Finicky Felines And Smoochin' Pooches

  Do Dogs and Cats Dream? How to Read Sleep Movements Safely A sleeping dog may paddle its paws across the bed, while a cat chirps, flicks its tail, or twitches its whiskers. Do dogs and cats dream, or are these movements only random muscle activity? Researchers cannot ask pets what they saw while asleep, but brain studies and sleep behavior offer strong clues. Dogs and cats appear to dream during REM sleep, often replaying familiar experiences. Most sleep movements are normal, though some signs need veterinary attention. Do Dogs and Cats Dream? Sleep Science Points to Yes Brain activity gives researchers clues about animal dreams Dreaming is most closely linked with rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep. During REM, the brain shows active patterns on an electroencephalogram (EEG), while most large muscles become less active. EEG studies show that dogs and cats pass through both non-REM and REM sleep. Their sleep patterns share key traits with human sleep. These findings support t...