Do Dogs Dream

If you've ever been tempted to wake your dog during a dream, try and resist. It's best to "let sleeping dogs lie."

You've probably seen it happen—your sleeping dog suddenly lets out a woof as his legs begin to twitch. Is he dreaming?

Many scientists say there is evidence to support the idea that dogs do, in fact, experience dreams. Researchers using an electroencephalogram (EEG) have tested canine brain wave activity during sleep. They've found that dogs are similar to humans when it comes to sleep patterns and brain wave activity. Like humans, dogs enter a deep sleep stage during which their breathing becomes more irregular and they have rapid eye movements (REM). It is during REM sleep that actual dreaming and, often, involuntary movements take place. Dogs may move their legs as if they are running, whine or whimper as if excited, and breathe rapidly or hold their breath for short periods.

Not all dogs dream equally. Research suggests that small dogs dream more than larger dogs. A Toy Poodle may dream once every ten minutes while a Golden Retriever may only dream once every 90 minutes. Dreaming also seems to occur more frequently in puppies. This may be because they are processing huge quantities of newly acquired experiences.

What do dogs dream about? Since no dog has ever told anyone about a dream he's had, we can only guess. It's likely that dogs dream in a similar fashion to humans, replaying the everyday activities that make up their existence, like chasing, playing, and eating.

If you've ever been tempted to wake your dog during a dream, try and resist. It's best to "let sleeping dogs lie." Dogs, like humans, need uninterrupted sleep for healthy mental activity.

Dreams About Dogs: Dream Meanings Explained

Dreams about dogs are a common dream theme at bedtime. If you or a loved one have been covering this ground at night, you may have questions about what it all might mean. As part of a Huffington Post series on dreams and their meanings, we spoke to Vocata George, Ph.D., a Jungian analyst at the C.G. Jung Education Center of Cleveland, to get expert advice about the meanings of your or your loved one’s dog dreams. Note: While dream analysis is highly subjective, this post might provide some insight into why this dream occurred or is recurring.

What do dreams about dogs mean? 

"Jungian dream analysis shines the spotlight on yourself," says George. "When you dream about dogs, it is important to first consider what it is that made you think about dogs." George says dreams about dogs in general can help you "sniff out a part of your psyche." 

What can I learn about myself from dreaming about dogs? 

"[These dreams] often provide a hunch about something going on inside yourself," says George. How you feel about dogs will play a big role in how the dream can be processed. "For example, if you loved a dog as a child and it died, that is a different feeling than if you were attacked by a dog at some point in your life." 

Are there any tricks to avoiding or inducing dreams about dogs? 

While you can encourage yourself to revisit these dreams, George says that your subconscious self knows more than you and it will continue to help you work through dog dreams if it is necessary. "If you do not know something about yourself, you will have the dream over and over." 

Beyond analysis, what cultural symbolism can be found in dreams about dogs? 

"Having dogs show up in your dreams can represent an instinctual quality in yourself," says George. "What is it that you are not expressing in your waking life? Is the dog in your dream angry?" In addition, you should consider how you feel once the dream ends, which could potentially reveal signs of suppressed anger. 

Who tends to have dreams about dogs most frequently? 

People who have had constant contact with dogs as well as those who are not commonly around dogs can have dog dreams, says George. The subconscious self knows what is needed to bring thoughts and ideas to the surface, but "you may need to look in unexpected places to discover parts of yourself." 

Does a dream about dogs always relate to a real-life dog? 

According to George, dreams about dogs are often symbolic. This particular symbol often reveals the heart of a person's soul. "Look into what the dog represents and how it makes you feel during and after the dream for a hint of what your subconscious self is trying to show you," she suggests. 

Vocata George earned her Ph.D. at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, Calif. She then pursued post-Ph.D. inter-regional training in order to become a Jungian Analyst. She is now a Jungian Analyst at the C.G. Jung Education Center of Cleveland, a center that remains dedicated to the evolution of consciousness and the pursuit of meaning in life through psychological insight and creative expression.

Do dogs and cats really dream

How many pet owners have gotten a chuckle out of watching their dog sleep while its paws race frenetically in place?

Many figured that Rover was romping somewhere in dreamland, and scientists say they were right: Pets do dream while sleeping.

As dogs and cats doze, images of past events replay in their minds much the same way humans recall experiences while dreaming, said Matthew Wilson of MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory in Cambridge, Mass. That's because the hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in memory, is basically wired the same way in virtually all vertebrates and mammals, he said.

"If you compared a hippocampus in a rat to a dog; in a cat to a human, they contain all of the same pieces," said Wilson, an associate professor of brain and cognitive sciences.

Like people, pets go through multiple stages of sleep, from periods of slow wave sleep to REM (rapid eye movement), where most dreaming occurs.

"From the minute your head hits the pillow and you're out, the dreaming process begins," he said.

Non-REM dreams consist of quick snapshots of things usually done that day. During the deeper sleep state of REM, dreams last much longer and tap into a vast pool of past experiences drawn from weeks, months, even years in the past.

Rules for Pet Burials

When the time comes for a family to say a final goodbye to its faithful and beloved pet, the question may arise: is it legal to bury a pet in one’s own back yard.

The answer to that question is surprisingly different depending upon one’s locale. In rural areas and small towns, generally, the rule of thumb is that you may bury a pet in whatever manner you see fit on private property, so long as you have the owner’s permission. That same rule applies in some other larger cities as well. But be warned: that is just a rule of thumb—and, as rules of thumbs go, it is among the less reliable you will ever hear. The legalities of burying a pet vary greatly from place to place.

Here are some issues that you will likely encounter if you search for the answer to this question in your own case:

First, there is the consideration of whether you own the property on which you intend to bury your pet. If you do not own the property (for example if you are a renter), then the chances are slim that you will be within your legal rights to bury your pet without the property owner’s permission.

This means that, if you are intending to bury your pet on property for which you have permission to do so, then you have passed the first major legal hurdle for this burial.

Next, you must consider environmental factors.

Many localities that allow burial have rules intended to protect the environment. These rules include regulations on the depth of the grave, the materials in which the pet is buried, the manner in which the grave is marked, and the vicinity of the grave to water sources.

In general, the rules are intended to assure that graves are deep enough to protect humans and other animals from disease while shallow enough to avoid underground utility lines.( In some cities, graves for pets must be between two and three feet deep.) The rules also help assure that toxic materials are not used in burial containers such as caskets (or that caskets will biodegrade).They also assure that the graves are properly marked so that future landscapers will not stumble upon remains unexpectedly, thereby exposing themselves to potential disease. And, finally, the rules aim to protect public drinking water sources from contamination caused by the biological breakdown of a pet’s body.

Veterinarians, attorneys, activists and other experts tend to agree that rules regarding the burial of pets are often vague and enforcement is usually lax. One Florida veterinarian, for example, reported on his blog that even government agencies themselves gave him conflicting answers when he asked which statute or ordinance, exactly, was the source of his city’s widely recognized ban on home burials of pets. He found that there was wide disagreement among officials themselves as to whether all burials were illegal, and no one could direct him to the written source of the law. He says he suspects that the situation would be the same in other cities across America. The automatic response from officialdom to the question of “is it legal to bury a pet in your home” is usually, “No!” But, in many cases, officialdom may, in fact, be wrong.

A blogger in England came across this same problem in his country, too. So this man recommends, “Just do what you want to. Burying a pet as you see fit will harm no one, even if it does happen to be against the law in your particular part of the world.” The Englishman says its best to simply follow the age-old axiom, “It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask permission.” If you ask, you’ll likely be told no, even if the true answer is yes.

All in all, experts seem to agree that, no matter the formal legality, burying a pet at your home, on property that you own can be a healthy thing to do for the emotional spirit of your family. And there is little chance that it will harm the environment. “If dead animals were a serious threat to the environment – water quality and such – most cities would have entire crews out scooping up opossums, skunks, and a lot of other critters 24 hours a day,” one blogger points out.

How to Make a Pet Burial in the Backyard

It's never easy when a pet dies, but sometimes a backyard burial can help.

No one wants to think about it, but sooner or later, you may have to bury your beloved pet in your back yard. Emotionally, this can be a very healthy way for you and your family to grieve the loss of your furred, feathered, or scaled family member. This is especially true if you have children in your family. It is legal in a lot of places to bury a pet on your own property, but you should check with your locality to make certain that is the case where you live.

Instructions

1 Measure the length, width, and height of the box into which you have put your pet's remains.

2 Dig a hole in your back yard that will fit that box. Dig to a depth of 2 to 3 feet plus the height of the box to ensure that wild animals do not dig up the grave.

3 Arrange a small ceremony with any family members and friends you wish to invite. Burial ceremonies can be as involved as you wish.

4 Lower your pet's casket into the ground carefully. Ask a friend or family member to help you if the pet was especially large.

5 Shovel the dirt you removed from the hole back over the casket. Tamp it down firmly with the shovel and your feet once all the dirt is back in place.

6 Place a grave marker over the site so you always remember where it is. Flowers can be added at this time. You may even prefer to plant perennial flowers over the grave as a memorial.

Tips & Warnings

Burying your pet's favorite things with your pet can be helpful, especially to young family members who may not have dealt with death before. Ask them to help you plan the service. It will be emotionally helpful, and also a good educational experience.

If your pet has died of an infectious disease, check with your veterinarian to see about cremation. Infectious diseases, even in pets, can pose a health risk if the bodies are not cremated. Your family can then choose to keep the ashes, or to scatter them in a ceremony afterward.

If the ground is too frozen for you to bury your pet, wrap the body carefully in plastic and put it in your freezer. This works well for smaller pets, although it may not be an option for larger pets. If your larger pet dies while the ground is frozen, cremation through your veterinarian or a reputable pet cemetery may be the best option.

If you are a renter, check with the property owner to see if they will allow you to bury your pet in the backyard. While it may be legal to bury a pet in the backyard according to local statutes, it is usually not legal to bury a pet on private property if it is against the owner's wishes.

When a Pet Dies - Pet Cemetery, Burial Options

When a pet dies, the owner must decide between pet cremation or burial. Owners can hold a pet funeral, opt for a pet cemetery or a simple backyard burial.

Whether it's a cat or a dog, a horse or a goat, or a bird, reptile or other pet. the death of a pet is a traumatic and emotional experience. In fact, the grief experienced following the loss of a pet is often comparable to that which is experienced following the death of a human family member.

Fortunately for animal lovers who are grieving a pet loss, there has been a movement in recent years that has led to a mainstream recognition of how difficult it can be when a pet dies. This recognition of how emotional and painful a pet's death can be has led to a dramatic increase in the number of pet loss products and services that are now available when a pet dies or when an owner has to make the difficult decision to "put a pet to sleep."

The owner of a pet who dies will have many questions. "Should I cremate my pet? Or place opt for burial in a pet cemetery?" "Should I buy a casket or pet urn?" "What types of pet grave markers are available?"

This article will explore the pet burial options and pet loss products that are available to owners who have experienced the death of a pet.

Wakes, Dog Memorial Services and Funerals for Pets

An increasing number of funeral homes are now offering viewings for deceased pets, thereby allowing the animal's friends and loved ones to say one last "goodbye." While a formal wake for a pet at a funeral home is a more formal, expensive option, many pet owners find the viewing helpful as they grieve the pet's loss.

Many pet cemeteries offer an array of options for owners of a pet that's died, including pet funeral services, memorial services and pet burial ceremonies.

Backyard Burials for Pets vs. the Pet Cemetery

For pet owners who would like to bury their pet, there are a few options. Backyard burial for a pet is an inexpensive option that allows the grieving pet owner to keep their beloved animal close to home.

A benefit of a home pet burial is that the pet owner is free to plant a garden at the pet's burial site, or create another fitting pet memorial, free of restrictions that are often in place at a pet cemetery.

Pet cemeteries are becoming increasingly common in many areas, providing another burial option for owners who are mourning a pet loss. A pet cemetery is a more formal option that can really appeal to some pet owners. The cost can be prohibitive for some, as a pet cemetery plot can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The cost of a pet cemetery burial will vary depending on factors like the geographical region and the size of the pet. A grave plot and burial for a large pet like a horse can be comparable to a human burial in terms of cost. Most cemeteries for dogs and cats also require that pet owners place a permanent headstone or grave marker at the pet's plot, so this is an added cost that must be taken into consideration.

While more expensive than a backyard burial, a cemetery for dogs and cats can be a peaceful resting place that will always be accessible to the animal's family and friends — a major advantage over the backyard burial. One major disadvantage to burying a pet in the back yard involves the potential of leaving the pet's resting place behind if the property is sold at some point in the future; a pet cemetery is always accessible.

Cat and Dog Caskets

Pet owners can opt for a pet casket. Small, simple pet coffins are available for less than $30, while a larger, more ornate dog casket can cost well over $1,000.

Another option involves burying the pet in a more simple manner, perhaps wrapping the pet in a favorite blanket or resting the pet on his/her favorite bed. Many grieving pet owners will also opt to bury the pet with his/her favorite toys, collar and food dish, while others prefer to keep these items as a pet keepsake.

Pet Headstones and Grave Markers for Dogs, Cats and Other Animals

Pet grave markers and headstones are also available in an array of styles and sizes, ranging in price from less than $50 to several thousand dollars.

Personalized and customized pet headstones are available on the internet in a vast array of shapes, sizes and styles. Many stores that sell human grave markers and gravestones also offer a small selection of pet products as well.

Pet grave markers and headstones can include a detailed engraved image of the pet or a more simple species/breed-specific silhouette; a meaningful poem or simply the pet's name, dates of birth and death.

Related Reading on Pet Loss

For pet owners who are anticipating the death of a beloved pet, the decision of whether to euthanize a dog, cat or other animal can be extremely difficult.

Dog Aftercare Options

The care of your pet's remains after death is one of the last things you wish to think about while dealing with your grief. The shock and sorrow you feel from losing a pet is difficult to bear. However, after the death of your dog, there is a decision you will need to make right away. "Aftercare" refers to how you would like your dog's remains handled. As difficult as this may be to address, it is something you must do.

If your dog's body is at your veterinarian's office, they might be willing to hold the body for a day or two while you make the decision. However, in some cases, there is not a way to store your dog's body and a decision must be made right away. After the handling of your pet's remains, you may also wish to have a small funeral or memorial service to say goodbye to your dear companion. Here are common aftercare options for your pet's remains:

What Should I Do If My Dog Dies at Home

Losing your beloved dog is difficult in any situation. However, if your pet dies at the veterinarian's office, they can help handle the remains for you. If your dog dies suddenly at home, you will need to take certain steps and make a few decisions right away.

Call for HelpThis is a difficult time, and it's probably best if you don't have to be alone (though some people may prefer to be alone). If possible, call a close friend or family member that can help you deal practically with your pet's remains and offer emotional support. If you do not think you will physically and/or emotionally be able to handle your pet's body, choose someone than likely can.

Contact Your VeterinarianIf it is during normal business hours, your vet's office can help talk you through the steps. They may also have a way of getting you in touch with someone who can pick up your pet's body (like a pet crematory or mobile vet service). In some cases, your vet's office may be able to store your pet's body for a day or two while you make a decision about aftercare arrangements. Your vet's office should also be able to put you in contact with a local company, as most vets have a relationship with at least one local pet cremation/aftercare business.

How Owning a Dog Extends Your Life

Human interactions have a biochemical signature that is most evident in what happens between a mother and her baby. A study presented at the 12th International Conference on Human-Animal Interactions that took place this summer in Stockholm offers convincing evidence that the same biochemical process plays a role in the bond between dogs and their owners. Researchers Linda Handlin and Kerstin Uvnäs-Moberg of Sweden’s Karolinska Institute believe oxytocin is the “bonding hormone” that is released in humans and in dogs during mutual interactions. To test their theory, blood samples were taken from dogs and their owners before and during a petting session. “We had a basal blood sample, and there was nothing, and then we had the sample taken at one minute and three minutes, and you could see this beautiful peak of oxytocin,” said Uvnäs-Moberg in an interview on PBS. “The fascinating thing is, actually, that the peak level of oxytocin is similar to the one we see in breastfeeding mothers.”

New Drug Could Extend the Life of Your Dog

Dogs are great. They give us unconditional love, true companionship and endless puppy kisses, but sadly, they leave us too soon.

What if you could give your dog a drug that would extend his life and give you a little more time to enjoy him? Would you do it?

According to the Daily Mail, a team of scientists led by Dr. Bill Andrews, head of Sierra Sciences, has created a drug to protect telomeres, sections of DNA responsible for affecting the aging process, which in turn could increase the lifespan of your best friend.

Andrews and his team did not start out looking for a way for dogs to live longer – in fact, they were looking for a way to cure aging and help humans live longer.