Do you believe that your 'animal companions' dream when they sleep?

Question

(a.k.a. pets...just being PC :-) )
When our dog is sleeping, I swear he's dreaming about chasing something....his legs go nuts, like he's running. And he barks in his sleep!!
I've read articles that basically say pets don't have the mental capabilities to form thoughts, so therefore they can't dream. I say that's not true! What do you think?

GREAT answers!! :-) I'm a firm believer that pets have an incredible amount of intelligence! (I agree...seems like they have more than some people I know!)

Answer 1

I think that they do dream ..my 2 dogs do the very same thing. I really think people under estimate animals and what they think or know. It's arrogance on humans part to believe we're the only ones on this earth that can put 2 and 2 together. My dogs both have done things I've never taught them and I've had both since they were pups. If they're so stupid as some would have us believe where did it come from....from thought and intelligence I say.

Answer 2

Usually, when animals die, they go into another animal through a process called consumption. In fact, that is a cause for many of the animal deaths in the world. It could even be a human the animal went into after death, especially if the animal in question was very tasty. Sometimes, animals go into the ground when they die, through no choice of their own, and they stay down there and get slowly eaten by decay and worms, beetles, maggots, etc. Occasionally, when a very special animal dies, it will be roasted by fire until it is no more than ash. Sounds like Hell? Nope! On Earth, we call it "cremation". After cremation, little puppy dog, kitty cat, or in some extreme cases, hammy hamster, is placed in a jar or pot. Sometimes, he or she is thrown all over the place, like bright beads at Mardi Gras. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Of course they dream. Ours do the same thing, like they're barking & chasing something. I think the articles you read are full of bologna. As someone close to you can just look at you & read your mind, so can they. They know what U R thinking & sometimes U know what they R thinking.

Answer 4

I know my dog dreams. He barks, whimpers, and growls in his dreams. Sometimes he gets so loud I have to wake him up. He definitely dreams of chasing something because his legs go wild and he wags his tail.

My dog is smarter than some people I know, so I don't believe the article you read.

Answer 5

Yes, sometimes my cat (brownies) twitches with she is sleeping. I just think its the cutest thing ever. I definitely think that pets do form thoughts and have mental capabilities. My cat can open doors and close them. she is really smart. I see her do things sometimes, and you can tell she is trying to figure something out.

Answer 6

If they can think, they can dream. Yeah, my dog dreams a lot.
Just look at your dog when it's asleep and you'll see the eyes move just like we do in REM (not the band) movement

Answer 7

I believe they do dream! Our dog does the same thing. Plus he whimpers in his sleep too, haha! We think he's chasing squirrels.

Answer 8

That article is dumb.

Of course pets think.

They think they have to pee.

They think they want a chew toy.

They learn tricks.

They like you or they don't.

And based on your own observations, it's obvious they are dreaming.

Answer 9

My dog does the same thing! Sure looks like he's dreaming...

Answer 10

I am quite sure that dogs dream. My dogs also "run" and bark in their sleep.

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