You’ve likely observed your pet sleeping and wondered what’s happening behind those shut eyes. Your dog’s legs begin paddling as if he’s chasing after something in a meadow. A gentle bark is let out. Your cat’s whiskers begin twitching, her ears perk up ever so slightly, and her body begins to shift as if she’s stalking prey. It’s cute, but it’s also confusing. What are they seeing? What are they feeling? And somewhere in this silent world of dreams, are you there too?
Science has found that pets do indeed dream. Dogs and cats, just like humans, go through the stages of sleep, which is the stage of sleep where vivid dreams occur. Studies of brain activity in dogs during the REM stage of sleep have found that dogs’ brains are active in ways that are highly suggestive of dreaming. In other words, when your dog’s legs begin moving as if he’s running, it’s not just random muscle activity. Chances are, he’s dreaming.
