Dog Tips

When Your Pup's Nighttime Fear Isn't Just a Dream

Your pup's paws twitch as they snooze — are they chasing squirrels or running from something scary? Dogs dream just like we do, and sometimes those dreams take a dark turn.

Reviewed by Dr. Elizabeth Hardoon

Feb 12, 2026 • 6 min read

Join the Bark & Whiskers™ Family

Sign up today for our FREE newsletter, packed with expert advice and insider tips to keep your beloved pet in tip-top shape.

View our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

Dogs experience rapid eye movement (REM) sleep just like humans, and that’s when most dreaming happens
Scientific studies show dogs likely relive memories in their sleep, which means they can have both dreams and nightmares
Bad dreams may cause subtle signs like soft barking, whining, twitching, or confusion when waking up
More intense reactions — like crying out, growling, or sudden movements may look like night terrors or even seizures
A calm sleep space, a predictable routine, and veterinary support (if needed) can help reduce stress and improve sleep quality

Your dog might look like a cozy little cinnamon roll, but sleep is anything but ordinary. Those quiet hours are when life slows down for them — a time to recharge and find balance after a day full of play, snuggles, and new experiences. It’s a simple rhythm that keeps tails wagging and hearts happy.¹ There’s more to those naps than meets the eye, and that’s what makes them so important.

Do Dogs Dream Like Their Pawrents?

Yes, scientists believe most vertebrates — including your precious fur babies — experience dreams. A study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) provides additional insight on how this works. The researchers observed which parts of rats’ brains were active as the animals ran through a maze. Later, while the rats slept, the same brain areas became active again. This suggested the rats were reliving the maze in their dreams, providing strong evidence of real dreaming.²

An article in Whole Dog Journal notes that, for dogs, sleep occurs in two main phases: lighter non‑rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and REM sleep, which is deeper and more active. Dogs usually enter REM sleep about 10 to 20 minutes after falling asleep. That’s when dreams begin. During this phase you may see their legs moving or twitching and sometimes you can even see their eyes moving under their eyelids as their brain gets to work.³

Why Sleep Is Such a Big Deal

According to Dr. Nicholas Dodman; professor emeritus at Tufts University and the chief scientific officer at the Center for Canine Behavior Studies; dogs experience sleep in stages; similar to humans. After drifting into light sleep, they progress into REM sleep, the stage where most dreaming occurs.⁴

The four stages of sleep: Dogs cycle through three non-REM stages and one REM stage. Each plays a unique role in restoring physical and mental balance:⁵

Stage 1 (Light Sleep) — The transition from wakefulness to sleep — the heartbeat slows, muscles relax, and there may be occasional twitching.
Stage 2 (Deeper Relaxation) — The body temperature drops, the breathing slows, and brain activity shows brief bursts.
Stage 3 (Deep Sleep) — Long periods of restorative sleep; the heartbeat and breathing rate are at their lowest.
REM Sleep (Dream Stage) — Rapid eye movement, irregular breathing and heightened brain activity are present — this is where dreaming occurs.

Those puppy naps aren’t just cute — they are vital to your dog’s health. Dogs need far more sleep than we do. Adult dogs typically clock 12 to 14 hours a day, while puppies can snooze for 18 to 20 hours.⁶

Dogs have a unique sleep pattern as well. They’re crepuscular which means that they are most active at dawn and dusk, and they enjoy napping throughout the day. This natural rhythm helps them fit comfortably into household routines while attending to their biological needs.⁷

Just like us, dogs need sleep to repair muscles and tissues after daily activity. During deep non-REM sleep, their heartbeat and breathing slow, allowing the body to focus on restoration. Puppies and active dogs need even more sleep because their bodies are growing or recovering from exercise.⁸

The Sleep Foundation notes that dogs often dream about activities tied to their natural behaviors. Retrievers may replay memories of chasing and carrying a ball or toy, pointers may “point” in their sleep, and terriers often appear to dream about chasing or catching a or that elusive squirrel.⁹ In general, young and small dogs are noted to dream more frequently, but those dreams are brief, whereas larger breeds tend to have longer, less frequent dreams.¹⁰

Can Dogs Have Bad Dreams?

While dogs experience daily life differently from humans, their brains replay events, emotions, and stress in very similar ways. That’s why upsetting experiences can sometimes resurface as nightmares, night terrors, or other sleep disturbances.

Nightmares are emotionally upsetting dreams that occur during REM sleep. During this phase, the brain is highly active, but the body is still at rest. That’s why in dogs having nightmares you may notice twitching paws, quiet barking, whining, or a distressed facial expression. When they wake up, they may seem confused or unsettled, but these episodes are usually brief.¹¹

Stress is one of the biggest triggers for canine nightmares. Dogs often process parts of their day while sleeping, so stressful events like a vet visit, fireworks, or moving to a new home can show up in their dreams.¹²

Night Terrors and Sundowner Syndrome

In some cases, dogs experience night terrors instead of nightmares. These episodes happen during transitions between sleep stages, not during REM sleep, and they don’t involve dreaming, so dogs don’t remember them afterward. Night terrors can look dramatic, with thrashing, stiff movements, loud vocalizing, or even growling and biting. Because these signs can resemble REM sleep behavior disorder, frequent episodes should be evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out pain or neurological issue.¹³

It’s also worth noting that fear after sleep isn’t always caused by a nightmare. According to Great Pet Care,¹⁴ waking from a frightening dream can sometimes bring relief because dogs realize the danger wasn’t real. However, conditions like Sundowner syndrome or canine cognitive dysfunction; which is common in older dogs; can cause dogs to appear anxious or stressed during the evening. Symptoms may include shaking, whining or pacing and trouble sleeping.

These episodes may sometimes resemble night terrors; but the difference is that they occur when your pet is awake. If your dog seems overly anxious or withdrawn during the day or has a traumatic past, you may want to seek professional guidance from a veterinarian or behaviorist.¹⁵

Simple Ways to Help Your Pet Have Sweeter Dreams

When your four-legged friend wakes up from a nightmare, your first instinct is to scoop them up and reassure them — and that’s a good start, but you can also take some steps to prevent nightmares from occurring. Some things you may want to try include:

Creating a calm, comfortable sleep space — Set up your dog’s bed in a quiet, dark, and safe area. Use a soft bed that’s the right size so your dog can fully stretch out, and place familiar toys or chew items nearby for comfort.¹⁶
Stick to a consistent routine — Going to bed and waking up around the same time each day helps your dog feel secure and makes sleep more predictable.¹⁷
Encourage regular rest during the day — Make sure your dog has plenty of opportunities to nap and recharge, especially after physical or mental activity.¹⁸
Don’t wake them mid-dream — It’s tempting to interrupt when you see twitching or hear whimpers, but waking a dog during REM sleep can startle them. Unless they’re in distress or at risk of injury, let the dream run its course.¹⁹

Finally, if nightmares happen often, it’s time to check in with your veterinarian. Frequent sleep disturbances can signal anxiety or an underlying health issues. Your vet may recommend a physical or neurological exam, blood tests, or other evaluations. Recording a short video of an episode can help your vet understand what’s happening and guide the next steps. If you work with a holistic veterinarian modalities such as acupuncture, herbal therapy and pet safe essential oils can help to treat anxiety and restless sleep or nightmares.²⁰

Sleep is how your dog’s brain makes sense of the day and their body regenerates and recovers from daily activity. Most dreams are calm and familiar, but stress or changes in their life can affect their dreams. An occasional nightmare doesn’t reflect how happy or loved your dog is.

What matters most is what comes after: the sound of your voice, your steady routine, and the comfort of being near you. Over time, that sense of safety settles in. And for your fur baby, waking up to you is still the safest place they know.