Do cats dream?

Cats are the most famous sleepyheads among warm-blooded domestic pets. On average, they spend their sleep in the kingdom of Morpheus. 15-18 Hours a day. But what's really interesting is: are they just sleeping, or do cats actually dream? Are they simply resting and recuperating? Or maybe they do dream, just like people?

Content

1 A little about the dream itself
2 Do cats dream?

A little about the dream itself

It's no wonder scientists study sleep by connecting sensors and various monitors to sleeping cats, as even the sleepiest pets are very similar to humans. These studies have shown that even while resting, cats exhibit high levels of brain activity, no less than when awake. However, no living creature can survive without sleep; without it, it's simply impossible to replenish the energy expended during the day.

There are several phases of sleep: light (REM) and deep (NREM). During the light phase, the body prepares for rest. However, even as the animal prepares for sleep, its nervous excitability is at its peak. Any rustling or sound during this period of falling asleep causes the cat to jump, ready to run or defend itself. The light phase typically lasts 10-15 minutes. You can notice how tense the pet is, and the muscles of the neck, head, and limbs are tense.

But as soon as the deep phase sets in, the muscles relax. You can see the body go limp, the muscles lose tone, and the eyeballs, closed by the eyelids, begin to move. It is this eye movement that indicates the cat is dreaming.

Even if something wakes a pet in deep sleep, they won't jump up and run immediately. Awakening is slow and gradual. If your cat wakes up on their own, you'll notice them lazily and blissfully stretching and licking themselves.

Don't wake your pet abruptly unless absolutely necessary. Remember when someone "pulls" you out of sleep, how your heart rate quickens, and you feel panic and fear. A suddenly awakened animal experiences the same thing.

Do cats dream?

Now let's move on to the question itself: do cats dream? Yes, cats and dogs, like humans, are capable of seeing images during sleep—dreams. Of course, we can only guess what our pets observe while resting. Perhaps hunting for mice, butterflies, or buzzing insects. Or perhaps walking outside? Perhaps even the opposite sex, courting them—who knows?

If a cat is having a nightmare, you can notice how it nervously twitches its tail, moves its paws, and may even hiss or scratch.

If your cat experiences such restless dreams quite frequently, it would be a good idea to take him to the veterinarian to rule out head injuries (bruises, concussions, or tumors), which could be causing such nervous dreams.

Much also depends on the animal's age. For example, tiny kittens (up to a month old) don't dream at all, and they don't sleep for as long as their adult siblings—only 12 hours. As they mature, the animal may enter a deep sleep phase. And by the time they reach three months of age, a kitten can see full pictures, just like its mother and father.

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