Is it OK if my dog twitches in its sleep? During the sleep stages, it’s common and normal for a dog to twitch their tail or their entire body — they may even bark. Think of this as your dog communicating in their sleep. Dogs also twitch during nightmares or night terrors, Tufts University says.
What are dogs dreaming about when they twitch? Probably all of the above. Anything your dog does during the day is being processed while they sleep and relived in dreamtime. Thus the twitching whiskers, the whimpering and the running paws that we commonly observe. Dreaming is your dog’s attempt at understanding the information being processed in the brain.
Why does my dog jerk and twitch while sleeping? Twitches and tremors can originate from muscle or nerves, and can happen at any time. If these jolts happen while your dog is sleeping, it may only be a physical manifestation of a dream.
Should I wake my dog up from a dream? If you believe your dog is having a bad dream, it’s best not to disturb them—even though it may be tempting to wake them up and comfort them. It could take your pet a moment to realise that they are no longer asleep, and you don’t want to risk them lashing out as though still in the dream.