Your daily dose of doggy goodness!
Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!
Dog(s) of the Day:
Asia
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Meme of the day: It’s so chilly!
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The Secret Adventures of a Sleeping Pup: Do Dogs Actually Dream?
If you’ve ever sat by your dog’s bed while they napped, you’ve likely seen the performance. First comes the twitch of a paw, then a frantic fluttering of the eyelids, followed by a muffled "woof" that sounds like it’s coming from another dimension.
It’s one of the most endearing sights in the world, and it leaves every pet parent asking the same question: Are they chasing a squirrel in their sleep, or just dreaming about the delivery driver?
The short answer is a resounding yes. Science confirms that our furry best friends have inner lives just as vivid as our own.
The Science of Doggy Dreams
Just like humans, dogs go through various stages of sleep. The magic happens during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.
Brain Wave Patterns: Research using electroencephalograms (EEGs) shows that when dogs sleep, their brain activity looks remarkably similar to ours. When they hit that deep REM cycle, their brains are firing off signals just as they do when they’re awake and playing.
The "Safety Switch": Humans have a part of the brain called the pons that paralyzes our large muscles so we don’t act out our dreams. Dogs have this too, but in puppies and seniors, the pons isn't quite as effective—which is why you see more "running" and twitching in younger and older dogs.
What Are They Dreaming About?
While we can’t exactly ask them for a morning report, researchers have a pretty good guess based on their daytime behavior.
Since dogs are masters of scent and movement, they are likely replaying their day. If your Pointer spent the afternoon at the park, they are likely "pointing" at a dream-bird. If your Golden Retriever spent the day playing fetch, they are probably catching that same yellow ball over and over in their mind.
Fun Fact: Size matters when it comes to dreaming! Small dogs (like Chihuahuas) tend to have shorter, more frequent dreams—sometimes every ten minutes. Large dogs (like Great Danes) have fewer dreams, but they last much longer.
Should You Wake a Dreaming Dog?
We’ve all seen our pups let out a little whimper or a sad cry in their sleep and felt the urge to comfort them. However, the adage "let sleeping dogs lie" is actually sound medical advice.
Interrupting a dog during REM sleep can be startling. If they are in the middle of a particularly intense dream, they may wake up disoriented or frightened, leading to an accidental nip or scratch. If you absolutely must wake them, try calling their name softly from a distance rather than touching them.
Signs Your Dog Is in "Dreamland"
The Quivering Whisker: Their senses are firing off in response to "imaginary" smells.
The Sleep-Talk: Muffled barks, growls, or even howling.
The Paddle: Rhythmic leg movements as if they are sprinting through a field.
Irregular Breathing: Short breaths followed by long pauses.
The Bottom Line
Knowing that our dogs dream adds a beautiful layer to the bond we share. It reminds us that they aren't just "pets"—they are complex, emotional beings who value their time with us so much that they literally relive it in their sleep. So, the next time you see your dog’s paws moving at a mile a minute while they snooze, just smile. They’re probably finally catching that squirrel they’ve been eyeing all week.
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Dog Food and Supplement Recalls
Here are the recent recalls and advisories:
Bonnihill Farms (Fromm Family Foods) - BeefiBowls Beef Recipe gently cooked frozen dog food, 16 oz. chubs for potential plastic contamination
Foodynamics - Freeze Dried Pet Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Nature’s Own - Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Family Photo of the Day:
Pearl!
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We want to feature your pup!
We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.
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Meme of the day - Instagram: @mikkomorkie
