For years, dog owners have sworn that their pets twitching, pawing at the air, or softly whimpering in their sleep was proof that they were chasing something in their dreams. Now, new scientific research suggests that they may have been right all along — and more than that, dogs appear to dream about their humans. The revelation has stunned experts and pet lovers alike, fueling emotional reactions online and deepening the already unbreakable bond between people and their dogs.
According to a recent study by neuroscientists, dogs display brain activity during sleep that mirrors what humans experience when dreaming. Dr. Deirdre Barrett, a researcher at Harvard Medical School, explained that dogs likely dream of day-to-day experiences — which often center around their owners. “It’s not only plausible, it’s probable,” she said. “If your dog is deeply attached to you, then you are likely the main character in their dream world.”
The research is based on recordings of canine brain patterns during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the stage most associated with vivid dreaming. Much like humans, the dogs’ brains lit up in patterns connected to memory and emotion. In interviews, scientists told NPR the results suggest that the same way people dream about loved ones, dogs dream about the people they trust most. “Your face, your smell, your voice — those are the things likely running through their minds while they sleep,” one researcher said.
Scientists confirm: dogs dream about their humans. I KNEW it. Every little twitch is them running back to me
pic.twitter.com/dogsleep— Pets Daily (@petsdaily) August 16, 2025
The emotional response has been overwhelming. Pet owners flooded social media with stories of how their dogs react in their sleep, many saying they now believe those wagging tails and quiet barks are signs of happy dreams. A Guardian feature highlighted viral clips of dogs sleeping, with one video of a Labrador softly barking in its sleep gaining over 10 million views in 24 hours. “Now I know he’s dreaming about me, I’ll never wake him up again,” one owner wrote.
Other experts say the discovery also has deeper implications for animal welfare. According to NBC News, veterinarians stress that a dog’s dream world may reflect both positive and negative experiences. “If your dog suffers from trauma, abuse, or neglect, those memories can also replay during sleep,” one vet explained. This raises important questions about how experiences shape not only a dog’s behavior but also their subconscious lives.
This study broke me. Dogs dream of their owners. They literally carry us into every part of their world
pic.twitter.com/dogdreams— Animal Lovers (@animallovers) August 16, 2025
One particularly moving detail came from researchers observing shelter dogs. In their study, animals who had recently been adopted displayed calmer, more stable dream activity compared to dogs who remained in stressful conditions. “We believe dogs who feel safe and loved are more likely to experience positive dream cycles,” a lead author said in an interview with Reuters. “It reinforces the idea that giving them love quite literally changes their inner world.”
For longtime trainers and behaviorists, the findings confirm what they have always suspected. Cesar Millan, the renowned dog behavior expert, told People that the bond between humans and dogs transcends waking hours. “When a dog dreams of you, it’s the ultimate sign of loyalty,” he said. “They don’t just love you when they’re awake. They carry you into their dreams.”
Can’t stop thinking about this — dogs not only love us, they DREAM about us. That’s the purest love there is. pic.twitter.com/puppydreams— Dog Updates (@dogupdates) August 16, 2025
The study has also sparked a wave of pet owners rethinking how they treat their dogs’ sleep. Veterinarians are urging people not to wake pets unnecessarily, noting that interrupting REM sleep can be stressful. Instead, experts recommend creating a calm sleeping environment free of loud noises or sudden disruptions. As The New York Times reported, “letting a dog finish their dream cycle is one of the simplest but most powerful ways to improve their wellbeing.”
Perhaps the most heart-stirring reaction came from the family of a young boy whose dog died earlier this year. They told USA Today that knowing their pet may have spent its final nights dreaming of them brought peace. “We used to watch her twitch in her sleep and wondered what she was seeing. Now, I believe she was dreaming of being with us. That’s a gift we’ll carry forever.”