Cats are much like humans when it comes to sleep. Just like us, they see images of past events in their minds when they start to doze off. In fact, the hippocampus (a part of the brain involved in memory) is basically wired the same way in all vertebrates and mammals. Just like people, felines and other pets go through multiple stages of sleep, from periods of slow wave sleep to REM where most dreams occur.
Dreams that happen during Non-REM phases consist of quick snapshots of things that were usually done that day, while during the deeper sleep state of REM (rapid eye movement) dreams typically last much longer and tap into a variety of past experiences. These past experiences could be something that happened just days ago, or in some cases even years ago.
How Can I Tell If My Cat Is Dreaming?
Also similar to humans, you can often tell if your feline friend is dreaming based on the way he or she reacts while sleeping. If you see their whiskers twitching or a paw tremor every now and then, chances are kitty is dreaming of something. Irregular breathing and an occasional yip or meow are also good indications that your cat might be having a very interesting dream.
What Do Cats Dream About?
Have you ever wondered what Mr. Whiskers was dreaming about? Researchers now believe that cats basically dream just as humans do. They might have a dream where they are simply just carrying out everyday activities. Perhaps you witness kitty sleeping on the couch and he seems like he is having a dream where he’s running. Chances are, he probably is. If your cat is sleeping and is acting like he is pouncing on prey, he probably is in his dream.
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