Do Dogs and Cats Dream?

Studies of animals' brain waves and eye motions during sleep now reveal that dogs and cats also experience REM sleep (a period of heightened brain activity that enables dreaming) in which they dream very much the same way we do.

But while our dreams occur about every 90 minutes (an hour and a half), dogs' dreams occur about every 20 minutes; cats dream about every 15 minutes! (the smaller the animal, the more frequent the dreaming).

What do pets dream about? No one knows for sure (or certain), but most likely it's about things they do during waking hours (playing with toys-or you!-and chasing other creatures).

How can you tell of (or when) furry beloved's dreaming? Look for any twitches and listen for any noise. Also watch for eye movement under the lids (dreaming will usually begin within 20 minutes of falling asleep).

The fact that our pets dream shows that there are a lot more similarities between the consciousnesses than there are differences (but pet owners already long knew this!).

When training a cat to learn a trick or behavior, bear in mind that cats aren't motivated by praise-only by treats. You have to reward the cat with food every time you teach something new.

Cats can sleep in over 100 positions-more than any other mammals-and thanks to their superior flexibility, they wake up without a crick in their necks!

If a dog nudges you in the crotch, he's just trying to get to know your scent.

The three best ways to say "I Love You" to your pet:

Use baby talk-This reminds your pet of when they were babies and were cherished.

Establishing eye contact-To your pet, it's a sign that you're paying special attention to them.

Getting down to their level-It shows that you're really trying to understand them.

Many dog owners say they can tell by the tone of their dog's bark whether a friend or a stranger is approaching the house.

Tail wagging doesn't always mean your dog's happy. If his tail wags quickly but it's kept low, that means furry beloved's stressed out.

If your dog is upset or worried, he'll attempt to lick your lips just as he licked his mother's when demanding food and attention.

When your dog rolls onto his back, baring his belly, it's an act of submission (and trust!). He's letting you know that you're in charge and he's the helpless "puppy."