Why Do Sleeping Dogs Shake

Dogs are truly man’s most loyal and affectionate pets. In silence, dogs have remained the true friends that can be relied on whenever man needs comforting or protection. People choose different animals for a pet but dogs are probably the ones given the most love and care. Keeping a dog can hurt the budget but pet owners are always ready to spend money for the health and the comfort of the pet. However, no one would really know what goes on inside a dog’s head. Dog owners noticing the pet to be off color would worry because dog cannot be asked what ails them.

The bond dogs form with the human family is legendary. While dogs would always want to be by the master’s side, the master would also want to have the pet around at all times. Dogs are considered as the baby of the family and as such all eyes will be turned to the dog. A dog that is considered as the apple of the eye of the master will be watched even when sleeping. A dog owner would worry if the sleeping dog is seen shaking. Seizures are common in dogs thus an owner would worry that the pet is fitting.

The shaking of the sleeping dog can be a symptom of an illness. An uncomfortable feeling can make a sleeping dog shake too. Cold weather can be the reason why the sleeping dog shakes especially if it is not provided with adequate shelter. Sleeping puppies will shake too if they have crawled away from the mother’s warmth.

The dog though may not have a medical concern and the shaking can be attributed to a dream. Dogs have a reputation for being great sleepers. Dogs that are at the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep would dream. Similar to humans, a dreaming dog is said to be relieving experiences.

Humans would talk in their sleep, others would sleep walk. The same thing would happen to dogs. The dreaming dog will be terrified of the giant rabbits thus the dog would shake. Abused dogs are noticed to have more shaking incidents as it is believed that the dog will relieve the traumatic experience while sleeping. Dogs are happy creatures thus it is expected that they will have happy dreams but nightmares will make these animals shake in their sleep too. Although dogs would snap out of the nightmare, your presence would help calm the pet.

Find out more about why dogs shake when they sleep and dog first aid at Sarah’s Dogs.