• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Dog Care 101
    • Choosing A Dog
    • Dog Breed Selector
    • First Days At Home
    • Good Dog Names
    • Potty Training Dogs
    • Puppyproofing & Dog Safety 101
    • Invisible Fence Reviews
    • Dog Ages/Growth Stages
    • Senior Dog Tips
    • Raising Two Dogs
  • Food & Treats
    • Dog Food Kibble
    • Human Foods For Dogs
    • Changing Food & Feeding Tips
    • Homemade Dog Treats
    • Kong Recipes
  • Dog Health
    • Diarrhea Remedy
    • Human Meds For Dogs
    • Dog Skin Issues
    • Flea & Tick Control
    • Vet Tips For Sick Dogs
    • Emergencies & Vet Bills
    • Dog Surgery & Recovery
    • Dog Died …Or Is Dying
  • Tricks & Training
    • Cool Dog Tricks
    • Dog Communication 101
    • DIY Dog Training Tips
    • Behavior Problems
    • Puppy Biting & Chewing
    • Stop Dog Barking
    • Crate Training & Sleeping Advice
  • Dog Cleaning & Grooming
    • Dog Odors & Stains
    • Dog Shedding & Fur
    • Clean & Treat Dog Ears
    • Dog Baths & Deodorizing
    • Dog Nails & Paw Care
    • Teeth & Mouth Issues
    • How To Care For Dog Eyes
  • Toys & Activities
    • Dog Toys, Games & Enrichment
    • DIY Dog Items
    • Places To Go With Dogs
    • Dog Walking Tips & Accessories
    • Car Rides With Your Dog
    • Free And Fun Stuff For Dog Lovers
  • More
    • Electronics & Gadgets
    • Health & Beauty
    • Hobbies & Crafts
    • Home & Garden
    • Jobs & Money
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Travel

First Time Dog Owner Guide

Real People. Real Experiences. Real Helpful.

a Fun Times Guide site

search

  • New? START HERE!
  • DIY Grooming Tutorials
  • Dog Home Remedies
  • DIY Training Tips
  • Dog Food/Treats
  • Out & About w/Dogs
Home » Home & Garden » Dog Tricks & Training » Crate Training Dogs » Dog Sleep 101: Dreaming, Snoring & Sleeping Dog Patterns Explained

Dog Sleep 101: Dreaming, Snoring & Sleeping Dog Patterns Explained

33 Shares
Pin
Share33
Tweet

We write about products and services that we use. This page may contain affiliate links for which we receive a commission.


sleeping-dog-by-want2know.jpg If you have ever watched a sleeping dog, you may have noticed that the dog appears to be dreaming.

Just like humans, dogs do dream.

 

Types Of Dog Sleep

Dogs have REM sleep (rapid eye movement sleep) just like we do. This is known as the “sleep of the body” phase of dog sleep.

Scientific studies have shown that dogs and cats exhibit eyes twitching, lips moving, and vocalizations, which is part of REM sleep. Source

Dogs also have slow wave sleep (SWS).

Slow wave sleep happens when a dog is first going to sleep.  This is the point where your dog’s thinking is turned off but the muscle tone remains.  This is the “sleep of the mind” phase of dog sleep.

 

My Dogs’ Dreams

I have watched my dogs sleep several times.  I can’t help but wonder what they’re dreaming about.

There have been times when they were sound asleep and all of a sudden one of them started to whimper.  It’s not just a one-time whimper but several whimpers in a row.  I always wonder what they could be dreaming about that causes them to whimper.

I think it’s cute when they start to whimper like that.  I like to think they are back in their puppy stage — dreaming of being in the pack calling for their mother.

 

Dog Sleeping Patterns

It is not unusual for a dog to sleep a lot.

In adult dogs, sleeping patterns will most likely be dependent on the age of the dog and its environment. Counting little naps and longer snoozes, most dogs sleep about 14 hours a day. Some very large breeds of dogs, like Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, and Mastiffs, often spend a great deal of their lives sleeping – perhaps up to 16 or even 18 hours a day. Though it may seem that yours is a “lucky” dog because he gets to sleep 14 hours a day, the truth is that many dogs wake from sleep more often than we humans do.  Source

Most dogs do not sleep through the night.  They will typically be up several times throughout the night.  Moreso than humans.

If your dog is just not sleeping, it could be that he has dog insomnia.  If your dog has insomnia, he may be stressed out, or perhaps he just needs more exercise during the day.

Sometimes it’s difficult to tell if a dog is dreaming or having a seizure.

 

Dog Snoring

Does your dog snore while sleeping?

If your dog is a Pug, a Boxer or a Bulldog (among others), then you probably already know that it’s common for that breed of dog to snore… loudly!

Bulldogs, Pugs, Pekingese, Shih Tzu, English Toy Spaniels, Boston Terriers, Chow Chows, and other dogs  with broad skulls and short muzzles frequently show some degree of airway obstruction, known as brachycephalic syndrome, manifested by mouth breathing, snorting, and snoring. These difficulties become more pronounced when the dog is exercising or is overheated, and tend to get worse as the dog grows older.  Source

If your dog is not a breed that’s prone to snoring, then your dog could have a more serious health problem.  Talk to your vet about this right away.

Another thing that causes dogs to snore is being overweight.  My dog Tosha is a little overweight, and she snores a little.  She is a Min Pin and really should weigh around 10 pounds, but she weighs closer to 12 pounds.

Here are a few other reasons dogs snore:

  • Food allergies – Food allergies causes mucus build up, irritation of airway, swelling of throat.
  • Smoke – Just like people dogs can have a reaction to cigarette smoke.
  • Dry air – Dry air affects the membranes in the nose and throat and causes congestion.
Carrie
Carrie

I have 2 Miniature Pinschers. My husband and I consider them our 4-legged kids.

33 Shares
Pin
Share33
Tweet

Filed Under: Crate Training Dogs, Dog Tricks & Training, Home & Garden Tagged With: Dog Breeds, Sleep Issues With Dogs

Primary Sidebar

About Me

LynnetteI like to help Dog Parents find unique ways to do things that will save time & money -- so I write about "outside the box" Dog Tips and Dog Hacks that most wouldn't think of. I’m a lifelong dog owner -- currently have 2 mixed breed Golden Aussies that we found abandoned on the side of the road as puppies. I've always trained my own dogs and help friends train theirs, as well. Professionally, I worked at a vet and have several friends who are veterinarians -- whom I consult with regularly. (And just because I love animals so much, I also worked at a Zoo for awhile!) I've been sharing my best ideas with others by blogging full-time since 1998 (the same year that Google started... and before the days of Facebook and YouTube). My daily motivation is to help first-time dog owners be better prepared from the first day your new puppy enters your home. I like to help dog owners understand what's 'normal' and what you can expect in terms of living with and training your dog -- how to get through the ups & downs of potty training, chewing, teaching commands, getting your dog to listen, and everything else that takes place during that hectic first year! When I'm not training, walking, grooming, or making homemade treats for my dogs, you will find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites). To date, I've written over 500 articles for dog owners on this site! Many of them have upwards of 200K shares.

Lynnette: View My Blog Posts

Top Searches

Adopting/Rescuing A Dog Canine Cancer Tips Celebrity Dog Owners Chewing & Destructive Behavior Cleaning & Odor Tips For Dog Owners Clothing Shoes Hats & Accessories For Dogs Costs & Expenses For Dog Owners Death And Dying In Dogs Diarrhea In Dogs & Poop Issues DIY Dog Stuff Dog Allergies & Skin Issues Dog Behavior Issues Dog Breeds Dog Food Brands & Human Foods For Dogs Dog Games & Activities Dog Gear & Necessities Dog Grooming Tips Dog Injuries & Emergencies Dog Toys & Dog Chews Dog Tricks To Try Eye Issues With Dogs Feeding Tips For Dogs Fun Stuff For Dog Owners Holiday Dog Tips Home Remedies & Alternative Medicine For Dogs Humanizing Dogs Humor About Dogs Indoor Fun With Dogs Kong Dog Toys & Kong Recipes Labrador Retriever Dogs New Dog Owner Tips Old Dogs / Senior Dogs Outdoor Fun With Dogs Peeing And Housebreaking Tips Pet Hair And Shedding Pet Warnings And Dangers Pictures Of Dogs Reviews Of Dog Products Summer Fun For Dogs Travel Dog Tips Treats & Snacks For Dogs Veterinarian And Expert Dog Tips Videos Of Dogs Vomiting Dogs / When To Induce Vomiting Walking Tips & Leashes For Dogs

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Fun Times Guide logo
Shop Our Favorite Items

Copyright © 2004-2021 The Fun Times Guide | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | Sitemap