Q&A for How to Know If Your Dog Is Dreaming

Seizures show symptoms like: losing consciousness, collapsing to the ground, falling to the side, paddling limbs, jerking, tremors, twitching, stiffening limbs and muscles, drooling or foaming at mouth, and chomping and tongue chewing. They will frequently defecate or urinate during a seizure.

Seizures show symptoms like: losing consciousness, collapsing to the ground, falling to the side, paddling limbs, jerking, tremors, twitching, stiffening or limbs and muscles, drooling or foaming at mouth, and tongue chewing. They will frequently defecate or urinate during a seizure.

Dreaming is a way of processing sights, sounds, and experiences that the dog encountered during the day. We can't know for sure, but it seems likely that dogs dream about doggy things such as chasing a ball, barking at intruders, or even suckling milk from their mother.

Sometimes a dog having a particularly exciting dream that involves chasing can look a bit like a dog having a seizure. Whereas a dog having a dream is nothing to worry about, if your dog has a seizure then afterwards, he should see a vet. In both cases (whether its a dream or a seizure) do not wake or disturb the dog. If you are unsure which is which, then video the event on your smartphone and show it to the vet.

Look for signs of distress in their body language and whether they seem agitated or not. Dogs can have nice or nasty dreams just like people.

No, leave them to sleep. Dogs have similar sleep patterns to people and dreaming is a normal part of how they process what happened during the day.

Bad dreams tend to include barking, growling or changes of facial expression. The dog's body will be mostly relaxed, with just the paws moving. However, a seizure is more generalized with all the muscles tense.

Seizures are quite distinctive and, once seen, are never forgotten. They are much more violent than a bad dream. If you are in doubt, video the episode and show it to a vet.