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Our pups mean the world to us, and the last thing we want is for them to hit the hay and stumble into a nightmare. Up until recently, researchers have worked tirelessly to prove that our dogs dream at all, and that, with pleasant visions of chasing bunnies, come whatever horrors our little guys can conjure. Luckily for pet parents, we can actually tell the difference between our furry friends’ dreams, so let’s dive into a few telltale signs. 

When They’re Hopping Through Grass

Dogs have dreams all the time, and they share a lot of similarities with their human pals. If your dog is having a good dream, you’ll see anything from gentle paw twitching to classic eye movement. (Unfortunately, dogs do look like demons when their second eyelid comes out, but we promise, it’s not always a bad sign!) They might also bark or even “walk” in their sleep, frolicking along the hardwood floor with nary a care in the world. 

Look Out for the Vacuum

Of course, our poor puppies don’t always have pleasant dreams. While we can’t read their minds, pet parents can identify a nightmare through growling, whimpering, or even shaking. They might also jerk their limbs more erratically or yelp. Whatever happens, you’ll know something’s wrong when you see it. 

So, What Can You Do?

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It’s adorable to watch a kicking dog enjoy their dream, but our immediate reaction to a nightmare is completely different. Pet parents naturally want to wake their furry friends, but that’s actually not the best idea. Just like people, dogs can feel even more rattled if they’re shaken out of a nightmare, and they might not feel comforted by intrusion. 

It’s best to wait it out. It won’t be pleasant for either for you, but it’s the proper thing to do! Thankfully, nightmares don’t last very long in Doggy Land, so they’ll likely snap out of it in a few minutes. Once they do, make sure you comfort them with gentle reassurances and lots of pets. (If you do need to wake them up, instead of shaking them, try to gently call their name until they come to.) 

Should You See a Vet?

Nightmares are common enough in dogs that they don’t often signal underlying trouble. However, if they have them every night or they impede your hound’s sleep schedule, you might want to bring Fido for a checkup. 

We all want what’s best for our dogs, and now that you know what a nightmare looks like, you can protect them from that pesky mailman!