My dog keeps crying in sleep. Is this normal or a health issue?

Dream bahaviour patterns can be very varied and a wide range of sounds and movements can be considered as normal (as can open or blinking eyes). I recommend you video the episodes and ask your vet or vet nurse to review them if you are concerned

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If Vito is acting 100% normal during the day: eating, drinking, playful, not limping, jumping and not crying out and ONLY is whimpering and crying when asleep then it is normal. Dogs dream like we do. My dog, a few times a week, will wake me up at night crying in his sleep and either moving his legs or jerking his body. I hope this helps! If he otherwise not normal during the day or is awake and crying out I recommend an exam with your Vet. I wish you and Vito the very best!

It could certainly be normal, and if she's otherwise normal, my guess is that it's nothing. My recommendation would be to take a couple videos and show them to your vet at your next visit to see what they think.

Yes, it may be seizure related but i would be concerned it may also be due to pain and spasms. I recommend you video the episodes if they happen again and show them to your vet. I would be concerned that this could be progressive

Hi there and thanks for your post. It is not uncommon for puppies as well as dogs to dream. Sometimes they can howl or cry/whimper in their sleep when they are experiencing a dream. As far as tear production goes, dogs do not cry (produce tears when upset or for emotional reasons) like we do. I hope this helps and thanks for posting on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

It is normal for dogs to go someone limp and have rapid eye movement while in deep sleep, just like with people. In some cases, you may see your dog whimper or even twitch their limbs if they are dreaming or deep in REM. If your pup seems in distress, or this happens often or when she isn't asleep, a vet checkup is always a good idea.

If he is otherwise normal I'm not concerned. He may be stressed from moving to a new home or dreaming. If it was a seizure you would notice him going from normal to having muscle spasms, then getting back to normal in a few minutes. It's a good idea to video the behavior and write down when it occurs so you have a history to discuss with your veterinarian should it get worse. I like to write down the episodes on a calendar so I can go back and check the frequency. Willis may stop this as he becomes settled in your house and as he gets older. If he appears agitated, weak or ill please take him right in for an exam. You may want to double check with his breeder to see if any other pups or the parents are doing this. Cavaliers do get heart disease, but usually when they are old, and purebred dogs can get epilepsy but seizures often don't start until they are six months to a year old. Again I would just watch him to make sure there are no other symptoms. Enjoy your new puppy! I love Cavaliers, it's a fun, gentle and loving breed. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Willis.