Dogs experience sleep just like we do.[1] They have dreams and nightmares and go through a normal sleep cycle. But what if your dog is twitching in his sleep? Is something wrong? Should I wake him up?
In most cases, there is no need and it works just fine. Because his brain is only processing what he experienced that day, he may sometimes have muscle cramps. It can be harmful, but it’s as harmless as tossing and turning in bed or having a nightmare.
If there is a real problem, your dog may wake up later, but it depends on the cause. Why do dogs rock their bodies when they sleep?
the black labrador is sleeping on the sofa
There are many causes of sleep disorders in dogs, which are often related to dream processing or activity before sleep.
For example, if your dog has had a very tiring day, he may shiver when he sleeps as his muscles relax and unwind. Another reason is more mental. The dreams and memories of the day are processed and tracked in his mind.
Some are good, some not so good, but depending on what you remember, they can cause involuntary physical reactions like cramps or buzzing. In more serious but still harmless cases, he may have nightmares that startle him and wake him up, causing him to quickly become shaken.
These physical reactions are common in young pups as they absorb a lot of new information. This decreases as the dog matures, but becomes more common as they approach old age due to cognitive decline and old age.
Do dogs really dream?
a dog is sleeping on the sofa
Of course it is. In fact, their sleep cycle is virtually identical to ours and they go through the same stages as us.[1]
It takes about 20 minutes to enter the contractile cycle and you may experience both dreams and nightmares. It is still not clear what they are dreaming of, at least until the technology improves a bit.
But assumptions often center around a combination of everyday experiences and the senses they enjoy, such as sight, smell and taste.
Should I wake my shaking dog after a nightmare?
A woman petting a sleeping Shiba Inu on her lap
with pleasure. Even if your dog seems to be going through a traumatic experience, waking up suddenly adds more fuel to the fire of stress.
Not only will this affect your dog mentally, but it can also leave him with a very unpleasant bite that he does out of self-defense instincts without fully understanding who he is biting. This will only cause problems, so it’s best to let them figure it out on their own.
What are the bad reasons for contractions? Greyhounds adopt unusual positions while sleeping in their beds
As mentioned earlier, severe contractions are not similar contractions at all, but cramps.
Although rare in dogs, it does occur and can be problematic. It is important to know the difference between a normal nightmare and a bad dream.
Regular muscle contractions are often shorter and more variable than paroxysmal seizures. Cramps also feel and appear more severe in nature, like irritating cramps.
Another easy sign is that your dog may drool excessively, develop short-term urinary incontinence, and urinate or defecate while sleeping. It may be hard to tell at first, but trust me when I say you’ll know it when you see it.
If you think what you are seeing may be a seizure, contact your dog’s veterinarian as soon as possible to determine the cause. I can’t tell you if it’s treatable or not, but really it could be anything and the only way to find out is to get tested.
in the end
If your dog is shaking while sleeping, there is no need to worry. Either he’s living a dream or his muscles are relaxed after a long day of walking and exploring.
Puppies and older dogs may do this more often due to a number of factors, but it’s still okay. There’s nothing to worry about, and all you need to do is keep it awake and check on it occasionally.
The only time muscle tension can be a problem is if the attack lasts a long time and has side effects. If you think he may be experiencing narcolepsy, it’s better to be safe than sorry and call your vet as soon as possible to determine what’s causing the problem.
That said, I’m sure you’ll do your best to keep your little friend safe. Until next time, pet parents.
