Have you noticed your pet dog whining, paddling his legs, or twitching his nose while asleep? These behaviors appear strange considering that the dog is sleeping, raising an important question in the minds of pet owners—do dogs dream?

Results of many scientific investigations have supported the belief of many experts that dogs do dream. The hippocampus, a part of the brain that collects and stores memories, are structurally similar in all animals.  And just like people, dogs may replay past experiences while they sleep. In humans, dreaming usually occur during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. It is during the phase of REM sleep when behaviors are displayed by dogs that are presumed to be dreaming. In dogs, REM sleep is characterized by irregular shallow breathing; twitching of the muscles may also be displayed.

Your Thousand Oaks, CA veterinarian is a rich source of knowledge when it comes to your dog’s behavior. For more information, click here.