My Poor Little Cat Has Nightmares Sometimes

jahzara · Aug 30, 2019

My cat Cobalt has had nightmares in the past. He will sometimes let out a muffled growl while sleeping and then wake up super confused, his eyes all loopy, and let out a hiss! He did this last week and both me and his brother came to the rescue to provide comforts. His cat brother, Rigby, came over to sniff him and assess the situation. I provided pets and a soothing voice. Cobalt just looked around rather confused and dazed.

I always suspected cats could dream. They twitch throughout sleep sometimes, but I always just figured that was due to deep sleep and didnt mean they were dreaming necessarily. But this behavior, a sign of a nightmare, that doesnt just happen involuntarily. It can really only mean he was dreaming. And it is stupidly cute and sweet! My poor little guy had a nightmare. Thank goodness he has a caring mama and brother nearby to help.

Furballsmom · Aug 30, 2019

Hi!
That's a pretty dramatic nightmare! Maybe some music would help him to relax a little better, cats need good sleep

classical harp music, low volume for a half hour or so, could make a difference.

Cat Sleep - More Than Just A Catnap

KarenKat · Aug 30, 2019

Oh wow! That does sound kind of cute.

I just watched an episode of Jackson Galaxy where there was a cat that was actually having night terrors - he was older and would fling himself off the bed. They ended up giving him some melatonin and it seemed to really help, he was even more well-rested and active during the day. Sounds like this was a mild one off case with Cobalt, so glad you and Rigby were able to conform him.

aliceneko · Aug 30, 2019

Toffee once suddenly started flinching as he was in a rather deep sleep and then bit my leg, which is not a normal reaction, so we reckon he was having some kind of nightmare at the time.

Maria Bayote · Aug 31, 2019

I have read somewhere that cats can even sleepwalk, which could be a cause for concern.

Mer.kitten · Aug 31, 2019

Yup, ive read that all mammals dream

maybe birds too.

I saw my cat have a nightmare once or twice, i just pet her gently til she wakes up

if it happens a lot maybe talk to your vet about CBD for cats?

misty8723 · Aug 31, 2019

When we adopted Cynthia in 2005, she would have nightmares where she would shiver and make noises. I started talking to her, petting her, etc. letting her know she was safe. Eventually, the nightmares stopped. Poor little girl, I think she had a rough life before we got her. If we would reach down to pet her, she would flinch. I miss her so much.

danteshuman · Aug 31, 2019

Dante used to have nightmares (or dreams where he was super cat fighting all the tough cats in the world.) When he had them I would talk softly to him and pet him softly a bit. It seemed to soothe him(or partly wake him up) that he would (?go back to?) sleep soundly/happily.

Yes cats dogs & most/all animals dream. I would bet every mammal dreams.

Neko-chan's mama · Sep 1, 2019

aliceneko said:
Toffee once suddenly started flinching as he was in a rather deep sleep and then bit my leg, which is not a normal reaction, so we reckon he was having some kind of nightmare at the time.

maybe he was dreaming he was hunting a mouse and when he bit, he caught it

Purr-fect · Sep 3, 2019

jahzara said:
My cat Cobalt has had nightmares in the past. He will sometimes let out a muffled growl while sleeping and then wake up super confused, his eyes all loopy, and let out a hiss! He did this last week and both me and his brother came to the rescue to provide comforts. His cat brother, Rigby, came over to sniff him and assess the situation. I provided pets and a soothing voice. Cobalt just looked around rather confused and dazed.

I always suspected cats could dream. They twitch throughout sleep sometimes, but I always just figured that was due to deep sleep and didnt mean they were dreaming necessarily. But this behavior, a sign of a nightmare, that doesnt just happen involuntarily. It can really only mean he was dreaming. And it is stupidly cute and sweet! My poor little guy had a nightmare. Thank goodness he has a caring mama and brother nearby to help.

I also think cats can dream.

On occasion, when im sleeping with arnold, he will start to sound distressed in his sleep. Its not his "chasing birds or chipmunk" dream. I now know the difference.

When he is having his "nightmares", I pet him softly, give him a kiss and he stops stressing, often not even fully awakening.

Minnie Mao · Sep 3, 2019

My baby does the same sometimes, she cries above all. The first times I saw her doing so, I thought she was awake and I called her and talked to her; since when I've realized she is probably having nightmares I've begun to tiptoe to her to put a kiss on her eyes or nose or cheek. It works: she stops at once and keeps sleeping serenely. I think she just needs to know she's not alone.

My Poor Little Cat Has Nightmares Sometimes

jahzara

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Furballsmom

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KarenKat

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aliceneko

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Maria Bayote

Mama of 4 Cats, 4 Dogs , 2 Budgies & 2 Humans

Mer.kitten

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misty8723

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danteshuman

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Neko-chan's mama

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Purr-fect

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