If you’ve ever watched your pet twitch, twist, and growl when sleeping, you’ve probably wondered if he or she is having a particularly interesting dream that involves chasing mice or rooting through your trash can. For years, people have wondered if their furry friends experience the same vivid dreams that humans do. We’ve taken a look at the latest information and research on pet dreams in an attempt to answer the question.

What Happens During Sleep?

Whether you’re a pet or a person, you pass through similar stages of sleep. When you first drift off to sleep, you enter the non-rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep. The Non-REM cycle involves three stages of increasingly deeper sleep. During the first stage, your body becomes very relaxed, and your brain becomes less active. The second non-REM stage is marked by a slower rate of breathing and a lower heart rate. Relaxation intensifies and brain activity slows further as you prepare to transition to the deep sleep that occurs during the third non-REM phase. Dreams do occur during this stage but usually aren’t remembered.

After you’ve been sleeping for about 1 1/2 hours, you’ll enter the rapid eye movement phase. As you’ve probably guessed, your eyes begin moving back and forth during this phase. If you watch a family member sleep, you may actually be able to see their eyes moving beneath their eyelids during this phase.

Brain activity, breathing and heart rate increase during this shallower phase of sleep. REM dreams are often vivid and surreal and easily remembered when you wake up. Fortunately, your limbs and muscles are temporarily paralyzed during this phase of sleep to prevent you from harming yourself during a particularly disturbing dream. You’ll cycle between non-REM and REM sleep several times during the night, with each REM cycle lasting between 10 minutes and one hour.

What Does the Research Reveal?

Because the non-REM/REM sleep cycle occurs in all mammals, researchers believe that pets also dream. Unfortunately, your furry friends are never going to wake up and say, “You won’t believe the dream I just had!”. Although your pets can’t share their dreams, Koko, a gorilla who has been taught sign language, has the ability to discuss what she sees while she’s asleep.

In a People magazine article, researcher Penny Patterson mentioned that Koko has shared information about events that haven’t actually taken place or people she hasn’t met after she wakes up in the morning. If Koko can dream, it’s perfectly reasonable to assume that your dog, cat or rabbit also has nightly dreams.

French sleep researcher Michel Jouvet decided to find out if cats dream during a 1959 experiment that involved destroying the part of the feline brain that stops them from moving during REM sleep. When the cats entered REM sleep, Jouvet reported that they jumped, pounced and stalked invisible prey.

A 2001 study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researcher Matthew Wilson explored the issue by comparing the brain activity of rats while they were awake and asleep. Rats in the study often exhibited the same brain patterns during REM sleep as they did while running a maze while awake. The results lead Wilson to conclude that the rats were dreaming of running through the maze during the REM cycle.

Size matters when it comes to dreaming. Small animals, like rats, have very short REM cycles. Dogs and cats have longer cycles, but cycle length may still depend on the size of your pet. For example, a Rottweiler may experience longer REM stages than a Chihuahua.

Should I Wake My Sleeping Pet?

If your pet seems to be distressed by a dream, your natural reaction may be to wake and comfort him or her. Unfortunately, it takes a little while for a sleeping pet or person to transition from a dream to a fully awake state. Until that happens, your pet may think you’re part of the bad dream and bite or scratch you. Unless your pet is in danger of harming himself or herself during a dream, it’s best to let sleeping dogs (or cats) lie.

Do you have a question about your pet’s health or need to schedule a checkup? Give us a call and let us know how we can help you keep your furry friend happy and healthy.

Sources:

People: What Is Your Cat or Dog Dreaming About? A Harvard Expert Has Some Answers, 10/13/16

http://people.com/pets/what-is-your-cat-or-dog-dreaming-about-a-harvard-expert-has-some-answers/

LiveScience: What Do Dogs Dream About, 2/17/16

https://www.livescience.com/53743-dog-dreams.html

AKC: Do Dogs Dream, 11/09/15

http://www.akc.org/content/entertainment/articles/do-dogs-dream/

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understanding-Sleep

MIT News: Animals Have Complex Dreams, MIT Researcher Proves, 1/24/01

http://news.mit.edu/2001/dreaming

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Environment enrichment can help.

Environment enrichment is the process of making your pet’s living space engaging and stimulating in order to decrease boredom and avoid any associated consequences. Keeping your pets busy and engaged with mental games, active training and enough daily exercise will protect both your pets and your furniture. You can thank us later.

Environment Enrichment 101

There are a few simple ways to improve your furry friend’s immediate living space and help encourage mental and physical development, including the following:

1. Use Food-Dispensing Toys

Toys that dispense food are an excellent way for your dog to beat daily stress and boredom. Keeping your dog busy while you’re gone by making them work for treats, or their entire meal, keeps them interested and engaged. They are far less likely to be distracted by an arm chair or potential digging spot if they are being rewarded and encouraged with their favorite foods. Additionally, using toys that encourage dogs to eat more slowly can even improve digestive health.

1. Schedule Puppy Play Dates

As wonderful as engaging toys and human interaction can be for your pets, other dogs provide stimulation that we simply cannot. Regular play dates with other friendly dogs is one of the best ways to keep your dog learning and consistently engaged. Provide your pup with the opportunity to run, sniff and explore a new, safe space with a brand-new friend!

1. Stimulate Their Senses

Much like humans, dogs need variation to keep them learning and developing. Whenever you can, provide your pup with the opportunity to explore new spaces. Maybe try a new trail on your morning walk, take a trip to the beach or pack your smaller furry friend into a secure bike basket and go for a ride. Allowing your dog to experience new things will keep his senses keen and improve both his physical and mental health.

Want to Know More?

If you have any further questions about environment enrichment, or any unhealthy behaviors you have seen appear in your pet, contact your veterinarian for additional resources and support.

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No matter what kind of dog you have, they all need mental and physical stimulation. Our dogs often get in trouble when they have not had enough mental and physical activity…in other words, they get bored.

There are various types of activities that you can do together with your dog. Dogs that love to chase and retrieve balls are natural candidates for Flyball. This activity has dogs running and jumping over hurdles while carrying a small ball in a relay race against other dogs. Super active dogs like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds excel in this activity. These same dogs also do well in Agility activities. Dogs in these events run up ramps, jump over hurdles, run through cloth tunnels on a set course in order to finish with the best times.

Small dogs that love to dig can participate in Earthdog events. Dachshunds and Jack Russell Terriers have a great time digging and crawling through man made tunnels following a scent trail. Herding dogs, like Border Collies and Queensland Heelers, can be taken to places where they can actually learn to herd and work a small herd of goats or sheep.

Retrievers and other hunting breeds do well in tracking and field trials. Huskies and Malamutes can participate in mushing where they pull dog sleds. Any kind of dog, whether purebred or mixed, can participate in obedience training. There are many levels of accomplishment and you and your dog can choose how far you wish to take their training.

No matter what kind of dog you have, there are activities in which the two of you can participate together. Fulfilling your dogs’ need for activity is as important as affection and love. Ultimately, the time spent together will help you form a stronger bond with your pet. As an added bonus, you will also have a better behaved dog.

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Research the campground or area that you are planning on visiting. Not all campgrounds accept pets and many wilderness areas have leash laws for dogs. It would be better to find out ahead of time if your destination has any restrictions on visiting pets.

Make sure that your pet’s vaccines are up to date. Most of your pet’s vaccines are to protect him from diseases but a current rabies vaccine is a legal requirement for your pet’s safety and yours. Check with your veterinarian for any other vaccines that may be recommended based on the area that you are planning on visiting. For example, Leptospirosis and Lyme vaccines are not given routinely by all veterinarians to all dogs, but protection for these diseases may be a good idea when visiting certain areas. You should carry proof of your pet’s vaccinations.

If your pet is on any medications, be sure to bring enough for your trip and maybe a few extra in case some become damaged or lost. If your pet has any chronic medical conditions you might want to bring copies of his medical records. This will help any veterinarian make quicker and more appropriate decisions regarding your pet’s medical care.

Plan to bring enough food and water for your pet’s entire trip. Changes in diet can cause some pets to have gastrointestinal symptoms. This way you will know that any diarrhea or stomach upset that occurs will not be from a new kind of diet. Don’t assume that river, lake or standing water is safe for your pet to drink. There are certain intestinal parasites, for instance, giardia and cryptosporidium, that your pet can get from drinking water in the wilderness.

Make sure that you are using year round flea and tick control on your pets. There are many diseases that are carried by these blood sucking parasites and your pet may encounter more of them out in the great outdoors.

Though not as common as dogs, cats are also joining their families camping. Remember to bring a litter box with your cat’s favorite type of litter. Some cats are very particular about their litter and a tent or RV would be unpleasant if your cat decided to find an alternative place for his bathroom. Keep your cat in a carrier when traveling and then always have him on a harness and leash when taking him outside. A frightened cat would be impossible to catch in the wilderness.

With some precautions, your pets can enjoy the outdoors as much as you do!

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Can Your Pet Swim?

All dogs are not natural swimmers. Some dogs, and most cats, don’t even like the water. If you encourage your dog to enter the water without verifying swimming skills, you may need to perform an emergency rescue. Test your dog’s skills by following these steps:

• Encourage your furry friend to step into a few inches of water in a lake or kiddie pool. If you try the test in a lake, use a leash so that your pet can be quickly reached if necessary.
• Pay attention to your pet’s reaction. If it’s positive, add a few more inches to the pool or venture a little farther in the lake. Use treats or a clicker to encourage your furry friend to venture into deeper water. If your dog strongly dislikes the experience, try again on another day. Forcing him or her into the water may only create a fear of water.
• Evaluate your pet’s swimming skills. If your dog seems comfortable, walk farther into the water until it’s deep enough for your pet to swim. Your dog will begin paddling with all four paws if he or she can swim. If your pet doesn’t automatically move the back paws, gently move them to demonstrate the proper technique. It’s a good idea to put a special pet life jacket on your pet before this step.
• Even if your pet can swim, he or she may need a little instruction in making turns, rather than just swimming in a straight line. Keep your pet in a life jacket until you are confident that he or she has strong swimming skills.

Follow These Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe

If you live or play near the water, pet water safety is particularly important. Follow these tips to prevent accidents and injuries.

• Use a fence around your pool. Fences keep pets and children from falling into the water when the pool is not in use.
• Buy pool alarms that attach to your pets’ collars. If your dog or cat falls in the water, an alarm will sound in your home. Pool alarms are a good idea even if you have an indoor cat, since it only takes a second for a pet to slip through an open a door.
• Keep a bowl of drinking water by your pool, and bring a supply of fresh water when you visit the beach or lake. Drinking chlorinated water or lake, river or ocean water can make your pet sick.
• Always put a life jacket on your pet when you take him or her on a boat. If the boat capsizes, your pet may not be able to swim for a long period of time on his or her own.
• Consider buying a pet water ramp for your pool or boat. These plastic ramps allow pets to easily enter and exit the water.
• Give your pet a bath after swimming. Bathing removes chlorine that can irritate the skin and bacteria from lakes, rivers and the ocean that can make your pet sick if licked.

Surf Doggies: Teaching Your Dog to Surf is Easier Than You May Think

Want to enjoy your favorite beach activity with your pet? Try these tips.

• Use a surfboard with a foam top, as it’s easier for pets to grip these types of boards.
• Place a life jacket on your dog, then coax him or her on to the surfboard while it’s on the sand. Give the sit/stay command.
• Ask your dog to sit/stay on the surfboard in a few inches of calm water. Pull the board into deeper water to help your pet adjust to the feeling of being on the board in the water.
• Catch a wave in waist-deep water. Look for waves that have already broken and are beginning to foam. Push the surfboard into the wave and watch your dog enjoy the ride.
• Move out a little farther in the water and help your dog catch the bigger waves. Don’t move into deeper water unless it’s obvious that your pet is comfortable surfing in shallow water. Before long, your furry friend may be ready to enter a dog surfing competition!

Sources:

Water Safety Magazine: Pet Safety Tips, 6/4/12

http://www.watersafetymagazine.com/pet-water-safety-tips/

WebMD: Dogs and Water Safety

http://pets.webmd.com/pets-water-safety

San Antonio Humane Society: Water Safety

http://sahumane.org/news/animal-resources/pet-care-tips/water-safety

Skamper-Ramp: Home Page

http://www.skamper-ramp-store.com/

DogsLife: Teach Your Dog to Surf, 6/27/14

Surf Dog USA: Teaching Your Dog to Surf

http://www.surfdogsusa.com/teach-your-dog-to-surf.html

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