Did you know: Do Dogs Dream of Chasing Squirrels?

We’ve all seen it: your dog is fast asleep, paws twitching, lips quivering, maybe even letting out a little muffled bark. It’s adorable—but it also makes you wonder: what exactly is going on in there? Do dogs dream? And if so, what do they dream about?

Yes, Dogs Really Do Dream

According to researchers in canine neuroscience, dogs go through sleep cycles just like humans, including REM (rapid eye movement) sleep—the stage most associated with vivid dreaming. During REM, dogs' brains are active in a way that closely mirrors our own, suggesting they’re not just sleeping—they’re imagining.

What Are They Dreaming About?

While we can’t ask them directly, studies suggest dogs likely dream about everyday experiences—chasing a ball, greeting their favorite person, or exploring their usual walk route. Essentially, their dreams are reflections of their waking life, much like ours. So when your dog’s legs are twitching mid-nap, there’s a good chance they’re in hot pursuit of an imaginary squirrel.

Does Breed Affect Dreaming?

Interestingly, yes. Smaller dogs like Chihuahuas tend to dream more frequently, but their dreams are shorter. Larger breeds like Labradors may have longer, less frequent dreams. So if your Great Dane seems deep in sleep for hours, they might just be starring in an epic, full-length dream adventure.

Can Dogs Have Nightmares?

Just as dogs can dream happy thoughts, they can also have bad dreams—especially if they’ve had traumatic experiences. If your dog wakes up startled, whimpering, or seems unusually anxious after sleeping, it might be worth comforting them or checking for stress triggers in their daily life.

Should You Wake a Dreaming Dog?

The old advice—let sleeping dogs lie—is still solid. Waking a dog suddenly from REM sleep can be disorienting for them and might even result in a startled (accidental) nip. Unless they seem truly distressed, it’s best to let them ride the dream out.

...and

Dreaming is just one more way dogs remind us how deep their inner worlds really are. Behind those sleepy eyelids is a whole life of memory, sensation, and maybe even imagination. So next time your dog snores and starts running in place mid-nap, smile—they’re probably chasing something incredible in their own little dreamland.