Can cats have nightmares? Bad dreams?

[Silke]

Was watching a movie, Pixie rolled up in the sleeping bag beside me, when she suddenly started to cry out loudly.
She was asleep, but it sounded like she was in distress. I reached in, in case she caught a claw again (even though they are clipped atm) and she started and then started washing like mad.
She was all sweaty, which leads me to think she had a bad dream. I'm guessing they can have nightmares too.
It wasn't long, or persistent, and no indication of anything physically wrong with her.
Just wondered if anyone ever came across that.
(She is, after all, a kind of rescue.)

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Yes, mine usually grunt and twitch their paws. Studies show it is pretty common just like in humans. It can be pretty intense like you mention.

 

[Lynn W]

Yes, they can have nightmares. I've had a cat in the past that would jump up and run across the room and still be asleep...he was a goofy kid.

 

[Sheldon13]

Yep it’s true. Pretty sure all mammals dream.


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[Toa and Ross]

I know Min @Xandria does have a lot of nightmares.

 

[Silke]

Thanks guys. It was just very disturbing to hear her like this. I thought something is really wrong, then I realized she's asleep.

 

[Jocy24]

There have been 3-4 times that Buffy has meowed in her sleep. It sounds creaky and weird so I flipped up the blanket and she was still asleep.