Scientists have not yet been able to figure out which part of the cat's brain is responsible for dreams, and whether this area exists at all. Nevertheless, the behavior of these animals after falling asleep suggests that they have dreams, moreover, very vivid and distinct.
When cats can dream
It was found out that these animals have two main phases of sleep. More often than not, cats simply doze off with their paws and tail tucked in. At this time, breathing slows down, the muscles relax a little. You might think that the cat is already asleep, but in reality this is not entirely true. She does not dream in this state. Animals doze for about half an hour on average, after which they either go to wakefulness or plunge into a second, deeper phase of sleep.
During the first phase, cats react to sounds, light and other external stimuli, so they can wake up very quickly.
The second phase lasts about 10 minutes, and it is at this time that cats, according to scientists, dream. By observing the behavior of the animal, you can determine what exactly he is dreaming at the moment. It is interesting that the body at this stage functions in the same way as during wakefulness: the pulse and respiration change and can be quite fast, the muscles contract, the animal makes sounds.
What cats dream
According to scientists, cats dream about some elements of their daily life. It can be eating, playing, hunting mice or birds, exploring the surrounding area, going to the toilet, fighting with other animals.
Cats are likely to even have nightmares. These animals sometimes wake up from fright and look very worried or even alert after sleep.
Cats can "run" in their sleep, making characteristic movements with their paws. When they grumble, growl, or even release their claws, this may indicate that they are dreaming of either a hunt or a fight, or some action that causes fear or aggression. At the same time, the cat can twitch its whiskers, beat with its tail, and expose its fangs. Purr is usually interpreted as a sign of a pleasant dream, in which the cat receives a favorite treat or achieves affection. It can also mean interacting with people or with other cats. At such moments, encephalograms "draw" increased brain activity, which may indicate very vivid and rather distinct dreams.
However, the most common variation involves slight twitching of the paws and whiskers, and rapid eye movements. Scientists suggest that at such moments the cat sees in a dream some kind of area and studies it, sniffing surfaces, moving from one place to another. The second option is the assumption that this behavior is associated with dreams of tracking down prey.
