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Why is my dog moving like fighting in sleep? Seizure or nightmare?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 9 years and 10 months old | 4 lbs

She was sleeping & entered “rem” sleep a few times where her body goes limp. However, this time she started moving fairly like she was fighting something & it scared me. I touched her & she popped up like nothing happened, I thought she was having a seizure. I then let her walk around the house & she seems okay. Was this a nightmare? Or is she just super tired because she didn’t have a nap earlier?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on December 2nd, 2018

From the description you gave it seems she was just having ''a nightmare'' and nothing else. If the signs do not repeat again (especially when she is awake) there is nothing to be worried about. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

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