If you have ever watched your dog twitching or chattering while sleeping, you may wonder if they are dreaming. Dogs might not be as creative with their imagination, but can they dream like us? And what would they dream about?
"Research suggests that dogs do dream,"Adem Fehmi, a canine behaviourist tells Country Living. "If you own a dog, you may sometimes see their face or body twitch when asleep, or even (if like my old dog Yogi!) kick their legs around in their sleep as if running!"
What are the signs dogs are dreaming?
- You may see their eyes moving behind their eyelids and they may even make noises
- Muscle movements, such as paddling and twitching
- Growling
- Whimpering
- Moving their legs as if they are running
Kate Costaras, a vet at Joii in partnership with Animal Friends pet insurance, tells us: "What a dog dreams about is unfortunately a mystery, but you might be able to guess depending on how they are acting when they are asleep. Perhaps their paddling feet indicate they are dreaming about chasing a ball in the park, or their whimpering indicates they are dreaming about food. Unfortunately we will never know."
What do dogs dream about?
Some of the things dogs may dream about include:
- Replaying moments from their day
- Dreaming of their favourite activities
- Playing with toys
- Chasing a ball
- Eating a good meal
- Chasing birds
- Running after squirrels
"It is not known for certain, but it is thought that dogs dream just like us, perhaps replaying moments from their day or dreaming of favourite activities such as chasing their favourite toy in the garden or house," Adem adds.
If you think your dog is dreaming, it's important to leave them sleeping. It is thought that dogs' dreams are of equal importance to their wellbeing, so try not to disturb them – even if you think they are having a bad dream.
"Try not to disturb your dog when they're dreaming," Adem continues. "If you are concerned and feel like you must intervene, use your voice only, be calm, and give them lots of space. Remember that dogs may be shocked and react if suddenly disturbed."
12 dog toy boxes to keep your pet’s toys neat and tidy
This large wooden crate is perfect for storing larger toys or a whole host of smaller ones. We think the paw shaped cutout design adds a nice decorative touch, making this an ideal option to keep on display. Our pick is the brown version, but it also comes in a more minimal grey hue if you prefer. For dinky-sized dogs try the smaller size, which has adequate storage space, too.
This simple toy basket can be personalised with the name of your pooch with three sizes and two colours to choose from. Crafted from cotton, it features sturdy rope handles so you can move it around easily. We think it would make a thoughtful gift for a dog owner, too.
We love a good jute storage basket for storing a whole range of different things in our home, so of course we had to include a jute dog toy storage option.
Available in grey, brown or blue colourways, this fun linen storage box will save you from tripping over your dog's toys or belongings. It's also fantastic for storing rolled up pet blankets as it will slot neatly onto most shelves. It’s also a great space-saving option as it’s fully collapsible so you can fold it down and pack away if needed.
This toy organiser box will allow you to store all of your dog’s favourite games in one place. Handmade from pine wood, it’s a super stylish storage solution to keep your pups toys tucked away neatly. We think this will look great everywhere, but particularly in rustic-inspired interior schemes.
We're big fans of this bone shaped storage basket from Next. The rattan material suits a range of different interior styles.
This simple cotton bag is made of a durable canvas and is a brilliant option for puppies or smaller dogs, whose toys tend to be a little bit smaller.
If you're looking for a personalised option, we love this wooden crate from Not On The High Street. You can choose to add two different lines of text and, if you're shopping for a cat as well as a dog, you can change the bone engraving to a fish logo.
Support a small local business with this handmade seagrass dog toy basket from Etsy. We love the neutral colours.
This shabby chic wooden dog toy storage box would look great in beachy or minimalist decors. It also comes in three sizes: small, medium and large.
This canvas toy basket is ideal for storing some of their most loved stuffed animals and squeaker toys. We like the forest green shade of this particular basket.
With lots of 5 star reviews, this sturdy cotton rope storage basket is machine washable and would work in a variety of different rooms in your home.
Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
