What Dogs Dream Of: A Gentle Reflection on Rest, Memory, and Imagination
If you’ve ever watched a dog sleeping, you’ve probably caught a glimpse of something precious. One moment they’re still, breathing slow and steady. The next, their paws begin to twitch. Their nose quivers. A low, muffled woof slips out. It’s as though you’re witnessing their body at rest while their spirit is chasing something far away and invisible, yet vividly alive.
Science confirms what we’ve long suspected: dogs do dream.
Researchers at MIT have found that animals not only dream, but likely replay their waking experiences in sleep. In one key study, rats were observed navigating mazes while their brain activity was recorded. During REM sleep, the rats’ brains fired in nearly identical patterns, suggesting they were mentally retracing their steps. Because dogs and rats share similar hippocampal structures, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning, it’s widely believed that dogs also relive their daily experiences in dreams.
Dr. Stanley Coren, professor emeritus of psychology and expert in canine cognition, notes that the size of your dog might even influence how often they dream. Smaller dogs, like Chihuahuas, tend to dream more frequently (sometimes every ten minutes) while larger breeds, like Labs, drift into longer but less frequent dream cycles.
It’s likely that your dog dreams of you, as experts believe dogs revisit the very things that brought them joy while awake: a game of fetch in the grass, the thrill of a squirrel encounter, a cuddle with someone they love. They carry the emotional rhythms of their day into sleep, reliving moments of movement, curiosity, and connection.
But science only takes us so far. The rest is wonder.
There’s something deeply moving about the idea that dogs have an inner world, full of flickering images and sensations. It’s a world beyond our reach, but not beyond our care. Their dreams may not mirror the complexity of human life (no bills, no taxes, no headlines) but they are rich in feeling, shaped by instinct, memory, and the bonds they hold dear.
So, what does a dog dream of? The scent of something just out of reach? A familiar voice calling from the distance? The feeling of wind on fur, freedom to run? Maybe they dream of simpler things, like a patch of sun, the comfort of their loved ones, the steady rhythm of footsteps beside their own.
Dreaming is not just a side effect of sleep. It’s part of the architecture of healing. It helps regulate mood, file away experiences, and recharge the nervous system. Dogs, like us, need rest not just to survive but to process the life they’re living. In fact, studies show that REM sleep is vital for mental well-being. Depriving dogs of it can lead to signs of anxiety, agitation, and confusion. Just like us, they need time to go inward.
At Happy Tails, we pay attention to these quieter moments. Not everything is play. Not everything is stimulation. True wellness also includes rest, real rest. The kind that unfolds slowly, without interruption. The kind that allows a dog to drift into sleep unbothered, unhurried, and safe enough to dream.
Some choose to sleep inside on the cool floor, stretched long and loose. Others curl into cozy spirals, tucked under the shade of trees. Some seek the company of others, snoozing shoulder to shoulder in silent sunny kinship. For those who prefer a little extra comfort, we offer orthopedic Kuranda beds and cozy memory foam mattresses throughout the indoor spaces, so every dog can rest in the way that suits them best. Whatever form they take, rest is sacred here. And we believe dreams are part of the story.
There’s always something to be learned from our dogs. We humans don’t always rest well. We carry our tension into bed. We try to solve problems in our sleep. We set alarms. But dogs show us another way. They surrender to rest. They don’t wrestle with it. They let go, and let their bodies be held by the earth. It’s not passive, it’s trust. And from that place, dreams come.
We’ll never know exactly what dogs dream of. But perhaps it doesn’t matter. What matters is that they get to. That they’re safe enough, loved enough, and tired enough from a good day of living that their bodies invite them into that dreamspace.
Personally, I think their dreams are full of vibrancy. Of scent. Of movement. Of moments that made them feel alive. If only we could follow them there.
With gentle wonder,
The Happy Tails Team