’s more, things you did during the day will replay in your dog’s dreams, so don’t forget to start your morning with a tight hug and end your day with a kiss on the forehead. Never forget, your furry dreamer sees you as the center of their world, so, the next time you see those twitches, say a soft “I love you too” because they just might hear it in their dreams.
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
