They say that speaking about sex, religion and politics is often taboo as these subjects can make others feel awkward or uncomfortable.
I’ve also come to the understanding that when talking to other dog owners, it might be good to skip the entire topic of male dogs having wet dreams. It can be more shocking for them than having just seen a flying unicorn.
Given that male dogs are mammals and have their own sexual urges, is it really that unbelievable when it comes to male dogs having wet dreams?
It is possible for dogs to have a wet dream. Many dog breeds can reach sexual maturity at 6 months of age. This is when their bodies are producing a lot of sexual hormones which causes sexual stimulation even when they are sleeping.
In this article, we will be taking a look at the reasons that can make wet dreams possible in dogs. And more importantly, should you be doing anything about it?
Do Dogs Actually Dream?
I do know for certain that dogs and cats are capable of having dreams. I have seen both my pets moving, jerking and vocalizing while they were asleep.
Sleep is essential for many living things. Your dog’s body is able to grow and heal itself while it sleeps. The brain will also process the events of the day while your dog sleeps.
Dreaming doesn’t always when your dog sleeps but it can occur during the sleep cycle. And if you had a very good or bad dream before, you will know just how vivid and real dreams can be.
According to a study conducted in 1977, there are two stages to a dog’s sleep cycle which is similar to a human’s.
Slow Wave Sleep
The first phase of your dog’s sleep is known as slow wave sleep. This is when your dog is sleeping lightly with some deep and steady breathing.
Your dog’s heart rate and blood pressure will also start to drop
Rapid Eye Movement (REM)
After about 10-15 minutes of slow wave sleeping, your dog will start to enter the REM phase of its sleep cycle. It is during this phase that your dog will start to dream.
During REM, some dogs can sleep with their eyes partially open. You will be able to see your dog’s eyeballs bounce around frantically. In some instances, it can even look like your dog’s eyes have rolled back in its sleep.
If your dog is having a vivid cough dream, it can also move and vocalize in its sleep. Brain waves during REM are similar to when the dog is wide awake which makes the dog feel that what it is dreaming about seems very real.
When dogs sleep, they can go through as many as 20 sleep cycles as compared to 4-5 in humans. Talk about speed sleeping.
If your dog is slightly moving and vocalizing in its sleep, you can gently pet your dog to try and rouse it from its slumber. But if your dog is growling and acting aggressively, please do not try and wake your dog as it might bite you out of confusion.
What Do Dogs Dream About?
Researchers have claimed that dogs tend to dream about ‘doggy things’. Your dog might be having a nice dream about playing in the park, chasing after a squirrel or even being close to you.
Having a bad dream or a nightmare is also possible if your dog has had bad experiences before like being injured or abused.
I find it interesting to learn that puppies dream a lot more than adult dogs. This is due to puppies being young and are amazed by every small thing that happens around them.
A small dog dreams more often than a larger dog but their dreams aren’t as long as compared to dogs of a larger breed.
Is My Dog Having A Wet Dream?
Let’s just say if your male dog is having a wet dream, I am pretty sure you will be able to notice it.
But if you are not too sure about what to look out for, here are some obvious signs.
First of all, your dog must be sleeping in order to call it a wet dream. There are some dogs that can ejaculate when they’re excited even without having sex.
Your dog will show signs of sexual arousal like swollen testicles and an unsheathed penis which dog owners refer to as the ‘lipstick’ or ‘red rocket’.
The dog might also be making trusting or jerking motions with its hips which simulates the motion of sex. The wet dream will probably end with your dog ejaculating and sometimes peeing a little too. This could be due to your dog having blue balls when its sex hormones are on the rise but it can’t mate with a female.
If your dog is having a wet dream, it doesn’t always mean that it is having a ‘naughty dream’. Unfortunately, there isn’t a way for scientists to ascertain if the dog’s wet dream is caused by an actual dream of the dog copulating or the body just releasing itself sexually.
Most dogs sleep through the entire episode without realizing what has just happened. I have one friend who claimed that she actually saw her Maltese having a wet dream.
It took her completely by surprise and when the dog woke up after the deed was done, he has a look on his face that said “Where did all the ladies go??”
Dogs That Are More Likely To Have Wet Dream
All male dogs are capable of having a wet dream but the ones that have a higher propensity to do so are young dogs and non-neutered dogs.
Young dogs can reach sexual maturity between 6-9 months of age. That is still considered young for a dog as most breeds reach adulthood after a year. Some large or giant breeds like the Great Dane can take 2 years to become an adult.
When the young dog reaches sexual maturity, its body will start to produce a lot of testosterone which is the primary sex hormone in male dogs. The amount of testosterone will surge when the dog is in its teens right up to early adulthood.
If the dog is not able to mate and it has such a big build-up of testosterone together with a strong sexual desire, the body will release itself via wet dreams which is similar to what many teenage boys will experience.
I doubt your young dog is actually dreaming about the sex act itself, especially if has never mated with a female dog. but it could be the dog’s brain replicating the sensations so vividly that makes the dog feel that it is in the midst of copulation.
What Can You Do About Your Dog’s Wet Dream?
Most young dogs will probably grow out of this phase as they reach 2-3 years of age. At that age, their testosterone levels would have more or less stabilized.
For dog owners with neutered dogs, the probability of having a wet dream is a lot lesser. Neutering does take away the dog’s urge to reproduce by reducing the amount of testosterone in its body once its testicles are removed during the procedure.
Even if it does have a wet dream, it will only be seminal fluid without any sperm in it.
Don’t neuter your dog just because it is having wet dreams. Neutering should be done as a way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and improve the well-being of your dog.
Having wet dreams is part and parcel of your dog’s road to adulthood and there’s nothing that you should be concerned about. Just place a towel or bedsheet wherever your dog sleeps to make the mess easier to clean up.
What Is The Discharge Coming From My Male Dog?
Wet dreams aside, it is also possible for your dog to produce a discharge that isn’t ejaculate. this discharge can also be something called smegma. Smegma in dogs is a sticky fluid that can range from whitish-yellow to slightly green depending on the dog breed.
Smegma fluid acts as a natural lubricant for the dog while it is mating. It allows the penis to move easily from its sheath. Smegma is usually seen at the tip of your dog’s penis.
If you have been noticing wet patches on your dog’s bed which aren’t ejaculate or smegma, another possibility could be your dog peeing in its bed while it sleeps.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) can cause your dog to suffer from some urinary incontinence which means that the dog can’t hold its pee in at night.
Dogs that have urinary tract infections will show signs of peeing more frequently than usual. It will also be painful for the dog when it tries to pee and blood in the urine is a common symptom.
A UTI needs to be medically treated at the vet with some antibiotics to fill off the bacteria in your dog’s urinary system.
Can Female Dogs Have Wet Dreams?
Although not as commonly seen in female dogs, it is also possible for a female dog to have a wet dream. It might not happen as frequently as in a male dog due to the lower level of testosterone in females but there is enough testosterone to cause a wet dream.
Female dogs do not ejaculate like male dogs so the visual cues might not be so obvious. But a female dog that is aroused will produce more lubrication in its vagina which might be seen as a discharge. That is when you might notice your female dog leaking some clear fluid.