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My dog sleeps so deeply, twitches, and goes limp. Is this normal?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 8 years and 2 months old | 4 lbs

She was sleeping & I heard her exhale hardly 3 times & I looked at her & her eye looked like it was twitching/blinking. I lifted her & she went limp. Then I knocked on the headboard & she jumped up like nothing was wrong. Why does she do this sometimes? I notice it's when she's sleeping very deeply & not curled up in a ball. She's usually a light sleeper & every noise wakes her but sometimes she sleeps so deeply it scares me but doesn't seem to bother her

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 24th, 2017

His doesn't sound like anything to be concerned about. She is getting older so it is udnerstandsble that she may not rouse as easily as she once did in her younger years.
Also the description of events suggest she was having very vivid dreams and the eye twitching is normal when a pet is asleep. This is an indication of REM sleep.
Also pets are often limp when they are completely asleep.
However if you still are concerned about Precious, then there are no issues with taking her in to your vet for a standard physical exam to ensure she is in healthy condition.
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