Do Dogs Dream?

You have 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. They have 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.

Not all dogs dream equally, though. Research suggests that small dogs dream more than larger dogs. A Toy Poodle may dream once every 10 minutes while a Golden Retriever may only dream once every 90 minutes. What do dogs dream about? Well, who knows. They probably dream in a similar manner as humans, replaying the everyday activities that make up their existence.

And here is a tip: if you ever have been tempted to wake your dog during a dream, they suggest to resist doing that. So, "let sleeping dogs lie". Dogs, like humans, need uninterrupted sleep for healthy mental activity.

April is National "Pet First Aid Awareness Month"

Did you know that April is National "Pet Awareness Month"?

When our furry friends get injured it is important to get them professional veterinary care. However, just like humans, there are simple first-aid procedures that can save your pets life. The Red Cross publishes Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid Guides that provide pet owners with vital information on how to prevent, prepare for and respond to medical emergencies. The Guide offers assistance with everything from giving medications to CPR. It provides instructions on how to handle over 50 different injuries and illnesses, and other great tips on how to assemble a pet first aid kit, making your pet part of your family disaster plan. Each guide includes a DVD that demonstrates how to perform many of the procedures described in the book. It may be a useful tool and worth your while to check it out. I believe the cost for each Guide is around $17.00.