Why Do Dogs Twitch In Their Sleep?

why do dogs twitch in their sleep
Have you ever stopped to wonder why your dog keeps twitching while sleeping? Chances are your dog is expressing some discomfort, or he just has some interesting dreams. Twitching is a normal behavior in dogs – it can happen anywhere in your dog’s body and doesn’t last long. Here’s everything you need to know about twitching in dogs and how you can be able to minimize the occurrence.

What is Twitching?

Twitching is the involuntary muscle contraction in a dog’s body. A dog’s muscles consist of several fibres that his nerves usually control. Any damage or outside stimulation to a nerve may cause your doggy’s muscle fibres to twitch. Quite a lot of muscle twitches often go unnoticed in our furry friends and aren’t a cause of concern. However, they may indicate a nervous system condition in a few cases, and that’s when you should take your pet to your trusted vet.

Why Dogs Twitch While Asleep

Dogs exhibit the same sleeping behaviors as humans. A dog twitching while fast asleep is a good indicator that they are deep in slumberland. Dogs sleep for approximately 12 to 14 hours a day. And during this time, you may have seen your dog throwing his legs in the air from time to time while dreaming. They sometimes tend to twitch their tails, entire body, or even bark and whimper. Something happens in your furry friend’s head whenever they’re asleep. Dogs also have nightmares like we do. It may be difficult to watch him having a nightmare, but it’s not a good idea to wake him up unless your dog is experiencing some distress. Wake him gently if need be. Call his name softly and do not touch him since you’ll risk getting bitten.

Do Dogs Twitch While They Are Awake?

Dogs twitch while they are asleep and also when fully awake. A twitch once in a while, especially in senior dogs, is no cause for alarm. Outside stimulation such as a sudden encounter with a stranger, fireworks, or thunderstorms can cause a dog to twitch during their waking hours. Assess if the twitching stops as soon as the stimulus leaves. If it does, then your dog was probably reacting to a present situation. Like humans, dogs also twitch whenever they are anxious. Dogs that experience separation anxiety often tremble and twitch multiple times. Significant and extended periods of twitching can be a symptom of poison ingestion, liver and kidney issues, hypothermia, and diabetes. Consult your vet on what you can do to help your furry friend feel comfortable again.

Should You Wake a Twitching Dog?

Dreaming about pleasant things is one thing, but waking a dog with night terrors is another perilous ordeal. Of course, your dog may make you uncomfortable with his barks, tiny howls, whimpers, or sudden movements if you sleep next to him at night. But still, you should not wake a twitching dog unless he is clearly in distress. We can’t know precisely what dogs dream about, but touching him when he’s dreaming may startle him, and depending on what he was dreaming of, your dog may scratch or bite you involuntarily. As mentioned earlier, if you need to wake your dog up, you can call his name gently until he responds. Speak calmly and reassure him that he’s safe and secure if he wakes up startled.

How You Can Minimize Twitching Occurrences?

Ensure that your pup takes enough water, warms up before undertaking a strenuous exercise and cools down afterwards. For dogs with separation anxiety, you can leave him with a mentally stimulating toy like Kong Bamboo Feeder Ball Dog Toy to encourage learning and to spark imagination. You can insert treats such as Absolute Holistic Air Dried Surf & Turf Dog Treats inside the feeder ball. Make sure that your furry friend only gets this special toy and treats when you are not around. Minimize any disturbances and get your dog a pet sitter if he continues to struggle with being alone even after leaving him toys.

When Should You Consult a Vet?

Call your vet immediately if your dog is experiencing a full-body tremor that makes their bodies go rigid and lasts longer than the normal twitch you are used to. Your dog could be having a seizure, and some additional signs to look for include: urinating, bowel movements, development of foams at the mouth, and vomiting. More often, dogs twitch in their sleep because they enjoy a good dream. But it’s always a good move to give your vet a call if you are ever in doubt.

What is the Difference Between Seizures and Twitching in Dogs?

Seizures in dogs occur when they are awake or shortly after waking up. However, some dogs may experience seizures while sleeping. While twitching movements are often intermittent and brief, lasting less than 30 seconds, seizures, on the other hand, tend to be more violent, stiff, and rigid. Dogs may defecate, vomit, or urinate during a seizure, but twitching dogs don’t. You may also notice your dog acting disoriented, panting, and drooling after having a seizure. Twitching dogs only feel startled if they wake up in the middle of their dreams. Your dog may also seem anxious and restless before having a seizure. They also keep their eyes wide open during a seizure- whether awake or asleep. It is also important to note that seizures don’t always have a standard appearance. Sometimes they can manifest as tremors or vocal tics.

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