Dogs usually twitch in their sleep because they are in a deep, dreaming stage of sleep and their brain is sending small, involuntary signals to their muscles. In most cases this is normal and not harmful.
Normal reasons
During REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, dogs dream and their brain activity increases, which can cause paw paddling, facial twitches, kicks, or soft whimpers. Puppies and senior dogs often twitch more because the part of the brain that “switches off” muscles during dreams is still developing in youngsters and may work less efficiently in older dogs.
Other harmless triggers include muscles relaxing as they fall asleep, reacting to sounds while asleep, or processing memories of running and playing from the day. Short episodes that stop when the dog wakes, with normal behavior in between, are generally considered normal.
When to be concerned
Twitching can be a problem if it looks more like a seizure or if it happens while the dog is awake. Warning signs include very stiff or rigid body, prolonged or violent thrashing, loss of consciousness, drooling, confusion or disorientation after the episode, or twitching that happens frequently and disrupts sleep.
Certain medical issues (such as epilepsy, metabolic problems, toxin exposure, or severe pain) can also cause abnormal twitching or tremors. If any of these signs appear, or if the twitching suddenly changes or worsens, a vet visit is important.
What you can do
If the movements are mild and your dog otherwise seems healthy, it is usually best to let them sleep and not wake them. Make sure they have a comfortable, warm, quiet sleeping area to reduce startle responses and shivering.
If you are unsure whether what you are seeing is normal, try to record a video and show it to your veterinarian; this helps distinguish normal dream twitching from seizures or other problems.
