It can be unsettling to see your dog shaking, twitching, or making crying sounds while asleep.
Dogs can make surprisingly expressive movements and noises during sleep, and not every episode means that something is wrong.
However, repeated or intense shaking and vocalization during sleep can sometimes be associated with pain, illness or a neurological problem.
Paying attention to what happens before, during, and after the episode can help determine whether your dog is simply dreaming or needs veterinary attention.
Table of Contents
Dog Shaking and Crying in Sleep: Why It Happens
A dog may shake and cry in sleep because of normal dreaming, changes in sleep patterns, discomfort, anxiety, or an underlying medical or neurological condition.
Dogs can twitch their legs, move their facial muscles, whimper, bark softly, or briefly shake while asleep.
The important distinction is whether your dog remains otherwise normal. Episodes that are brief and limited to sleep may be harmless, while unusual movements that are prolonged, difficult to interrupt, or followed by confusion deserve veterinary assessment.
Dog Shaking and Crying in Sleep: Signs
Depending on the underlying problem, other signs may occur at the same time, including:
- Paddling or moving the legs
Facial twitching
Brief body movements
Changes in breathing during sleep
Sudden waking or appearing startled
Confusion or unusual behavior after waking
Dog Shaking and Crying in Sleep: Common Causes
Normal Dreaming
Dogs experience periods of active sleep in which brain activity increases, and movements or vocalizations may occur.
During these periods, a sleeping dog may twitch, move their paws, flick their ears, or make quiet whining sounds.
These movements are usually brief, and the dog typically returns to normal once awake. If your dog is otherwise healthy and the episodes only occur during sleep without concerning signs afterward, dreaming may be a likely explanation.
There is generally no need to wake a dog during ordinary sleep movements. Sudden physical contact can startle a sleeping dog.
Read more: Dog Shaking and Crying at Night (Is it serious?)
Stress
Stressful experiences can affect a dog’s sleep and behavior. An anxious dog may whimper, move around, or appear restless while sleeping.
During waking hours, you may also notice pacing, panting, hiding, clinginess, or increased alertness.
If sleep disturbances become frequent or your dog’s behavior changes substantially, discuss the pattern with your veterinarian. It is important to consider both behavioral and medical causes.
Pain
Pain can make it difficult for a dog to sleep comfortably and may lead to whining, restlessness, or repeated movements during sleep. Arthritis, muscle discomfort, injuries, and other painful conditions can interfere with normal rest.
A dog experiencing pain may also be stiff after getting up, reluctant to climb stairs, slower to move, or sensitive when touched.
If your dog has recently developed shaking and crying during sleep along with changes in movement or behavior while awake, pain should be considered.
Related: Dog Shaking and Crying (Causes and when to worry)
Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Digestive discomfort can make a dog restless during sleep. Nausea, abdominal discomfort, or other gastrointestinal problems may cause a dog to shift positions, whimper, or wake frequently.
Other symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, reduced appetite, or changes in bowel movements.
Sleep disturbances accompanied by digestive symptoms should be monitored closely, particularly if they persist.
Age-Related Changes
Older dogs can experience changes in sleep patterns and nighttime behavior. Cognitive changes may cause a senior dog to become restless, vocal, or confused at unusual times.
Older dogs are also more likely to have conditions such as arthritis or other sources of discomfort that can interfere with sleep.
New nighttime behaviors in a senior dog should not automatically be attributed to aging. A veterinary examination can help identify pain or illness that may be affecting sleep.
Medication Effects
Some medications can alter sleep, activity, or behavior. A dog may become restless, vocal, or experience changes in normal sleep patterns after starting certain treatments.
If the shaking and crying began after a medication was started or a dose was changed, contact your veterinarian.
Do not stop or change prescribed medication without veterinary guidance.
Neurological Conditions
Neurological problems can sometimes cause abnormal movements during sleep or changes in behavior after waking. The movements may look different from ordinary sleep twitching and may be accompanied by other neurological changes.
Possible warning signs include unusual coordination, weakness, changes in awareness, difficulty walking, or repeated abnormal episodes.
If you are unsure whether your dog’s movements are normal sleep behavior, recording a short video can help your veterinarian assess what is happening.
Seizure-Like Episodes
Some seizure disorders can cause abnormal movements or changes in awareness that may occur while a dog is sleeping. These episodes can sometimes be mistaken for ordinary dreaming.
Movements may be more intense or repetitive than normal sleep twitching, and a dog may behave unusually after the episode.
A suspected seizure should be discussed with a veterinarian, especially if episodes recur or your dog has other neurological symptoms.
Related: Dog panting excessively and shaking (Causes and when to worry)
When to Call or Visit the Vet
Occasional twitching and soft vocalization during sleep can be normal, but unusual or repeated episodes warrant attention.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice:
Frequent or increasingly intense episodes
Prolonged shaking or abnormal movements during sleep
Difficulty waking your dog or unusual behavior after waking
Weakness, difficulty walking, or coordination changes
Significant pain, stiffness, or sensitivity
Vomiting, loss of appetite, or marked lethargy
Episodes occurring while your dog is awake
Collapse, difficulty breathing, or rapidly worsening symptoms
Dog Shaking and Crying in Sleep: Treatment
Veterinary treatment for a dog that is shaking and crying in sleep starts with a thorough examination and a review of the episodes, including what the movements look like, how long they last, and how your dog behaves afterward.
The veterinarian may recommend blood tests or other diagnostic testing when appropriate, while further neurological evaluation or diagnostic imaging may be considered when abnormal movements, pain, or other concerning signs are present.
Treatment may include prescription pain relief, medication for an underlying illness, management of anxiety when appropriate, or other targeted therapy based on the diagnosis.
Key Takeaway
A dog shaking and crying in sleep may simply be dreaming, particularly when the movements are brief, and your dog is completely normal when awake. Stress, pain, digestive discomfort, age-related changes, medication effects, and neurological conditions can also affect sleep behavior.
The key is to consider what happens before, during, and after the episode.
Occasional mild twitching or quiet vocalization can be normal, but repeated, intense, or unusual episodes deserve veterinary attention.
If you are concerned about your dog’s sleep movements, recording an episode and sharing it with your veterinarian can be helpful.
If the behavior is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, seek veterinary advice to determine the underlying cause.