What do pets dream about? Do they dream of you?
Aradhana Jha | TimesPets Bureau | Feb 25, 2026, 16:38 IST
What do pets dream about? Do they dream of you?
You’ve likely observed your pet sleeping and wondered what’s happening behind those shut eyes. Your dog’s legs begin paddling as if he’s chasing after something in a meadow. A gentle bark is let out. Your cat’s whiskers begin twitching, her ears perk up ever so slightly, and her body begins to shift as if she’s stalking prey. It’s cute, but it’s also confusing. What are they seeing? What are they feeling? And somewhere in this silent world of dreams, are you there too?
You’ve likely observed your pet sleeping and wondered what’s happening behind those shut eyes. Your dog’s legs begin paddling as if he’s chasing after something in a meadow. A gentle bark is let out. Your cat’s whiskers begin twitching, her ears perk up ever so slightly, and her body begins to shift as if she’s stalking prey. It’s cute, but it’s also confusing. What are they seeing? What are they feeling? And somewhere in this silent world of dreams, are you there too?
Science has found that pets do indeed dream. Dogs and cats, just like humans, go through the stages of sleep, which is the stage of sleep where vivid dreams occur. Studies of brain activity in dogs during the REM stage of sleep have found that dogs’ brains are active in ways that are highly suggestive of dreaming. In other words, when your dog’s legs begin moving as if he’s running, it’s not just random muscle activity. Chances are, he’s dreaming.
What makes this phenomenon even more interesting is the similarity between the emotional centers of their brains and our own. The limbic system, which is responsible for processing emotions, functions in much the same way in both humans and dogs. This means that when your pet experiences joy, fear, bonding, or excitement, it’s a real experience for him. Dreaming is probably an important part of that processing, just as it is for us.
Most experts think that animals dream about their everyday experiences. For dogs, this could mean reliving a walk in the park, playing with a ball, or listening to a familiar voice. For cats, it could mean stalking prey, climbing, or exploring. Their dreams are likely to be simple and sensory, reliving things they have done or experienced.
You are a key part of your pet’s daily life. You are the one who feeds them, talks to them, comforts them, plays with them, and establishes their daily routine. For many pets, the world revolves around their human. From a neurological standpoint, it only makes sense that such an important person shows up in their dreams. If children dream about their parents and people dream about the people they care about, then why wouldn’t pets dream about the people they care about?
Perhaps that wagging tail in your sleep or the serene look on your pet’s face can be attributed to a comforting memory maybe sitting with you, listening to your voice, or waiting for your return. Dogs, in particular, have an emotional connection that doesn’t just turn off when they go to sleep.
However, not all dreams are sweet. Just like us, pets can probably have nightmares too. Pets that have experienced trauma or fear can relive those moments in their sleep. If your pet suddenly lets out a whimper or growl in their sleep, it might be working through something disturbing. In such cases, the best way to wake them up is by calling their name.
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Science has found that pets do indeed dream. Dogs and cats, just like humans, go through the stages of sleep, which is the stage of sleep where vivid dreams occur. Studies of brain activity in dogs during the REM stage of sleep have found that dogs’ brains are active in ways that are highly suggestive of dreaming. In other words, when your dog’s legs begin moving as if he’s running, it’s not just random muscle activity. Chances are, he’s dreaming.
What makes this phenomenon even more interesting is the similarity between the emotional centers of their brains and our own. The limbic system, which is responsible for processing emotions, functions in much the same way in both humans and dogs. This means that when your pet experiences joy, fear, bonding, or excitement, it’s a real experience for him. Dreaming is probably an important part of that processing, just as it is for us.
Most experts think that animals dream about their everyday experiences. For dogs, this could mean reliving a walk in the park, playing with a ball, or listening to a familiar voice. For cats, it could mean stalking prey, climbing, or exploring. Their dreams are likely to be simple and sensory, reliving things they have done or experienced.
You are a key part of your pet’s daily life. You are the one who feeds them, talks to them, comforts them, plays with them, and establishes their daily routine. For many pets, the world revolves around their human. From a neurological standpoint, it only makes sense that such an important person shows up in their dreams. If children dream about their parents and people dream about the people they care about, then why wouldn’t pets dream about the people they care about?
Perhaps that wagging tail in your sleep or the serene look on your pet’s face can be attributed to a comforting memory maybe sitting with you, listening to your voice, or waiting for your return. Dogs, in particular, have an emotional connection that doesn’t just turn off when they go to sleep.
However, not all dreams are sweet. Just like us, pets can probably have nightmares too. Pets that have experienced trauma or fear can relive those moments in their sleep. If your pet suddenly lets out a whimper or growl in their sleep, it might be working through something disturbing. In such cases, the best way to wake them up is by calling their name.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Spiritual, Travel, Life Hacks, Trending, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!