Ever wondered why your dog makes strange noises while sleeping? Perhaps you’ve noticed them barking, growling, whimpering, or even howling during sleep.
Let’s explore these sleep sounds and understand their meanings by delving into some of the best studies on canine sleep and expert sources on canine behavior.
Why Dogs Bark and Growl During Sleep:
Similar to humans, dogs go through different sleep stages in their sleep cycle. Sometimes, they are in deep sleep, while at other times, they exhibit much more brain activity, suggesting they dream like us. Let’s take a closer look.
Dreams and REM Sleep:
Like humans, dogs experience different stages of sleep, including REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. During REM sleep, when humans experience dreams, dogs are active and emit sounds and movements. EEG scans show that their brains are almost as active as when they are awake, but their brain signals paralyze their muscles, called muscle atonia, to prevent them from physically acting out dreams.
However, muscle atonia is not always complete, so dogs still make some sounds and movements. It’s quite similar to humans talking in their sleep.
These movements include twitching, leg kicking, and vocalizing, such as barking or growling. We can’t prove that dogs dream, but current evidence suggests that they do. Therefore, when dogs make sounds during sleep, they might be reenacting something they dream about, like chasing a ball or having exciting adventures.
If dogs dream, it follows that they might have nightmares. This means that growling or barking during sleep could indicate that the dog is dreaming about something threatening, like an intruder.
Emotional Stressors:
The possibility of canine nightmares raises the question of whether anxiety can cause them in dogs, much like in humans. It’s highly likely that dogs, like us, can experience emotional stressors that affect their sleep.
Studies from NCBI have shown that dogs who sleep less struggle with more behavioral problems. Just like us, anxious or stressed dogs may have a harder time sleeping and, when they do, may have nightmares, just like us.
Emotional stressors may include anxiety, fear, or changes in their environment. These stressors may manifest during sleep as crying, whimpering, or even howling.
Providing a calm and safe environment, along with regular exercise and mental stimulation, can help reduce emotional stress and promote better sleep.
Medical Conditions:
It’s essential to consider that certain medical conditions can contribute to the noises dogs make during sleep. Canine cognitive decline (similar to dementia in humans) can lead to sleep disturbances and vocalizations during sleep.
Chronic pain from conditions like arthritis or other illnesses can also cause discomfort and result in sleep-related noises. If you notice your dog constantly making distressing sounds or displaying unusual behavior during sleep, consulting a veterinarian can help identify and treat any underlying medical conditions.
Why Dogs Cry During Sleep:
Sometimes, you may notice your dog crying during sleep, which can be a bit concerning. Dogs can have dreams or nightmares, just like us. If your dog cries during sleep, it may be a reaction to something they encountered during the day or an emotional experience.
A Pet Camera can help monitor your dog while you’re away and check if they are crying while asleep. This is especially useful if you suspect a more sinister problem, such as seizures, which we’ll discuss next.
Why Dogs Howl During Sleep:
Have you ever heard your dog howl at night or noticed them howling during sleep? During the day, dogs howl for various reasons, including communication with other dogs or expressing their emotions.
Dogs howl when they hear high-pitched noises like an ambulance or other dogs howling, or they may howl to ask for help. You often hear this when a separation-anxious dog starts howling after their owner leaves or a puppy gets lost and can’t find its littermates. It’s a way of sounding the alarm and asking for help.
This may give us a clue as to why dogs howl during sleep. They may be dreaming of being part of a pack and howling in unison. Or it could mean that, in their dream, they feel lonely and are asking for help.
Why Does My Dog Whimper and Moan During Sleep:
Sometimes, dogs may whimper or moan during sleep, which none of us likes to witness. It’s important to note that occasional whimpering or moaning during sleep is normal. However, if it becomes excessive or your dog appears uncomfortable, it’s best to consult your veterinarian.
Occasionally, a strange howl or moan may indicate a neurological problem. Dogs with epilepsy may howl or cry during sleep during a seizure. It’s a deeply disturbing sound that could mean anything from a seizure to meningitis.
Having an Emergency Fund for unexpected veterinarian bills can provide financial support for situations like these. If your dog suddenly falls ill and emits unusual sounds that could be from a seizure, stroke, or similar problem, you don’t want the looming threat of imminent vet bills to deter you from seeking immediate help.
Should I Wake My Dog If They Bark During Sleep?
In general, it’s best to let your dog sleep and not disturb them while they’re dreaming. They’ll likely settle down on their own. You can wake them if you suspect a medical problem or if they seem in extreme distress. Otherwise, let the sleep cycle take its natural course so they can process waking memories and experiences.
Why Doesn’t My Dog Sleep at Night?
There could be several reasons why your dog has trouble sleeping at night. It could be due to environmental noise, anxiety, or cognitive decline, especially in older dogs. Providing a calm and comfortable sleeping environment can help address these issues.
Why Does My Dog Get Anxious at Night?
Just like some humans, dogs can feel anxiety, and it may be more pronounced at night when they can hear other dogs barking. Older dogs may also have more trouble sleeping as they age. Creating a calming bedtime routine and ensuring they have enough physical and mental stimulation during the day can help alleviate nighttime anxiety.
Conclusion:
Dogs have active dream lives, and their sleep sounds like barking, growling, crying, and howling are a normal part of their sleep cycle. By understanding and observing these behaviors, we can better appreciate our furry friends’ dreams and ensure their overall well-being during sleep.