Why do dogs twitch while sleeping?

Why Your Dog Twitches in His Sleep. Just like us, dogs dream. ... It is in the SWS stage that a dog breathes heavily while he is sleeping. Animal experts theorize that dogs dream during the REM stage and act on their dreams by twitching or moving all four paws as if they were chasing a rabbit. read more

Dips in temperature can cause cold dogs to twitch while sleeping, in the body’s attempt to stay warm. If you suspect that this is the case, turn up the heat or provide your dog with a blanket. Know the difference between benign dreamland twitching and a seizure. read more

Of all the causes for dog twitching while sleeping, this one is the least to worry about. All dogs will twitch and tremble at some point in time, but some breeds are genetically susceptible to trembling. Some of these dogs are actually called 'shaker dogs' due to their trembling. read more

While sleep twitching is typically nothing to worry about, there are some cases where the movement can be a cause for concern. Dr. Kathryn Primm, owner of Applebrook Animal Hospital in Tennessee, says that sleep movement can become problematic if the twitching begins to interfere with a dog’s sleep. read more