Inside the ‘Hunting Brain’: The Fascinating Reason Your Cat Kicks While Sleeping

Quick Take

• Rapid Cycles: Unlike humans who dream every 90 minutes, cats enter REM sleep every 20–25 minutes, leading to frequent “sleep-running.”
• Memory Storage: Kicking isn’t just a glitch; it’s a vital process where your cat’s brain stores memories and “practices” hunting skills.
• The “Chase” is Real: Because cat dreams are based on their daily senses, those twitching paws are likely a direct reaction to a dream-version of a laser pointer or a bird.
• Evolutionary Roots: These “sleep-naps” have been a part of feline development for over 10,000 years.

Just like we do, our pets dream in their own unique ways. While we may not know what they dream about, silly movements while sleeping can give us some pretty funny ideas. Cats are a perfect example. As seen in this Instagram reel by @brownhikingtrails, cats seem to be on the chase in their dreams. Read here to learn more about how cats dream!

Cats Dreaming

Cats are famous for their calm and reserved behavior, unless they have the zoomies. They are also known for their sleepy natures, taking naps throughout the day. So the video linked above may be a bit surprising given that the cat is flicking its paws back and forth like it’s running in its dreams. This silly moment was definitely social media-worthy, given the cat’s sporadic and hilarious movements. I can only imagine that the cat is dreaming about chasing a mouse or a bird. Its legs kick back forcefully, as if it’s running through a vast field with the wind blowing through its fur, before finally catching its prey.

Similar to humans, cats most likely dream about their day. Since we can’t ask cats directly, we can only guess what they might dream about. Dreams for cats most likely reflect their senses and their activities. They may dream about playing with their toys, chasing a laser, or relaxing with their owner. While we don’t know if their dreams are as absurd as humans’, it’s fun to think that cats may dream about their owners.

How Do Cats Dream?

It is thought that cats dream due to sleep cycles similar to those of humans. Humans go through REM sleep, transitioning from light sleep to deep sleep and vivid dreaming. Thanks to our knowledge of brain activity during sleep, it has been observed that cats have similar patterns to humans. Cats typically enter REM sleep about every 20 to 25 minutes, whereas humans complete a REM cycle about every 90 minutes. Dreams are not just a fun part of sleep; they have practical purposes as well! For example, dreaming helps mammals store memories from the day. Dreaming can also help with learning, such as improving hunting skills in cats. This makes dreaming—and cat naps—very important for their development.