Do Pets (Dogs & Cats) Dream or Have Nightmares?

Yes, cats and dogs definitely dream—just like we do. If you've ever watched BonBoneh while she’s sleeping, you might have noticed her little paws twitching, her whiskers quivering, or even a tiny muffled meow escaping. That’s a good sign she’s off in dreamland, probably chasing a toy mouse or exploring some imaginary adventure.

Scientists have actually studied this and found that cats and dogs go through REM sleep, the stage where dreaming happens. Their brain activity during this phase looks a lot like ours when we dream, which means they’re likely replaying parts of their day—whether it’s a fun game, a cuddle session, or even something a bit stressful.

And yes, they can have nightmares too. If a dog or cat has been through something scary, like a bad encounter with another animal or even just a loud, unsettling noise, it might creep into their dreams. You might hear whimpering, growling, or see them suddenly jerk in their sleep. The best thing to do? Let them wake up on their own. Waking them suddenly can startle them, and they might react defensively.

For BonBoneh, she’s probably too pampered to have anything but sweet dreams (lucky girl!). But if she ever wakes up startled, just giving her a gentle, reassuring presence—maybe a soft stroke or speaking to her calmly—can help her feel safe again.

This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here