Should I wake up dog when dreaming?

When your dogs dream and start shaking, waking them might not be a good idea, as it is part of their sleep cycle. Aside from interrupting their rest, you can startle or disorient them. However, if they dream intensely, you can try to wake them up by gently touching them.

Why do dogs shake when dreaming?

Muscle activation & relaxation

Yes, dogs shake, too, when dreaming.

Like their "hoomans," dogs have the capability to shake when they are dreaming. 

There can be many reasons why this happens to them, but one can be muscle activation and relaxation.

As dogs sleep, they sometimes reach a dreaming phase, also called rapid eye movement sleep, and this results in a dog's muscles relaxing and then sporadically activating.

As this phase happens, and the dog's brain starts to process the dream, this can result in some twitches and shaking movements.

So, like humans who twitch or move when sleeping, it can happen to dogs, too.

Emotional processing

If you think dogs do not have any emotions, then think again. 

Like us, their owners, our dogs also have emotions and can process them, even when dreaming.

When dogs shake in their sleep, it can be that they are dreaming and processing those emotions in their waking lives.

Dogs can even have intense dreams, and this may be from their daily interactions, experiences, and emotions.

Shaking or twitching as they dream in their sleep is their way to release tension and not just process their emotions during their wake hours.

Instinctual responses

The third reason why your dogs shake when they dream is because of their instinctual responses.

When dogs make movements, such as twitches or shaking while asleep, that could be because of their instinctual behaviors.

When dogs dream of chasing their prey or playing with other dogs, they might shake or twitch. 

Although this behavior is similar to the dog instincts from the old days, they can still have this type of behavior even when they are already domesticated animals.

How to tell if dog is dreaming or having a seizure?

Have you seen your dog shaking or twitching when sleeping recently?

Are you worried that they may be having a seizure and not just dreaming?

If you are unsure, there are some ways you can differentiate a dog dreaming and having a seizure.

With dogs dreaming, they may show signs, such as:

• Twitching
• Whimpering
• Paddling of legs similar to running

Dogs' facial expressions can also change; they usually make soft vocalizations when dreaming.

When dogs are dreaming, they can still be responsive when you gently touch or call them by their name.

On the other hand, a dog that is having a seizure will show more uncontrolled and intense movements, such as:

• Convulsions
• Paddling
• Thrashing

They usually lose their consciousness, and their eyes may even roll back.

They can be unresponsive, and their muscles may start to get stiff.

Sometimes, dogs that are having seizures will drool excessively, too.

Seizures can last from a few seconds to even several minutes.

If you suspect that your dogs are experiencing seizures, you should bring them to a veterinarian to check them out.