Sleep Twitches: Why Dogs Move at Night

In the middle of the night, while your dog is sleeping, you want them to be as calm, peaceful, and happy as possible. However, if you notice them twitching and moving around in their sleep, this doesn’t seem to be the case. 

Why do dogs twitch in their sleep? Are these sleep twitches normal? Is your dog comfortable sleeping while they are twitching? Should you do something? 

If these questions have run through your mind, keep reading. This article will address them and more details relating to sleep twitches. 

Should You Worry About Dog Sleep Twitches?

In general, you don’t need to worry when your dog twitches in their sleep. Like dog yawns or pre-bedtime rituals, this is a completely natural behavior that simply relates to the way dogs sleep. Even if it is accompanied by larger movements or barking, it usually isn’t a cause for concern. 

The only exception to this rule comes from dog seizures. These are relatively uncommon and look very different from normal sleep twitches. However, they are extremely serious and, thus, need to be taken seriously. 

Related: Why Dogs Whine: Understanding Canine Communication

Dog Sleep Explained

To understand why dogs twitch in their sleep, it is important to understand the details surrounding the way dogs sleep. This starts with understanding their sleep cycles. 

Like most other animals, dogs sleep in cycles. This means that their bodies go through a predictable pattern of activities that repeat over and over again throughout the night. This pattern starts with non-REM sleep, which is essentially just normal sleep. It continues with REM sleep, which is the sleep where dreams occur. It concludes with a period of sleep that is more wakeful. Then, the process starts all over again. 

In dogs, this entire process only lasts about 45 minutes. In humans, it can be around double that time. So, dogs jump from non-REM sleep to REM sleep to wakefulness much faster than humans. This means that they are generally not as deep sleepers as humans are. 

Why Do Dogs Twitch in Their Sleep?

Problems that lead to twitching in sleep start with the pons, a section of the brain. This section of the brain houses the reticular activating system (RAS), which is responsible for helping the body transition from being asleep to being awake. To do this, it helps shut the body down during sleep. This prevents the body from acting out dreams or moving much at all. 

However, the short length of dog sleep cycles makes it hard for this process to occur as precisely as it needs to. Quick transitions from periods of dreaming into periods of wakefulness blur the lines between these two periods. The RAS occasionally makes mistakes and starts allowing movement during REM sleep rather than reserving it for periods of wakefulness. 

This is why you will see your dog twitching in their sleep. They are simply acting out their dream because their brain is allowing them to move. While this shouldn’t happen in an ideal scenario, it is completely harmless. Typically, the system will regulate itself shortly after this problem occurs and return to normal in no time. 

Does your dog have trouble calming down to sleep at night? Try our calming hemp oil to see if it can help.

Twitching vs. Seizures

While it is completely harmless for your dog to twitch during their sleep, seizures are anything but harmless. You need to know the difference between twitches and seizures so that you can know the difference between a harmless activity and a dangerous one. 

The best way to tell the difference is through the length of the activity. As previously mentioned, sleep twitches are generally short. They will end in about 30 seconds. However, seizures can last anywhere between one to two minutes. So, if you notice a long period of twitching, it may be a seizure rather than regular twitching. 

The best way to get a diagnosis is to reach out to your veterinarian. Take a video of your dog sleeping until you have at least one video of their twitching. Bring this video to your vet so that they can look at it. This will allow them to observe your pet’s behavior directly, as it is unlikely you will be able to get your dog to exhibit the exact behavior in the vet’s office. 

Related: Belly Rubs Explained: Why Dogs Adore Them

Better Sleep for Your Dog

If you are still worried about your dog’s sleep habits, you can take steps to improve the quality of sleep your dog is getting. This will give them a better night’s sleep and allow them to be more rested overall. This has the potential to cascade down into other positive effects like making them happier, making them more energetic, or making them more likely to participate in walks. 

You can start improving your dog’s sleep by paying attention to their behavior in general. Watch out for issues that plague them during the day, as these are likely to impact their sleep as well. For example, if you notice your dog is very nervous and anxious during the day, they will likely carry this over into their sleep as well. You may want to consider using a calming herbal oil to help them reduce their anxiety. In addition, if they are walking with a limp, they are likely dealing with pain that will disrupt their sleep. In any case, you will want to address the issue they are dealing with to address their sleeping problems. 

You should also pay attention to your dog’s sleeping situation. Make sure that their bed is comfortable and that they aren’t just sleeping on a hard surface. In addition, make sure they are sleeping in a place that isn’t making them nervous. Improving your dog’s sleeping situation will help them rest easier. 

Want to help your clients’ dogs calm down before they go to sleep? Find out how you can help by becoming a Rooted Owl veterinary partner. 

Calming Hemp Oil

If you want another way to give your dog an amazing night’s sleep, you should look toward some of the products from Rooted Owl. Our calming hemp oil contains a mix of powerful, natural ingredients. With THC, terpenes, and ashwagandha all at play, you may end up relying on this product every night to help calm your pup and let them get the rest they need. 

The Mystery of Dog Sleep Twitches

Dogs twitch while they sleep because of the transition between dreams and wakefulness. This is completely normal and simply occurs as part of their natural sleeping process. As long as they aren’t experiencing seizures, this is nothing to worry about. 

Related: When Old Dogs Stop Eating: Understanding the Reasons and Taking Action