Does your dog sometimes twitch his muscles or limbs while he's snoozing? In most cases, this is not a major cause for concern, as uncontrolled movements are not uncommon in sleeping four-legged friends.
But there are also some cases in which you should be careful: Some twitches can also be a symptom that something is wrong with the animal.
In the following article you will find out everything about them 10 Most Common Causes of a Dog Twitching in Sleep. I will also give you four possible solutions that can improve things in some cases.
The 10 most common reasons for twitching during sleep
1. Most common cause: Stimulated dreams
If your dog twitches in his sleep, then in most cases it is absolutely harmless: If no other worrying signs occur, it is very likely that the dog is just stimulated dreams.
Four-legged friends sleep a lot – even 20 hours a day is normal for some dogs. Many periods of rest are only of very short duration, but there are also deep sleep periods, especially at midday, at night and after great exertion. A study published in 1977 used brain wave measurements to find that dogs spend around 12 percent of their rest periods in very intense REM sleep.
Dogs dream especially when they process their experiences. If a dream is very intense, it may happen that the animal makes noises or movements: it then whines, moves its paws or twitches every now and then.
2. Epileptic seizures
According to a large-scale study, about 0.75 percent of all dogs worldwide are Epileptic. Then the cerebrum does not work properly, the nerve cells are not charged and discharged properly at irregular intervals, so to speak it is a “short circuit” of the central nervous system.
A few hours to minutes before an epileptic seizure, the dog is often very restless and anxious. During the actual attack, the animal begins to shake and twitch uncontrollably. An episode usually only lasts a few minutes and is mild, but there are also cases in which it takes longer and, for example, nerves can die.
Many seizures take place at night, which is when the dog often becomes met in sleep. However, it is also possible that you find your four-legged friend unconscious – even then, at first glance, he appears to be sleeping.
Veterinarian Dr. Franz Spitzer on epileptic seizures in dogs. Source: Veterinarian Dr. Franz / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKHTB_yXoz4
3. Neurological diseases
Some epileptics suffer from repeated seizures from birth, which then also occur during sleep. These cases are genetically determined and some breeds are particularly affected.
But there are also cases in which acquired neurological diseases disturbs the nervous system so much that twitches occur. These can be both epileptic seizures and neuropathies, i.e. secondary diseases of the peripheral nervous system.
Examples of possible illnesses
- Brain tumors
- Traumatic head injuries
- Meningitis, also caused by tick bites
- Strokes
- Injuries to the spine and spinal cord.
In nerve diseases, twitches are usually not the only symptom. Many four-legged friends are regularly disoriented and have problems coordinating their limbs. In some cases, short-term or long-term paralysis also occurs.
4. Malnutrition
However, twitching in dogs – both when awake and asleep – can also occur Deficiency symptoms be caused. Some nutrients are very important for keeping the nervous system in balance. If these are missing, twitching movements also occur.
Very often it is one calcium deficiency, which is often due to incorrectly composed food. Also one Vitamin B1 deficiency or too little sodium can occasionally be observed. In addition to twitching, most affected animals show significantly weaker behavior and, in the long term, a worse general condition.
Malnutrition can also come from Parasites be caused. They then take valuable nutrients away from the dog's digestive tract before they can enter the bloodstream.
5. Pains
Dogs also often flinch when they Pains have. This usually affects four-legged friends who are awake, but occasionally sleeping animals also suffer from it.
Often they are then joint problems, which intensify during sleep. Diseases such as osteoarthritis, arthritis and hip dysplasia are particularly common among older four-legged friends. If the dog lies on an affected part of the body, it hurts even when lying down.
If the twitching has this cause, the dog will also wake up Symptoms such as limping or slow movements show. You will also notice that your four-legged friend will then need significantly more time to get out of bed in the morning, as it will be very difficult for him to get up.
6. Side effect of medication
Some too Medication affect the nervous system. A comparatively common side effect is cramp-like seizures or twitching, which sometimes occur at night.
If your four-legged friend has just been prescribed something, you should definitely consider this cause. In order to be prepared for this, it is advisable to do this beforehand Package leaflet read the medication carefully.
7. Symptoms of poisoning
Many Poisons irritate and paralyze the nerves. If your dog has consumed something toxic, it is quite possible that he will react to it uncontrollably, for example by twitching.
A common dangerous toxin ingested by dogs that affects the nerves is Slug pellets. Other substances that cause the dog to twitch include: Nicotine, pesticides, insect and snake poisons.
Some poisons have a delayed effect, so it can take several hours for the first symptoms to appear. It is therefore also possible that the dog lies down already poisoned and only begins to twitch uncontrollably while he is sleeping.
Poisons that attack the nerves often enter the bloodstream very quickly, so proven first aid measures such as charcoal tablets are of little use. So you have to go to a vet immediately – even in the middle of the night – to increase your pet's chances of survival!
8. Metabolic disorders
Some Diseases of the metabolic organs can also irritate the brain and cause twitches, for example. This includes, for example, chronic liver or kidney failure, but malformations such as portosystemic liver shunt also fall into this category.
These diseases then either lead to a so-called secondary epilepsy or in symptoms of poisoning, because the dog cannot sufficiently break down pollutants. Cramps and twitches are the result – sometimes even while sleeping.
9. Dangerous Infections
Rare in our latitudes, but still theoretically possible infections, which lead to uncontrolled muscle twitching. These are particularly diseases that are almost always fatal, such as: Distemper, rabies or tetanus.
Fortunately, these causes are very unlikely if your four-legged friend has all of them Mandatory vaccinations got. If the vaccination schedule is incomplete or if a street dog has just been adopted and is showing symptoms, you should definitely at least keep this reason in mind.
10. By-product of one pregnancy
And finally, twitches can occasionally be seen in sleeping dogs pregnant are, observe. This is often very worrying for owners, but fortunately for no reason.
Pregnant four-legged friends occasionally have one slightly disturbed electrolyte balance, which, just like malnutrition, can cause the animals to twitch. There is then no danger, instead you can prepare yourself for the birth to start soon.
4 possible solutions with sleep twitches
So twitching during sleep is not always dangerous. However, in some cases it is possible or even necessary to do something about it. Then the following four are particularly suitable Solution options to.
1. Veterinary treatment & medication
If you suspect that the twitching movements were caused by epilepsy or another disease of the brain or other organs, only this will actually help Go to the vet.
This will then initially become probable neurological examinations carry out, for example a blood analysis, a CT or MRI scan, a spinal cord examination or an electroencephalography (EEG).
If it turns out that your dog is epileptic, you can Antiepileptic drugs Although it does not cure the disease, it does alleviate the course of attacks. A commonly prescribed medication is then Phenobarbital.
2. The dog more relaxed everyday life treat
If your dog twitches because he's dreaming very intensely, it's actually not a big problem. Of course, it could also be that these are nightmares – not a nice idea.
Since dogs use dreams to process their daily routine, this often causes them to get stuck stress behind it. One way to do something about dream-induced twitches is then more relaxed everyday life. This can, for example, include a different walking route that leaves out “problem dogs” that cause fear to the four-legged friend.
Some dog owners then also give up Sedatives. These don't have to be psychotropic medications; there are also many herbal preparations that can provide gentle relief.
Don't wake up
If your dog is visibly upset while sleeping, you should don't wake up! The four-legged friend needs deep sleep in order to be relaxed the following day; nightmares are also important in order to process what has happened.
3. Feed change
It is particularly worthwhile if you have twitches due to deficiency symptoms Change or addition to the Futtermeans. Unfortunately, there are many dog foods that do not have an optimal calcium-phosphorus quotient.
Calcium-phosphorus quotient
Ideally this should between 1.2 to 1 and 1.4 to 1 lay. If a dog food has too much phosphorus, calcium is removed from the body and twitches can occur.
If you want to keep the food, you can too natural sources of calcium like bones/cartilage or eggshells balance the ratio. If the vitamin B1 content is too low, it is particularly worth eating more meat, oatmeal or legumes.
4. Orthopedic dog bed
If your dog is due to… Joint pain If you twitch, a trip to the vet is also recommended. At home, you can relax the situation by offering your four-legged friend an appropriate sleeping surface.
These are particularly suitable for this orthopedic dog beds. The lying surface then consists of a special cold foam that adapts to the sleeping position of the four-legged friend. Compared to supposedly comfortable…