What happens when a dog sleeps？

On quiet nights, as the world gradually sinks into dreamland, the little balls of fur at home - our dogs - slowly close their eyes and enter a dream world of their own. A dog's sleep is not only a critical time for physical recovery and energy reserves, but also a reflection of their mood, health and even behavioral patterns. Understanding the changes that occur when dogs sleep will not only help us take better care of them, but also deepen our understanding and love for these loyal companions. Next, let's explore the mystery of dog sleep.

First, the basic characteristics of dog sleep

1. Sleep cycle
Dog sleep is similar to human sleep and is divided into several stages such as light sleep, deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. These stages cycle throughout the night, with each cycle lasting from a few minutes to several hours. In the REM sleep stage, the dog's eyeballs will rotate rapidly, the body is still but the muscles will occasionally twitch, this is when they dream.

2. Sleep environment
Dogs tend to sleep in a quiet, warm, familiar and safe environment. A comfortable kennel or bed and moderate room temperature are important factors in ensuring they sleep well.

II. Health-related signs
1. Breathing and heartbeat
Smooth Breathing: A healthy dog should breathe evenly and smoothly while sleeping. If the dog is short of breath, difficult to breathe or accompanied by abnormal sounds (such as snoring too severely), it may be a sign of respiratory disease, heart problems or obesity and other health hazards.
Normal Heart Rate: Adult dogs usually have a quiet heart rate between 60-140 beats per minute, depending on their size, age and breed. During sleep, the heart rate usually decreases slightly. If the heart rate increases or decreases abnormally, attention should be paid and prompt medical attention should be sought.
2. Sleeping position and body position
Relaxed Sleeping Position: When a dog is in deep sleep, its body usually appears to be in a relaxed state, with its limbs naturally stretched out or curled up in a ball. If your dog changes sleeping positions frequently or stays in an unnatural position for a long time, it may be a sign of discomfort or pain.
Protective Sleeping Positions (e.g. curled up in a ball, with the back to the owner, etc.): These sleeping positions may reflect the dog's uneasiness or fear, but it is normal for them to occur occasionally. If they occur for a long period of time, the dog's psychological state and environmental factors should be taken into account.
3. Performance in dreams
Twitching of limbs and turning of eyes: As mentioned earlier, the REM sleep stage is the time for dogs to dream, and at this time they may have slight twitching of limbs and rapid turning of eyes. These are normal physiological phenomena and nothing to worry about. However, if the twitching is too intense or frequent, it may be a sign of neurological abnormalities or epilepsy.
Noises: Dogs may make noises such as whimpering in their dreams, which is usually a natural reaction to the different situations they experience in their dreams. However, if the noises are persistent and accompanied by an obvious expression of discomfort, it may be a sign of a nightmare or pain.
4. Sleep duration and quality
Adequate sleep time: The need for sleep varies between different ages, sizes and breeds, but in general, adult dogs need 12-14 hours of sleep per day (including night and daytime naps). Puppies and older dogs may need more. If a dog is chronically sleep deprived, it can affect its growth, development, immunity and emotional stability.
Quality Sleep: Quality sleep means that your dog is able to enter the deep sleep stage quickly and is able to rest and recover adequately throughout the sleep cycle. This helps to boost your dog's immunity, alertness and reaction time. On the contrary, if your dog wakes up frequently and sleeps restlessly, it may be due to factors such as environmental disturbances.
5. Wake up performance
Full of energy: After a good night's sleep, dogs should wake up refreshed and energized. They will sniff around, interact with people, etc., showing their anticipation and curiosity for the new day.
Normal appetite: A healthy dog will wake up with a normal appetite, willing to eat breakfast and enjoy tasty treats. If the dog wakes up with a loss of appetite or refuses to eat, it may be a sign of physical discomfort or emotional problems.
Suggestions to improve your dog's sleep quality
1. Create a comfortable sleeping environment
Keep the room quiet, warm and well ventilated.
Provide a soft and comfortable bed or kennel for your dog.
2. Reasonable diet and exercise
Make sure your dog gets a balanced nutritional intake.
Arrange a moderate amount of exercise every day to help your dog burn off energy and promote sleep.
Be careful not to have dinner too late and not to eat too much to avoid affecting the quality of sleep.
3. Pay attention to your dog's mental health
Interact, play and communicate with your dog more often to enhance mutual affection.
Provide enough toys and entertainment facilities to keep your dog happy and relaxed even when he is alone.